Welcome to the Arches National Park Tour
Discover Utah’s desert’s stunning formations and harsh beauty with this self-guided Arches National Park tour. Learn about iconic formations like Balanced Rock as you drive past, visit famous arches like Delicate Arch, and hike the trails that showcase what makes this place so unique!
About the Tour
Your adventure into the stunning Utah landscape begins at the visitor center by the entrance to Arches National Park. As you set off on your journey, you’ll pass the towering formation of the Three Penguins and the geological Moab Fault, then pausing at Park Avenue. You can admire the formations, colors, and layers here or hike the trail into the park.
Next, you’ll check out the distant snow-capped La Sal mountains, the iconic Three Gossips, and the towering series of formations from the Courthouse Towers to Sheep Rock.
We’ll then continue deeper into the park, admiring the petrified dunes and desert scrub while learning about the native Ute and Paiute tribes, their mythologies and way of life, and their eventual struggle against Spanish invaders and Mormon settlers.
The Arches National Park Tour will bring us to the famous Balanced Rock formation, followed quickly by the two most popular stops: the Windows Arches and Double Arch. You’ll enjoy jumping out and exploring these geological marvels up close.
Then we’ll make our way through Arches’ unique Cache Valley to Delicate Arch, the unrivaled highlight of this park. You can check out the nearby historic Wolfe Ranch and tribal petroglyphs and decide if you want to see the famous arch from a viewpoint or hike closer for the details.
Our adventure continues through the unique Salt Valley of Arches and stunning formations like the Fiery Furnace, Sand Dune Arch, Arches Forest, Skyline Arch, and Tapestry Arch. These are all optional stops and hikes.
Finally, we’ll make our way to the farthest point in the park: the Devil’s Garden. Here, we’ll hop out to visit the famous Landscape Arch as the crowning vista of a surreal landscape.
Note: Because of the inferior cell service at the park, please keep Cellular Data OFF and WiFi ON while touring in the park.
2022 Updates
A new ticketed entry system has been implemented in Arches from 3 April to 3 October. Each private vehicle entering the park will need a Timed Entry Ticket for each day the vehicle will be in the park between 6 am and 5 pm.
The Timed Entry Ticket includes a $2.00 non-refundable reservation fee which is separate from the park entrance fee.
We recommended reserving your tickets well in advance at recreation.gov.
Please note the following:
- Entry tickets to Arches are valid for 1 day for entry
- Entry is possible only during the reserved period of one hour, on the day of entry.
- Post park entry within the one hour window, you are allowed to exist and re-enter anytime during the rest of the day
- A limited number of entry tickets are available and bookable three months in advance.
Park timings
- April – September: 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- October – early November: 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- November: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- December – February: 9:00am – 4:00 p.m.
Starting Point Address: Arches National Park Visitor Center, Arches Entrance Rd, Moab, UT 84532
What You'll See
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Arches Visitor Center
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Three Penguins
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Moab Fault
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Spanish, Mormons, and Park Avenue
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La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
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Three Gossips
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Courthouse Viewpoint
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Petrified Dunes
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Balanced Rock
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Garden of Eden
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The Windows
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Double Arch and the Cove of Caves
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National Park Status & Panorama Point
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Cache Valley & Flash Floods
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Turn Right: Delicate Arch Rd
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Salt Valley
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Fiery Furnace
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Sand Dune Arch
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Conclusion
How It Works
Additional Information
What do we do?
Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!
Lifetime Validity
Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.
No Network Needed
The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.
Not an Entry Ticket
This is not an entry ticket. You may pay the park entrance fee by purchasing an Arches National Park entrance pass upon arrival at the park (Recreation.gov). The park also honors annual or lifetime passes. Valid entrance passes accepted are: Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass, Interagency Annual Pass, Interagency Senior Annual Pass, Interagency Access Pass, Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass, Interagency Volunteer Pass, Interagency Military Pass, Interagency 4th Grade Pass.