About All ToursSelf Guided Audio ToursFrom Moab ToursTours for SeniorsAnd Canyonlands Tours Directions Hours & Fees
Find Tours 
Private vehicles are the only way to navigate the 36-mile roundtrip scenic road inside the park boundaries. Drivers reach the main entrance by heading five miles north from Moab on US Highway 191.
US Highway 191, Moab, UT
Drive north on US Highway 191 for five miles to reach the park entrance. The road connects directly to the 36-mile roundtrip scenic drive, the only route for viewing major rock formations. Ensure your gas tank is completely full before leaving town. The park operates zero gas stations inside its boundaries. Parking lots at major trailheads often fill up early during peak summer months. When lots reach capacity, rangers temporarily restrict entry for three to five hours.
Exit Interstate 70 at Crescent Junction and drive south on US Highway 191 for 22 miles. This straight desert route drops you at the main entrance gate. Advanced timed-entry reservations are not required for 2026, allowing arrival at any hour. Vehicles wait in the same entrance line as traffic arriving from Moab. Have a backup plan ready for nearby Dead Horse Point State Park or Canyonlands if Arches temporarily closes due to full parking lots.
Pedal north from Moab along US Highway 191 for five miles to the entry gate. Bicyclists pay a reduced entry fee of $15.00 and bypass vehicle queues at the booths. Inside, riders share the steep, 36-mile roundtrip scenic drive with cars and large RVs. There are no dedicated bike lanes. Carry at least one gallon of water per person to survive the exposed high desert terrain. Drinking water flows only at the visitor center and the Devils Garden trailhead.
Book a guided tour leaving from Moab to navigate the park without driving. No public transportation or shuttle system operates inside Arches. Commercial operators drive the 36-mile scenic route and drop visitors directly at paved viewpoints or trailheads. This eliminates the stress of finding parking in crowded lots at popular sites like Delicate Arch. Guides handle the navigation while you focus on the red rock landscape. Commercial tours remain the only non-driving option for exploring the park's interior.
Trailhead parking lots inside the park are covered by the $30 vehicle entrance fee. During peak summer months, these spaces fill completely, triggering temporary park closures that last three to five hours. Wheelchair-accessible spots sit near the barrier-free first 100 yards of the Windows Trail.
| From | Mode | Time | Cost | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moab, Utah | Private vehicle | 10 minutes | $30.00 per vehicle | Drive five miles north on US Highway 191 directly to the park entrance. |
| Interstate 70 (Crescent Junction) | Private vehicle | 22-mile drive | $30.00 per vehicle | Head south on US Highway 191 to reach the main gates. |
| Canyonlands National Park | Private vehicle | 30 minutes | $30.00 per vehicle | Cross Highway 191 to enter Arches before 8:00 a.m. to avoid temporary parking closures. |
| Dead Horse Point State Park | Private vehicle | 30 minutes | $30.00 per vehicle | Arrive at the park gates after 3:00 p.m. to bypass the heaviest traffic and long entrance lines. |
| Capitol Reef National Park | Private vehicle | 3 hours | $30.00 per vehicle | Fill your gas tank completely before leaving; Arches contains zero fuel stations along its 36-mile scenic route. |
Enter the park before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid heavy traffic and temporary closures. Trailhead parking lots fill quickly during peak summer months, causing three to five-hour entry restrictions. Keep Dead Horse Point State Park or Canyonlands National Park ready as 30-minute backup destinations.
Save the official NPS App maps to your phone before leaving Moab. Cellular service drops completely across most of the park's 76,679 acres of high desert terrain. You cannot rely on live GPS to navigate the 36-mile scenic drive or locate trailheads.
Fill your vehicle's gas tank in Moab before driving the five miles north on US Highway 191 to the entrance. The park has zero gas stations inside. Running out of fuel on the 36-mile roundtrip scenic road means waiting for help in an area without cell service.
Bring at least one gallon (4 liters) of water per person for the day. You can only refill bottles at the Arches Visitor Center and the Devils Garden trailhead. Dehydration sets in rapidly when hiking the exposed slickrock trails in 100°F summer heat.
You do not need an advanced timed-entry reservation to drive into Arches National Park in 2026. Vehicles can pass through the gates 24 hours a day, year-round. Prepare to pay $30.00 per private vehicle or $25.00 for a motorcycle at the entrance.
Drive five miles north of Moab on US Highway 191 to reach the main entrance. Approaching from Interstate 70 at Crescent Junction requires a 22-mile drive south on the same highway. The trip from Moab takes about 10 minutes.
Advanced timed-entry reservations are not required for 2026. You can arrive at any time during the park's 24-hour operating window. Rangers will temporarily divert vehicles for three to five hours if parking lots reach capacity.
A standard private vehicle pass costs $30.00 and covers up to 15 passengers for seven days. Motorcyclists pay $25.00, while pedestrians and cyclists pay $15.00 each. Youth aged 15 and under enter for free.
No public transportation or shuttle service operates inside Arches. You must navigate the 36-mile roundtrip scenic drive using a private vehicle, bicycle, or commercial tour. Gas is not sold inside the park boundaries, so fill your tank in Moab before arriving.
Enter before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. to avoid long entrance lines. Midday arrivals during the peak summer months of June, July, and August face congested roads and completely full trailhead parking lots. Have a backup plan like Dead Horse Point State Park ready in case of temporary gate closures.
Cellular service is extremely unreliable or entirely non-existent across most of the rugged terrain. Download the official NPS App and save the park maps for offline use while you still have a signal in Moab. This ensures you can navigate the scenic drive and locate trailheads without a connection.
Drinking water flows at only two locations inside the park: the Arches Visitor Center and the Devils Garden trailhead. You must carry at least one gallon of water per person daily to survive the high desert heat. The visitor center operates daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except on Christmas Day.
Browse verified tours with free cancellation and instant confirmation.
Find Tours