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Arches National Park

Arches National Park and Canyonlands Tours

4.7 (207 reviews)

Explore the stunning red rock landscapes of Utah with combo tours covering both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Choose from flexible self-guided GPS audio drives, thrilling 4x4 backcountry adventures, or scenic airplane flights.

🎧 Self-guided GPS audio tours
✈️ Scenic airplane flight options
🚙 Off-road 4x4 adventures
📅 Free 24-hour cancellation
Canyonlands and Arches Combo National Park Airplane Tour Free Cancellation
4.9 (110) ⏱ 1h 20min

Canyonlands and Arches Combo National Park Airplane Tour

An 80-minute flight over Arches and Canyonlands, featuring Delicate Arch and the remote districts of the Maze and Needles.

Arches and Canyonlands NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Bundle Tour Free Cancellation
4.4 (69)

Arches and Canyonlands NP Self-Guided Driving Audio Bundle Tour

Explore the red rock arches and canyon vistas of Moab with this self-guided audio tour for your vehicle.

Self Guided Audio Tour in Arches and Canyonlands Free Cancellation
4.6 (16)

Self Guided Audio Tour in Arches and Canyonlands

Explore Arches and Canyonlands with a GPS audio guide that narrates the scenery and history as you drive.

Moab Bundle: Arches Canyonlands, and La Sal Self-Guided Tours Free Cancellation
4.5 (11) ⏱ 72h

Moab Bundle: Arches Canyonlands, and La Sal Self-Guided Tours

Experience Arches, Canyonlands, and the La Sal Mountains with three GPS-guided audio tours that play as you drive.

Moab Utah Arches and Canyonlands National Park Tour Free Cancellation
5.0 (1)

Moab Utah Arches and Canyonlands National Park Tour

Explore iconic arches and deep canyons on a trip that combines paved scenic drives with rugged 4x4 backcountry trails.

What Visitors Say

Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Arches National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.

M
Mark H. Australia, Feb 2026
4.7

"GuideAlong is an absolute must if you're driving yourself. The narrator feels like a buddy sitting in the passenger seat. We got to the park at 7 AM to beat the crowds, and the app guided us perfectly to the Devils Garden trailhead before the lot filled up."

J
James L. United Kingdom, Jan 2026
4.9

"We booked the private 4x4 tour and it was worth every penny. Our guide took us down dirt tracks we'd never risk in our rental car. They provided plenty of cold water and snacks, which was crucial because the afternoon heat was no joke."

S
Sarah T. Canada, Oct 2025
5.0

"The airplane combo tour was the highlight of our Utah trip. Seeing Delicate Arch and the massive canyons of Island in the Sky from above gave us a perspective you just can't get from the road. The 80 minutes flew by, and the pilot's commentary was super interesting."

D
David M. United States, Sep 2025
4.8

"Downloaded the Shaka Guide bundle on our hotel wifi in Moab before heading out. It worked flawlessly offline! The GPS triggered the stories right as we pulled up to Balanced Rock and the Windows Section. Saved us a ton of money compared to a private guide."

E
Elena R. Spain, Sep 2025
4.5

"Used the Action Tour Guide app for both Arches and Canyonlands. It was really easy to connect to the car's Bluetooth. I loved learning about the ancient inland seas and how the salt beds formed the arches. Just remember to buy your park pass at the gate!"

L
Linda C. United States, Jun 2025
5.0

"My husband uses a wheelchair, so hiking the 3-mile slickrock trail to Delicate Arch wasn't an option. The scenic flight tour was the perfect solution. The staff was incredibly accommodating, and we got to see Angel Arch and Wedding Band Arch without breaking a sweat."

What to Expect on Your Arches National Park and Canyonlands Tour

Exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks offers a front-row seat to some of the most striking high-desert landscapes on Earth. Whether you are driving the scenic routes with a GPS-triggered audio guide, taking a thrilling 4x4 backcountry tour, or soaring above the red rock formations in an airplane, you will experience a world of towering sandstone spires, deep river-carved canyons, and over 2,000 natural stone arches.

🥾

Delicate Arch

The most famous freestanding arch in the park stands 46 feet tall. Hikers can tackle the 3-mile slickrock trail for an up-close view framed by the La Sal Mountains.

🪟

The Windows Section

An easily accessible area featuring massive formations like the North Window and Turret Arch. A short trail lets you stand directly inside a 90-foot-wide stone opening.

