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Arches National Park operates 24 hours a day, year-round, with a standard entry fee of $30 per private vehicle. The main visitor center opens daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closing only on Christmas Day.
Arches National Park remains open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Arches Visitor Center operates daily from 09:00 to 16:00. Rangers often temporarily restrict vehicle entry for three to five hours during peak summer months when trailhead parking lots reach capacity.
| Day | Hours | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Sunday | 24 hours | Visitor Center open 09:00–16:00 |
The park grounds and roads remain open on all public holidays. The Arches Visitor Center closes completely on December 25 for Christmas Day. No other holiday closures affect the facility.
A standard seven-day entrance pass costs $30 per private vehicle and covers all occupants. Motorcyclists pay $25 at the gate. Pedestrians and cyclists pay $15 per person, while youth aged 15 and under enter free.
No regular free entry days, though youth aged 15 and under are always admitted for free.
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View All ToursVisit during late spring (April to May) or early fall (September to October) to avoid 100-degree summer heat. Mild temperatures during these months allow for safe hiking across the exposed slickrock. Summer brings massive crowds, long entrance lines, and full parking lots that often force temporary closures.
Plan for three hours to half a day to drive the 36-mile scenic road and complete short walks. Exploring the backcountry or tackling longer trails requires one to two full days. Your timeline depends heavily on whether you stick to paved viewpoints or hike the eight-mile Devils Garden Trail.
Enter the park before 8:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. to skip long vehicle queues. Summer crowds often fill trailhead parking early, forcing rangers to restrict entry for three to five hours. Keep Dead Horse Point State Park or Canyonlands on your itinerary as immediate backup options.
Advanced timed-entry reservations are not required for 2026. Pay the $30.00 private vehicle fee directly at the entrance booth. This pass covers up to 15 passengers and grants unlimited access for seven consecutive days.
Pack one gallon of water per person for daily use. The park only provides drinking fountains at the visitor center and the Devils Garden trailhead. Top off your gas tank in Moab before driving the 36-mile roundtrip scenic route.
Save the Arches National Park maps for offline use on the official NPS App before leaving Moab. Cellular service drops to zero across most of the rugged slickrock terrain. Tell someone your specific hiking itinerary and expected return time before starting a trail.
Wear quick-dry clothing and leave cotton shirts at home. Sturdy hiking footwear with deep tread is mandatory for gripping uneven, steep sandstone surfaces. Pack versatile layers to handle rapid temperature shifts between the 4,085-foot visitor center and the 5,653-foot summit of Elephant Butte.
Standard private vehicle passes cost $30.00 and remain valid for seven days. Motorcycles enter for $25.00, while individual bicyclists and pedestrians pay $15.00 per person. Frequent visitors can purchase the $55.00 Southeast Utah Group Annual Pass or the $80.00 America the Beautiful Pass.
Advanced timed-entry reservations are not required for 2026. You can enter at any time during operating hours. Park rangers will temporarily divert vehicles for three to five hours if parking lots reach capacity.
Arches National Park stays open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Staff operate the Arches Visitor Center daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Doors lock on December 25.
April through May and September through October offer comfortable daytime temperatures for hiking. Peak summer months of June, July, and August push temperatures past 100°F (37°C). Trailhead parking lots completely fill early during these hot months, causing long entrance lines.
Faucets flow at only two locations: the Arches Visitor Center and the Devils Garden trailhead. You must carry at least one gallon of water per person daily. Dehydration strikes rapidly in the high desert, even during cooler winter months.
Overnight backcountry use requires a $7 per person permit, obtained in person at the Moab Backcountry Permit Office up to seven days in advance. Reserving a spot at the 50-site Devils Garden Campground requires booking up to six months ahead. This campground completely fills throughout the busy season.
Dogs cannot walk on any hiking trails within the park boundaries. You may only take pets on leashed walks through parking lots and along paved roads. Backcountry paths and natural sandstone formations remain completely off-limits to animals.
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