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.
Free Cancellation An 80-minute flight over Arches and Canyonlands, featuring Delicate Arch and the remote districts of the Maze and Needles.
Free Cancellation Explore the red rock arches and canyon vistas of Moab with this self-guided audio tour for your vehicle.
Free Cancellation Explore Arches and Canyonlands with a GPS audio guide that narrates the scenery and history as you drive.
Free Cancellation Experience Arches, Canyonlands, and the La Sal Mountains with three GPS-guided audio tours that play as you drive.
Free Cancellation Explore iconic arches and deep canyons on a trip that combines paved scenic drives with rugged 4x4 backcountry trails.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Arches National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
| Self-Guided Audio Bundle | Airplane Combo Tour | Guided 4x4 & Paved Tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour Type | GPS Smartphone App | Scenic Flight | In-person Guided Tour |
| Best For | Independent travelers, families, budget trips | Seeing remote arches, accessibility, photography | Deep backcountry access, hands-free relaxing |
| Includes | Offline maps, location-triggered audio stories, lifetime access | 80-minute flight, live pilot commentary, headsets | Expert guide, 4x4 transport, lunch, snacks, water |
| Price From | $21.24 | $480.00 | $1,095.00 |
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.
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:
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.
To protect the fragile desert ecosystem, Arches enforces strict regulations:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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