🪨

Balanced Rock

A gravity-defying geological wonder where a giant sandstone boulder sits precariously on a mudstone pedestal. You can walk the flat 0.3-mile paved loop right around its base.

🏜️

Landscape Arch

Located in the rugged Devils Garden area, this incredibly thin ribbon of rock is one of the longest natural stone spans in the world, reached via a relatively easy 1.6-mile walk.

🏙️

Park Avenue

A spectacular canyon flanked by towering, skyscraper-like walls. The trail descends to the canyon floor, giving you a massive sense of scale next to the Courthouse Towers.

🦅

Canyonlands Vistas

Often paired with Arches tours, this neighboring park features massive canyons carved by the Colorado River. Scenic flights and audio tours highlight its vast Island in the Sky district.

Things to Know Before Booking

Before you secure your Moab adventure, it helps to understand the different ways you can explore these massive parks and what logistics you need to prepare for.

Tour Types Available

You can choose from self-guided GPS audio apps for your own vehicle, 80-minute scenic airplane flights, or premium guided tours that combine paved roads with unpaved 4x4 tracks.

Park Entrance Fees

Most tours, especially self-guided audio apps, do not include the national park entrance fee. You will need to pay $30.00 per private vehicle at the gate, which is valid for seven days.

Audio Tour Logistics

Cell service is virtually non-existent in the parks. If you buy an audio tour, you must download the app and the tour content over strong WiFi before you leave your hotel.

Accessibility Options

Airplane tours are a fantastic way for visitors with mobility issues to see the rugged backcountry. On the ground, the scenic drive and trails like Park Avenue and the first 100 yards of the Windows Trail are wheelchair-accessible.

Timed Entry Rules

In 2026, advanced timed-entry reservations are no longer required to enter Arches. However, parking lots fill up fast, and rangers may temporarily restrict entry for 3 to 5 hours during peak times.

What to Pack

Even if you are just driving, bring at least one gallon of water per person per day. Dress in layers, wear sturdy hiking shoes with good tread for slickrock, and pack serious sun protection.

Cancellation Policies

Most guided and flight tours offer a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure time. Audio tours are usually a one-time purchase with lifetime access.

Strict Park Rules

Drones are completely banned in the parks. Pets are not allowed on any hiking trails, and climbing or scrambling on the natural arches is strictly illegal.

Which Arches National Park and Canyonlands Tour Is Best for You?

Self-Guided Audio BundleAirplane Combo TourGuided 4x4 & Paved Tour
Tour Type GPS Smartphone AppScenic FlightIn-person Guided Tour
Best For Independent travelers, families, budget tripsSeeing remote arches, accessibility, photographyDeep backcountry access, hands-free relaxing
Includes Offline maps, location-triggered audio stories, lifetime access80-minute flight, live pilot commentary, headsetsExpert guide, 4x4 transport, lunch, snacks, water
Price From $21.24$480.00$1,095.00

Plan Your Visit to Arches National Park

Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, allowing for excellent sunrise, sunset, and stargazing opportunities.

The Arches Visitor Center operates daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. throughout the year. The only day the visitor center closes is Christmas Day (December 25).

Keep in mind that while the park is open 24/7, entrance gates may be temporarily closed for 3 to 5 hours during peak midday hours if parking lots reach capacity.

Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah. The main entrance is situated just 5 miles north of Moab, Utah along US Highway 191.

If you are driving down from Interstate 70 (at Crescent Junction), you will head south on US-191 for about 22 miles to reach the park gates.

  • Public Transit: There is no public transportation or shuttle system operating inside the park.
  • Navigation: Visitors must use their own private vehicles, bicycles, or book a commercial tour to navigate the 36-mile roundtrip scenic drive.

Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district) is located about 30 minutes away, just across Highway 191, making it easy to visit both parks on the same trip.

The absolute best months to visit are during the transitional seasons of late spring (April to May) and early fall (September to October). Daytime temperatures are highly comfortable for hiking, and the skies are generally clear.

Months to Avoid: The peak summer months of June, July, and August bring extreme heat, with daytime temperatures frequently exceeding 100°F (37°C). This makes strenuous hiking dangerous. Summer also brings massive crowds and sudden afternoon thunderstorms that carry a risk of flash floods and lightning.

