Best 2 Days Arches National Park Itinerary

My 2 days Arches National Park itinerary is a bit unusual. Not like most itineraries that started in the morning, mine started in the late afternoon. It is based on our two visits to Arches in early July during the school holidays.

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On our first visit to Arches, we drove from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It took about a 6-hour drive with a few stops to get to Moab, where Arches is located. 

On the second visit, we came from Denver, Colorado. After a few stops, we arrived in Moab after around 5h and 30min drive.

Our first time in Arches was during our road trip to the west from home in North Texas. Besides stopping for gas and lunch, we also stopped at Wilson Arch. Our first sighting of the arch wasn’t even in Arches National Park. It is located around 25 miles outside of Moab on US-191 S. If you come from the same direction as us, it will be on the right-hand side. You just have to make a stop there. Wilson Arch is huge and standing underneath it makes you feel like an ant.

From Denver, we made a quick stop in Vail. Personnel at the Visitor Center suggested we visit Betty Ford Alpine Gardens since we only had one hour to spend in Vail. And we were not disappointed at all. The garden was gorgeous and the summer weather in Colorado mountain town was nice!

On this Arches National Park 2-day itinerary, I try to give you a reference to some of the best arches in the park. Arches that you must see on your first time in Arches National Park. It means you will do some of the Arches National Park hikes.

If you plan to visit the Utah Mighty 5 on this trip, you must extend your trip for at least a week.  

Below are our driving directions from both cities that you can use as a reference. (Ignore the time.)

Arches National Park Itinerary: the first 24-hr.

Visited: The Windows Section, Balanced Rock, Devil’s Garden (Landscape Arch), Sand Dune Arch, Courthouse Towers, Park Avenue.

Since we left in the morning from other states, we arrived in Moab in the afternoon. It was around 4 p.m., and it was still super hot. 

You might ask why we visited Arches National Park in July. Well, we have a full-time student at home, and our best chance to visit Arches is in the summertime. Just like most families in America. 

If you ask me whether July is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park, my answer is no. Summer temperatures often exceeded 100ºF (37ºC.) April through May (spring) and mid-September through October (fall) are definitely the best time to visit Arches National Park. Average daytime high is 60ºF to 80ºF (16ºC to 27ºC) and lows average is 30ºF to 50ºF (-1ºC to 10ºC.)   

Anyway, I tried to make an itinerary where we would arrive in the morning, but it just didn’t work for our road trip adventures from Texas. I believe some of you can relate to this. Moreover, I think some of you will find this Arches National Park itinerary pretty useful as you will arrive at the same time in Moab as us.

After check-in and a little rest at your accommodation, drive straight to Arches. It will probably be around 6 p.m. when you get to the gate, so the Visitor Center is already closed. No park rangers on duty in the entrance station as well.

The Windows Section

Go straight to the Windows Section. It’s a must-see in the park and one of the best spots to see the sunset. Walk the easy uphill trail to North and South Windows and Turret Arch. The trail is only 1 mi round trip. And it is also one of the most popular spots in the park, so visiting the Windows Section in the late afternoon is better than morning hours. Less crowded for sure. Take your time, no need to hurry, unless it starts to get dark when you get there.

Since the Visitor Center is closed by the time you get to the park, it’s better to print or download the park’s map before you leave for the trip. Also, I hope you have your America the Beautiful – The National Parks Pass already. If not, you can pay for your admission to the park the next morning.   

When you’re done exploring the Windows Section, stop at downtown Moab for a quick supper on your way back to the hotel.

Balanced Rock and Double Arch

The next morning, try to leave no later than 8. If you can leave early in the morning it’s even better. Remember. You try to beat the summer heat in the afternoon which will make your visit a bit uncomfortable. Also, most people enter the park after 8 a.m. You will get trapped in traffic before the entrance gate. 

Today’s first stop is another popular spot in Arches, Balanced Rock. Do the 0.3 mi easy walk around the base of Balanced Rock. Do it fast because you will visit a lot of places in the park this morning. 

From here go back to the Windows Section. Today you will go straight to Double Arch and do the 0.5 mi roundtrip trail. It is a relatively flat trail that leads you to the base of two giant arch spans that joined at one end. Standing under the tallest and the second-longest arch in this park will make your jaw drop. It is really incredible! 

After 10-15 minutes here, you must say goodbye to this giant beauty though you want to stay longer. If needed, use the restroom before you jump into the car.

When you leave the Windows Section for Devil’s Garden, don’t forget to look for Parade of Elephants, Garden of Eden, and Pothole Arch. You can see these from your car.

On the way to Devil’s Garden, you will see arches signs pointed to the right, including the Delicate Arch. They might tempt you to make a turn, but you have to keep going until you find yourself a parking spot at Devil’s Garden.

Visiting Devil’s Garden Area

Devil’s Garden is located at the very end of the park. It’s one of the premier locations in the park. Parking lots can be very busy at this time of year, even though the temperature is over 100ºF. Just like when we were there. That’s why you don’t make any stops at the arches on the way here. You must try to arrive early at the Devil’s Garden. 

Several arches are located in this part of the Arches. For this time, you will hike to the Landscape Arch only, North America’s longest. You will hike through tall fins on relatively flat hard-packed surfaces. There is no significant elevation gain, only moderate hills, up and down. It’s an easy trail, 1.9 mi/3.1km round trip.

However, if you want to see more arches, I suggest you do the Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. There are two easy spur trails to get to these arches. They are located between the trailhead and Landscape Arch. So, you can do it on the way back. We didn’t do these arches because we visited Devil’s Garden at the end of our day exploring. The temperature was 106ºF (41ºC) and it was really hot!

Before you leave Devil’s Garden, fill up your water bottles and use the restroom.

