Do you intend to visit Arches National Park? In this planning guide for Arches National Park, we'll go over what to do and see, how to get there, when to go, and everything else you'll need to know to organize your day in the park.
As we began our road journey through Utah's national parks, we made our way to Arches. Having spent the summer exploring the evergreen woods, alpine lakes, and rocky terrain of Washington and Oregon, we travelled from Denver to Moab in the fall.
Arches National Park: Timed Entry
Arches National Park will begin testing a new timed entrance system in 2022, similar to those already in place at Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park, to manage the massive growth in visitor numbers.
Over the previous decade, the number of people visiting Arches has increased by over 65 per cent, from slightly under a million to well over 1.6 million, as the National Park Service reported.
While we were there during the shoulder season, the park gate was closed from approximately 10:00 am until 2:00 pm owing to overcrowding. The camping reservation we had could have been better.
Arches National Park Timed Entry Reservations
In this section, we'll do our best to explain how to make timed entrance reservations, but keep in mind that requirements might change and that the process can be difficult to follow even when you have all the necessary information.
It is highly recommended that you read it on the NPS website. Also, if you see an error, please let us know so we can correct it. Tickets for a specific month are published in a batch three months in advance, and reservations open up for that month on a rolling three-month basis. That's a lot to take in; we get that.
Tickets for April 2022 went on sale on January 3, 2022, marking the beginning of the blocks. Tickets for May will go on sale on February 1, 2022. tickets for June 2022 will go on sale on March 1. Further, etc.
What To Do Without a Timed Entry Reservation
If you cannot get a timed admission reservation in advance, you have two choices. First, on the day before the event, at 6:00 pm MST, a few tickets go on sale to the general public. If you plan to go to Arches National Park on Wednesday, try to get in by logging on to Recreation.gov at 6:00 pm MST on Tuesday. Second, there is the less-than-ideal option of entering the park before 6:00 am or after 5:00 pm.
A Side Effect of Timed Entry Reservations
After using the timed admission reservation system at both Glacier and Rocky Mountain National Parks over the past three years, we can attest to its fundamental weakness. From what we've gathered, the park is open to the public without charge between 5:00 pm and 6:00 am every day. The NPS needs to find someone at each entry every hour of every day.
Advice for Your Trip to Arches National Park
Before you head out to Arches National Park, you should know a few things. The rest of our Moab plan, which includes Arches, should address any further questions you might have.
Entry Fees
A $35 admission charge or a valid America, the Beautiful Pass is required to visit the park.
Is America The Beautiful Pass Worth it?
The pass is worth the money if you visit three or more parks within a year. The annual fee is $80, and the membership is valid for an entire year from the date of purchase.
Friends, Keep Your Fluids Up!
Because of the high temperatures, it is essential to keep hydrated. Our trusty Platypus water bottles have travelled the world with us, including to Utah, and we couldn't be happier with them.
- Rugged Shoes Are a Must:
You'll need shoes with decent grip because you'll be trekking largely on loose soil and gravel, with some sections along slippery rock faces.
As for footwear, we're big fans of Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes, Keen Hiking Boots, and the Columbia Newton Ridge Boots that Alysha just bought; they're a fantastic blend of design, affordability, and quality.
Take Your Lunch
You should bring your lunch if you want to drive only an hour to Moab for lunch and then back to the park, as there are no restaurants inside the park's boundaries.
