Arches National Park is one of five National Parks in Utah. It is known for containing over 2,000 different arches and its beautiful red rock formations. Located only 3 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City it is a great spot for an adventurous weekend getaway. So here is the perfect Itinerary for 2 days in Arches National Park.
My younger brother Timothy is 2 years younger than me and is one of the most adventurous, outdoorsy people I know. He invited me to visit Arches National Park with some friends of his I couldn’t turn it down. Although I have lived in Utah for nearly 6 years now I have only visited two of the five National Parks.
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Peak Season in Arches National Park
The park is open year round, 24 hours a day. It costs $30 per vehicle to get in and the pass is good for seven days. You can also buy a year long Southeast Utah Parks pass for only $55 dollars. Or the America the Beautiful pass gets you into all U.S. National Parks for only $80 a year.
It is very hot in the summer, about 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cold in the winter with the possibility of snow and ice. Be careful and stay hydrated.
High season or peak season is from March through October with it being most busy during school breaks when kids are off from school. So spring break, summer break, and fall break. The park can get full during peak season and they will limit the number of cars that enter. Getting to the park before 8 am can prevent this or coming in after 3 pm after other families have started leaving.
If you can’t make it into the park there is a cool arch hike alternative that you can do that I will tell you all about below!
Where To Stay in Arches National Park
Arches National Park in located about 10-15 minutes from a small town called Moab. In Moab you will find an abundance of hotels and a few resorts throughout the town in a variety of price ranges.
We stayed in an Airbnb which was a great price (I think about $132 a night and slept 10 people). So there is sure to be something in your price range and style. If you are new to Airbnb you can use this link for $55 dollars off your first stay!
Camping in Arches National Park
If you prefer to camp there are 51 campsites inside the park located in Devil’s Garden. You can book these in advance and they do fill up. The Moab Adventure site has more information and the link to book if you are interested.
Booking.comHikes in Arches National Park
Devil’s Garden
Devil’s Garden is the the last hike on the 18 mile road through Arches National Park. It is a large area that houses the only campsites in the park. The trail in Devil’s Garden is a large area that includes several arches such as Landscape Arch. The 4th longest arch in the world at 306 ft.
Further along on the trail you can also see the Double O Arch which is beautiful. This will also connect you to the Primitive Trail a 7.2 mile loop that takes you through Arches National Park backcountry.
From the trailhead to Landscape Arch is a 1.6 mile long hike that is easy, great for families and on a gravel trail the whole way. It ends with a beautiful and rewarding view and takes about 1 hour.
From Landscape Arch to Double O Arch is a 4.5 mile hike that is considered difficult. It would not be ideal for families with young kids. But it does have the most incredible views and ends in a stunning double arch.
From Double O Arch you can either return the way you came or complete the Primitive trail which is 7.2 miles long and is also considered difficult. It is a great hike for anyone wanting something a little more adventurous
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is arguably the most famous arch in the world due to its unique free standing formation. It is pictured on the Utah license plate and is truly a beautiful place to visit.
We hiked this trail twice while we were there. Once during the day and once at night to see it under the moon and stars. It was unique both times and definitely a must see during your 2 days in Arches National Park.
The hike to Delicate Arch is 3 miles and is considered a difficult hike. Although it is rated difficult we saw many families hiking with young children all the way to the top.
Fiery Furnace
Fiery Furnace is a unique area of the park that requires a permit to hike. You can obtain a permit at the visitors center and it costs $6 per person for groups up to 10 people. If you have a group larger than 10 people you can simply get multiple permits and split your group up on paper.
The Fiery Furnace is so unique because there is no set trail to hike. There is a rough trail to follow but you are encouraged to go off and find your own way. You will encounter dead ends but you will also get to explore and climb through a desert wilderness.
Because a permit is required to enter and they limit the number of people that go into the Fiery Furnace each day it feels like you have the place to yourself. We hiked here for almost 7 hours one day and only saw one other group while we were there. I highly recommend going if you have the chance.
Balanced Rock
If you have some spare time and want to see something quickly then Balanced Rock is the perfect place to go. This surprising rock formation will leave you wondering how these rocks form and if they are going to fall at any second.
Balanced Rock is a short (0.3 mile) loop trail that takes you around the base of this rock formation. Very easy for kids or anyone with tired legs that isn’t ready to be done for the day.
Corona Arch (Arches National Park Alternative)
Corona Arch is a beautiful partially freestanding arch and the perfect alternative to the National Park if it is full or you want to avoid the crowds. The trail head is located about an hour from the entrance to Arches National Park.
The very first time I tried to visit Arches National Park several years ago the park was full and the wait to get in was several hours long. When looking up alternatives I found this hike and it ended up being a very fun experience.
The hike is 1.5 miles (3 miles round trip) and is moderately difficult. There is a section that made me nervous because of the height but they have chains and ladders to help you get through so it is not that difficult.
The trail is dog friendly but be sure that your dog is ok with heights first. I do not think my dog would do well on this trail because he hates heights.
More to Do in Utah:
- One Day in St. George, Utah
- Visiting Sand Dunes in Utah at Little Sahara
- Guide to Goblin Valley State Park, UT
- Adventurous Day Trips from Salt Lake City, UT
What to Bring
Hiking Boots or Tennis Shoes
Although Arches National Park does contain several easy hikes it also contains several more difficult ones. You are still going to want good shoes to hike in that are comfortable, have good traction, and you are ok walking in all day long. Hiking boots are going to give you added ankle support which can be helpful but tennis shoes will also work just fine in Arches.
Compact Hydration Backpack
It is very important to stay hydrated while you are hiking around but it will be extremely uncomfortable and more difficult to bring a large backpack (like I did). You also will not want to be carrying anything in your hands or pockets because you will most likely lose anything that falls and you’ll often need your hands on the more difficult hikes. The best solution is a small hydration backpack that has a couple small pockets.
What to Eat
To keep cost down and to limit the time you spend driving around I suggest bringing food in with you.
We made breakfast in our Airbnb both mornings, something hearty like pancakes and eggs that kept us full for a few hours.
Then for lunch we brought in sandwich supplies, chips and fruit. It was simple and easy. You can get the supplies before you drive down or from a grocery story in Moab. We kept all the supplies in the trunk of the car and then in between hikes at lunch time we would make sandwiches and fuel up. This saved a lot of time and gas money because we didn’t have to drive back into town for food.
The only time we ate out was for dinners. If you are looking for a delicious burger and milkshake after a day of hiking I highly suggest Milt’s Stop and Eat. It has been around since 1954 and they are open from 11-7:30. The burgers are very good and definitely hit the spot. The raspberry milkshake was my favorite but the thin mint milk shake was also delicious!
Helpful Tips
- Arches National Park is not dog friendly. You cannot hike with them on the trails on or off leash.
- Since the entrance fee is per car it is a smart idea to carpool and cut down as much as possible on the number of cars you bring in. This will also keep it open for more people to get in in a day and help with parking.
2 Days in Arches National Park
So there you have it, if you only have 2 days in Arches National Park this is a great way to spend your time. There are so many wonderful hikes and things to see even if you pick different hikes than we did I have no doubt you will enjoy your time in Arches National Park.
Utah has so much to offer. Only 34 minutes from Moab and Arches National Park is another park called Canyonlands National Park that is supposed to be beautiful. There is of course also Northern Utah and Salt Lake City. I hope you enjoy your trip and love Arches as much as I did.
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