Arches National Park
add photosHome to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations.
Park is open all year, 24 hours; Visitor center hours are seasonal: April through October: 7:30am - 6:30pm; November through March: 8:00am - 4:30pm
27 Reviews for Arches National Park
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'10, '12
1 family found this helpful
"Simply Amazing"
We visited Arches on Halloween day 2010, and it was amazing. It was someplace we had always wanted to check out. We had about 4 hours that day to devote to the park, before moving on to our next location as we were working our way back to the PNW from WI.
The park offers loads of hiking and exploring, both short stints, or longer treks. For folks who enjoy photography, there is lots to shoot. There are also a variety of different types of animals to see.
There is camping available, but we chose to stay just down the road from the front gate at the Moab Valley RV Resort. A great campsite, and it has a pool and spa as well as little cabins (in case you don't want to camp). We really liked the site and it was very family friendly.
We didn't get to see all of Arches, but we did 2 hikes (1 longer, and 1 shorter...that was all my 3-year old could handle before nap time), and we drove through a good deal of it.
I look forward to traveling back and spending more time exploring in the future. Great place to go!
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0 families found this helpful
"So simple but so beautiful"
We loved Arches National Park. The trails are easy for most of them so you do not have to be a strong hiker or to be with older kids to enjoy the park. Take a brochure at the tourist center, and you will be ready to go. This is definitely a park you do not want to miss if you are with toddlers.
0 families found this helpful
"amazing"
We love to go to Arches National Park, it is a great park for little kids. When you arrive at the park, they will give you a map with all the hikes and a description. If you have little kids it is a great place to go on several short hikes, see some amazing arches all within a couple hours. Some national parks are so big and spread out that ( like Yellowstone) but this one is perfect to just go for a morning or an afternoon. We just love vacationing in Moab. We go to hike at Arches in the morning, swim at the hotel pool in the afternoon and then go to eat at Pasta Jay's for dinner. Main street is fun and quaint. It is a great place for a weekend getaway.
0 families found this helpful
"Arches Hiking"
Our family took a trip to Arches on our way to Colorado one year. My kids (1.5 and 3) loved climbing on the rocks and sitting under those huge Arches. There were easy trails right off the parking lot that were just fine for my 8-month-pregnant body to take on. I would take lots of water if you go in the summer or spring or early fall. It is HOT there! We loved that the rosks looked like formations. My daughter called one an "Yun-Yun" (an onion)! They have a nice visitors center as well with great information. If you are up for a moderate to harder hike, delicate Arch is great!
0 families found this helpful
"Gorgeous, great hikes for everyone"
I love Arches! Besides being close to Moab, a fantastic vacation spot with lots of great restaurants and hikes, Arches itself is gorgeous and has the quintessential "Utah" scenery. There are difficult hikes if you want to get up close and personal with the Arches, but there are also more kid-friendly hikes that are easy and short but you can still see the Arches from a distance. There is a great campground called Devil's Garden, but make reservations EARLY in the spring/summer months because it fills up quickly. The campsites are nice with fire pits and toilets, but run a little expensive ($20 a night, plus if you make reservations there is a $9 fee!) But if you want to plan ahead and not worry about finding a good spot that is close, I would recommend doing the reservations. There are lots of campgrounds around Moab for various prices, but many are first-come, first-served and can fill up quickly in the spring and summer months. Be prepared for colder night temps in early spring and fall, but summer nights are very pleasant. Days can be very hot in the summer, so bring lots of water if you are hiking, especially with little ones.
1 family found this helpful
"Junior Ranger Badges"
Took a Daisy Troop of Girl Scouts to Arches National Park to earn the Junior Ranger badge. This program is a fantastic means of halting a frantic child to observe nature with a number of suggested activities, of which a child needs only select five. The booklet involves drawing much of what the booklet outlines which involves the creative aspect of childhood.
There could be a solid message about using art on paper, in sculpture, photographs to express the inspiration that notoriously results with views of such stunning landforms, like those in Arches National Park and emphasizing that graffitti IS UNLAWFUL.
The scouts noticed graffitti on other public lands, outside of the park, on another outing. Teaching Leave No Trace and Respect can be an additional lesson from parents while enjoying the Junior Ranger Program.
The Visitor Center also had available, a backpack to check out for youth, teeming with field guides, binoculars and other nice tools for further discovery in the park. We did not use this, as we arrived with our own library books on natural history and a tin of animal scat to identify (loaned to us by a helpful collector).
0 families found this helpful
"Breathtaking!"
My family is loving all the sights that Utah has to offer! We just returned from our first visit to Arches National Park, and it was fantastic! Of course we had our 2 1/2 year old in tow, and he loved all the rocks and mountains and trails to follow. There are many easy hikes, so toddlers and small children can enjoy the park too:
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful red rock formations"
We were amazed at how beautiful Arches was. The red rock is amazing and the science behind how the arches are created is very interesting too. There are hikes for every skill level but make sure you read the signs before starting a hike. Most signs at the trail head will give suggestions of how much water to take with you. If it is during the summer, please make sure you bring plenty of fluids on the hike with you! It gets so hot and there isn't much shade along some of the trails.
0 families found this helpful
"HIKE MOAB"
This is my most favorite National Park in Utah by far. The red rocks and arch formations are breathtaking. There are simple walks, moderate hikes, and then some expert treks (depending on paths you take...all listed on the map and directed by signs). The trip to delicate is nice during the day, best at sunset, and impossibly dangerous after dark BUT very worth it.
Make sure to wear comfortable shoes (I take Chaco sandals because I can get my feet wet when water is available...it gets HOT in the summer), plenty of water bottles (there are spots to fill it up at certain stops in the park, a camera, and lots of energy.