Sand Dune Arch

Your next stop is Sand Dune Arch. An easy 0.3mi (0.5km) round trip trail that will take you around 15-30 min to finish. You will hike through deep sand to a secluded arch tucked among sandstone fins. 

Children like to explore the sandstone fins around here. Our son laid down on the sand to take a rest after exploring a bit. The sand reminded me of the ground of the famous Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

Before you get to Sand Dune Arch, there’s a sign to Skyline Arch. It’s a 0.4 mi (0.6km) round trip trail to see an arch in a high wall. We did this, but in my opinion, you can skip this arch.

On your way out of the park, you will stop at two more spots. Courthouse Towers and Park Avenue.

Courthouse Towers & Park Avenue

At this time, you have passed these viewpoints three times already. Now it’s time to make a stop at the Courthouse Viewpoint to see the famous Sheep Rock, Three Gossips, The Organ, and the Tower of Babel sandstone formations closer.

Then drive a bit farther to Park Avenue Viewpoint and Trailhead. Since the sun is getting hot, you will just enjoy the impressive monolith on both sides of the avenue from the viewpoint.       

Back in town, treat yourself to a good lunch and cold drinks. Then do some shopping or visit Moab Rock Shop. My husband and son like rocks, so we always made a stop there.

After that go back to your accommodation for some rest. If needed, set your alarm so you won’t fall asleep until midnight. You will have another interesting trip at the end of the day.

Arches National Park Itinerary: the last 24-hr.

Visited: Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District), Delicate Arch, Visitor Center.  

Since Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky district – is not too far from Moab, you might make a trip there as well. Make sure you don’t take a nap too long after your arches exploration today.

Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District)

Without a doubt, Mesa Arch is a well-known destination in Canyonlands National Park. The best time to go there is for the sunrise, but the sunset is also beautiful. We didn’t see others during our first visit, and only a couple of people on our second visit.

It will take around 30 miles to drive to the park from town. Both times we went there, the Visitor Center was already closed because we arrived after 6 p.m. 

Once you get to the park, just drive around and make stops at all or several viewpoints. You can even stop at Shafer Trailhead, which is not too far from the entrance. Just make sure you don’t stand close to the rim.

However, you must arrive at the Mesa Arch before it starts to get dark. You will walk for about 0.5 mi (0.8km) roundtrip, about 30 minutes of hiking time. The view from the arch is still amazing, even though it’s not as amazing as in the morning.  

When you’re back in town again, grab a light supper. Tonight you’re going to sleep early because you must wake up before 6 a.m. for a trip to Delicate Arch the next morning.

Delicate Arch

You must leave the hotel before 6 a.m. for hiking to Delicate Arch. When you’re late, you might not get a parking spot, and it will be hot on the way back to parking from the top.

Also, you must have information in hand about whether you can do a late check-out from your accommodation. If they won’t let you make sure you have enough time after the hike to take a shower before checking out. You will be soaking wet with sweat after the hike. 

Unquestionably, Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park. In fact, it’s the most famous natural stone arch in the world! It is also depicted on Utah license plates.

From parking to the Delicate Arch is about 3 miles (4.8km) round trip hike. It is a difficult trail, and you will finish the hike in 2-3 hours. This trail climbs 480 feet (146 meters) up a steep slickrock slope. There are no shades and some exposure to heights. Just before you get to Delicate Arch, the trail follows a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards (183 meters). There’s an opening on the wall with a view of the Delicate Arch. I saw people skip this spot which I think was a mistake.

An avid hiker will tell you that the trail is easy, or at least moderate in difficulty. But in general, it still is a difficult trail. Take your time, no need to hurry. The arch will still be there for you.

Once you get to the arch, take a rest and enjoy the view. You will most likely have to wait for your turn to take pictures under the arch. Watch out where you go up there.

Our son was 7 the first time we went there. He was grumbling all the way to the top because his friends were still sleeping when we left the condo. Once he saw the arch, he was captivated by it and said, “It’s a masterpiece!” 

Don’t forget to bring enough water and snacks. Just make sure not to leave any trash up there or on the trail.

When you get to the bottom, you can walk to Wolfe Ranch and to a petroglyph panel. Not too many petroglyphs here. If you’ve seen ones before, say like the Petroglyph National Monument in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you can skip this one.

You most likely have read that sunset is the best time to see Delicate Arch. I don’t know about you, but I can’t hike in the 90s. It will still be hot when you hike to see the sunset. If you can handle it, don’t forget to bring a flashlight. You will need it on the way down. Just like when you need it on the way up if you want to see the sunrise in Delicate Arch.

After showering and check-out, you can go back to the park to the Visitor Center. I know it’s odd because normally that’s the first thing you do whenever you visit a National Park. But your time of arrival is also odd. So…

If you don’t want to visit the Visitor Center, it’s totally fine. You can go straight to your next destination. You can stop there on your next visit. 🙂

Don’t forget to take a picture of these rocks. You see it every time you come and leave the park. They are standing majestically not too far after you pass the gate. We named it The Penguins.

Where to Stay in Arches/Moab

If you like camping (tent or trailer), you can stay at the only campground in the park: Devils Garden Campground. You can reserve campsites between March 1 and October 31. Usually, the campsites are full every night during this busy season. From November to February, campsites are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check the following link for complete information on Devils Garden Campground. 

We have stayed in a condo and a cabin in an RV Campground during our two visits. Both were nice and most importantly, the A/C worked really well. You need it when visiting Moab in the summertime!

There are hotels, motels, condos, guest houses, B&B, and lots of campgrounds in Moab. Go check this link where you can find the type of accommodation that will suit you and your family.

I hope my Arches National Park itinerary will help you in planning a trip there. Especially when you think you will arrive late in the city like us.