Time of Day: To avoid long entrance lines and full parking lots, plan to enter the park before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m.

Arches National Park offers several excellent options for visitors with mobility needs:

  • Scenic Drive: The 36-mile roundtrip paved road provides spectacular views of major formations directly from your vehicle.
  • Accessible Trails: The first 100 yards of the Windows Trail is barrier-free. The Park Avenue Trail viewpoint and the Balanced Rock loop (0.3 miles) are also flat and easy to navigate.
  • Visitor Center: Fully accessible, featuring tactile maps, audio description devices, and braille guides.

Elderly visitors or those with mobility impairments should avoid strenuous trails like the 3-mile Delicate Arch hike, which features steep elevation gains and uneven slickrock.

Services inside the park are extremely limited, so preparation is key.

  • Drinking Water: Available at only two locations: the Arches Visitor Center and the Devils Garden trailhead. You must bring your own water bottles and carry at least one gallon per person per day.
  • Gas and Food: There are no gas stations, restaurants, or food vendors inside the park. Fill your tank in Moab before entering.
  • Camping: The park has one campground, the 50-site Devils Garden Campground. It is highly competitive and requires reservations up to six months in advance.
  • Cell Service: Cellular coverage is extremely spotty or completely unavailable across most of the park. Download maps and audio tours beforehand.

To protect the fragile desert ecosystem, Arches enforces strict regulations:

  • No Climbing: Climbing, walking, or scrambling on any natural sandstone arch or prominent feature like Balanced Rock is strictly prohibited.
  • Stay on the Trail: Stepping off marked trails destroys the living biological soil crust, which takes decades to recover. Stick to bare rock, designated paths, or sandy washes.
  • Pets: Dogs and other pets are strictly prohibited on all hiking trails. They are only allowed on leashes in parking lots and along paved roads.
  • Prohibited Items: Drones, ATVs, and OHVs are banned. For night photography, "light painting" (using artificial lights to illuminate rock features) is illegal to preserve the Dark Sky Park status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the audio driving tours include the park entrance fee?

No, self-guided audio tours do not include your park admission. You will need to purchase a standard private vehicle entrance pass for $30.00 at the gate, which is valid for seven days.

Do I need a timed-entry reservation to visit Arches National Park?

In 2026, advanced timed-entry reservations are not required to enter Arches. However, you should arrive before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m., as the park will temporarily close the gates for a few hours if parking lots become completely full.

Will the GPS audio tours work without cell service?

Yes. Cell service is practically non-existent in the park, so you must download the tour app and the specific tour data over WiFi before you arrive. Once downloaded, the app uses your phone's internal GPS to trigger stories offline.

Can I bring my dog on a hiking tour in Arches?

No, dogs and other pets are strictly prohibited on all hiking trails in Arches National Park. They are only permitted on a leash in parking lots and along the paved scenic roads.

How long does a typical driving tour of Arches take?

A basic driving tour of the 36-mile scenic road with short walks to viewpoints takes about 3 hours to half a day. If you want to do longer hikes, like the Devils Garden or Delicate Arch trails, plan for 1 to 2 full days.

Are there accessible tour options for wheelchair users?

Yes. Airplane tours provide an incredible, accessible way to see the backcountry. On the ground, the audio driving tours are perfect, as the park features a paved scenic drive and accessible viewpoints like the Park Avenue Trail and the first 100 yards of the Windows Trail.

Can we climb the arches during our tour?

Absolutely not. Climbing, walking, or scrambling on any natural sandstone arch or prominent feature like Balanced Rock is strictly prohibited and carries penalties. This protects both the fragile sandstone and visitor safety.

Is food or water provided on the tours?

Premium in-person tours, like the $1,095 4x4 guided tour, include lunch, snacks, and bottled water. However, audio tours and airplane flights do not provide food or water. You must bring at least one gallon of water per person daily, as water is only available at the visitor center and Devils Garden.

What should I wear for a park tour?

Dress in versatile layers, as desert temperatures swing dramatically between chilly mornings and scorching afternoons. Avoid cotton; wear quick-dry clothing, sturdy hiking footwear with good tread for slickrock, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.

What happens if it rains during an airplane tour?

All flight times are approximate and subject to weather conditions. If heavy summer storms or high winds make flying unsafe, the operator will typically offer to reschedule your flight or provide a full refund.

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