I don't necessarily like to hike, but I enjoy my time EVERY trip I make to Arches National Park.
2 families found this helpful
"Mother Nature's Playground"
Everyone needs to experience what it is like to stand under one of Mother Nature’s most awe inspiring creations; Delicate Arch. This famous arch had the 2002 Olympic torch pass through it and is also depicted on Utah’s license plates. This is the same arch that the Incredible Hulk ran by while being shot at by a helicopter. But Delicate Arch is only the tip of the iceberg when you visit Arches National Park, especially for families. Just imagine a huge sandbox with rock climbing obstacles and the world’s largest concentration of natural arches. That’s Arches National Park, Mother Nature’s playground.
In my opinion, Arches National Park has the best family friendly hikes of all of Utah’s National Parks. Even if your family does not like to hike, there are places several yards from the main road where families can walk a short distance and find themselves underneath a red rock sandstone arch, such as the Windows and Balanced Rock areas of the park. If your family is a little more hiking ambitious, don’t miss the opportunity to feel small next to the huge Delicate Arch monolith. I would also recommend exploring “Wall Street” with kids. This is my type of Wall Street, complete with red rock buildings, red rock roads, and a few lizards running around: a good analogy of NY’s more famous street. Another great family friendly hike is Landscape Arch, the largest arch in the world. Don’t forget to sign your kid’s up for the junior ranger program at the visitor’s center near the entrance and let them add to their collection.
I also have to mention that if you are visiting Arches National Park and its less famous sibling, Canyonlands National Park, you must stay in Moab. Not only is it the closest town to these parks, but it is worth shopping in the wonderful souvenir and art shops in this town. Be sure to visit Lema’s store on Moab’s main street – a place where my family has purchased some beautiful and authentic Native American pottery pieces.
In summary, visit Arches National Park and you’ll visit a place that is renowned yet is isolated. Let the kiddos climb the rocks and dig in the sand. As parents, this is the place to catch your breath.
0 families found this helpful
"Gorgeous Scenery"
We traveled out West for the first time this past summer and made a stop at the Arches National Park. I absolutely fell in LOVE with the views and the amazing rock formations! We ended up passing through later in the day, so we were able to see the sun set in the park, but I don't feel we had quite enough time there. I would suggest giving your family several hours of viewing time at the park, especially if you want to hike around. The only hiking we did was to the North and South Window, which really doesn't qualify as a hike. It's actually an easy walk a little ways from the parking area. I would highly recommend this park during your next vacation to Utah!
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful"
We took our boys (2 and newborn at the time) and had a good time. Only problem was our 2 y.o. decided that he didn't like the hiking backpack. There were tons of different places to hike. Easy and harder trails. Could even take the stroller on several trails. Went in Nov (right after Thanksgiving) this time and was cold in mornings but wonderful temps during the day. Have also been in spring. We enjoyed it and I think once our kids are old enough to walk 1 or 2 miles it will be worth going again.
1 family found this helpful
"Beautiful Arches"
My husband had been dying to go visit Arches National Park, so we decided to visit over Thanksgiving weekend. Best idea ever! No one was there. The park was so much better than I had anticipated. There were so many gorgeous natural wonders to see and of course Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch did not disappoint. It's worth the trip just to see Delicate Arch in all her majesty. Children will appreciate the beauty of the outdoors and the hikes are very easy. I am not a hiker and I made it to Delicate Arch without much trouble.
0 families found this helpful
"Perfect National Park for Families"
Arches National Park was perfect for our family. Even our two year-old was able to do most of the hikes because none of them were that long (most were under a mile). The Delicate Arch hike is the best hike and that one we had to use a hiking backpack on but it was the best hike in the park. We spent two days in this park and didn't get to all the arches but we were able to do most of the ones that we wanted.
There are plenty of places to stay and eat nearby or you can camp in the park. We packed a lunch each time going into the park though.
1 family found this helpful
"great hike for kids and amazing natural wonders"
this is a great place to take your family for a hike. the natural arches are amazing. It is fun to see what nature can create. There are hikes for all ages and stages. It can get windy at times and there is a lot of dirt so don't get upset when your kids come back filthy. Just enjoy the moment and let your kids have fun.
0 families found this helpful
"Worth the trip."
I have been to arches national park so many times. It is some breathtaking views! Absolutely beautiful! I love all of the many hikes. If you are not into hiking or are not well enough, there are many great lookout points you can drive to. Definitely worth the trip!
0 families found this helpful
"Great Family Fun"
This park is one of my favorites for a quick family vacation. The hike to delicate arch is a MUST. It is relatively easy and the children enjoy being up under the arch. Also make sure to check out Sand Dune Arch. A short hike takes you to an arch with sand underneath. It's in a small canyon and cool despite the heat. Be sure to bring your sand toys, because you're sure to have lots of fun!!
0 families found this helpful
"Beautiful"
We went to Arches with a large group of people, with the oldest child being 12. There were lots of small children but we were able to see and do many things. There were many arches we could see and hike to that were only a short distance. There was one arch that the kids loved the most due to a huge sand dune at its base that they played on for a very long time. The area is the beautiful red rock. There are some more vigorus hikes for older children and adults.
0 families found this helpful
"Great for all ages"
We did Arches with a young child and it was great! You have the option to stay in the car and visit the park that way, or get out and hike in to some of the arches and see all the detail. We packed in a lunch and enjoyed several hours in the park and at the gift shop and visitor's center.
0 families found this helpful
"Amazing"
Arches National Park is purely amazing! You have to see it to believe it! There is so much to do and see here! Jeeping is the best there. Especially if you can make it for Jeep Safari over Easter weekend every year. What a party! I don't make it here enough!
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