MOAB, UTAH
Driving Through Arches National Park
Arches Scenic Drive at a Glance
You can see much of Arches National Park right from your car, and the views are outstanding. The Arches Scenic Drive winds 36 miles round trip to the end of the park road and back to the entrance. You'll pass through towering red rock fins, see balanced rock, catch glimpses of some major arches direcly from the road. In this guide, you’ll find the best route, the best stops, and maps to make the most of your drive, plus how to go beyond the pavement with a
guided Arches tour that brings these landscapes to life.
Your Arches Driving Route
Trace this unforgettable road through time and stone. The 36-mile round-trip scenic drive begins near the park entrance and winds past viewpoints and arches that define Utah’s desert wonderland, from the towering cliffs of
Park Avenue and the mind-bending form of
Balanced Rock, to the vast panoramas at
The Windows Section,
Delicate Arch Viewpoint, and the sculpted maze of
Fiery Furnace.
Follow the route on the map and note the key stops you’ll want to explore before the road ends at
Devil's Garden, home to the graceful span of
Landscape Arch. Every mile reveals a new reason to pause, step out, and take in the beauty that has drawn travelers here for generations.
Key Stops on the Scenic Drive of Arches National Park
Park Avenue Viewpoint
Iconic from the moment you first see it, Park Avenue rewards you at the viewpoint, but entices a stroll down into the heart of it with a hiking path that takes you away from the bustle and immerses you in the quiet of the park. Turn back to the car before this becomes the paragraph for our
favorite hikes in Arches park.
La Sal Mountains Viewpoint
Between Park Avenue's viewpoint and the Courthouse Towers lot is a stop at the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint to take in the amazing sight of the La Sal Mountains, Utah’s second highest mountain range, juxtaposed against Arches’ red rock spires. Test.
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint should be your next stop to take a quick picture of the towering skyscraper-esque sandstone walls and spires. If you look carefully you'll see what is called the "Three Gossips" - listen carefully as well and you might hear the latest.
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is arguably one of the most unique formations in the Park and a must see on your tour. It weighs roughly 3,600 TONS - that's the same as 27 blue whales, or 45 times the weight of a space shuttle!
Strolling around the base of Balanced Rock is easier than finding a parking spot, which is a reason to plug our
Guided Arches Tours where you get the park, and leave the parking to the driver.
The Windows
One of the places you may spend the most
time walking and hiking is the Windows Section. There are several places to explore from North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and the twice-as-impressive "Double Arch" in the lower parking lot.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Continue to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint, follow the road all the way until the end. Here, you will need to park your vehicle and take a short walk to get a view of the Arch that is famous across the world.
Nearby is the trailhead for the
3 mile hike to Delicate Arch - not a quick jaunt like many other stops in the park, so be prepared with water and good shoes for hiking.
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint is next on the list. Here, you can peer into a maze-like cluster of narrow fins and and spires. If you want to explore the Fiery Furnace, there are
permits available requiring the instruction - and possible presence of a Park Ranger - to preserve the area.
Skyline Arch & Sand Dune Arch
Skyline Arch is an easily accessible and photographable arch and the last recommend stop before reaching the end of the park and making the turn around at Devils Garden.
Nearby is Sand Dune Arch where you'll find plenty of sand, shade, and two enormous petrified seals kissing each other. Use your imagination and you'll never unsee it!
Devils Garden & Landscape Arch
Devil's Garden is the end of the line for any driving tour in Arches National Park - pray it's not that way in life! Harsh naming conventions aside, there are plenty of beautiful things to inspire your journey. From the hiking trailhead at Devil's Garden Landscape arch is perhaps one of the most impressively fragile in Devil's Garden, perhaps in the park. See it now before it's gone!
Discover Arches National Park
- Tours in Arches National Park
- Timed-Entry Tickets & Reservations
- Driving Through Arches National Park
- Best Time to Visit Arches
- Arches National Park Weather
- Camping in Arches National Park
- Lodging Near Arches
- Best Hikes in Arches
- Pictures of Arches National Park
- Facts about Arches
- How are Arches Formed
- Arches National Park Map
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DRIVE THROUGH ARCHES NATIONAL PARK?
How much time you spend driving through Arches National Park depends upon how distracted you get. You’d have commendable focus to get in and out of the Park in under two hours, but it can be done. Even if you don’t plan to stray from your vehicle, we recommend you budget an extra hour to take in the magnificent scenery and snap a picture or two.
TAKING A GUIDED TOUR OF ARCHES VS. DRIVING YOURSELF
You can drive yourself into Arches National Park, but be aware of the timed entry reservations system that can require months of pre-planning. There are a few things to consider, which can help you make the decision to visit Arches on your own or join a guided tour.
The best reason to drive into the park yourself would be if you are planning to hike further off the highway stops that a typical guided van tour would do, such as the hikes to Delicate or Landscape Arches, and beyond.
HOW MUCH TIME WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEND IN THE PARK?
If you want to do a very thorough job of exploring the park and think you’ll need more than four hours, we recommend you self-guide through Arches.
CAN YOU BE BOTH A SPECTATOR AND A DRIVER?
Some people can and others, not so much. If you think the wondrous sights of cliffs, spires, arches, and vistas for miles might distract you from being a safe driver, we highly recommend you take a guided tour and let your seasoned guide worry about the navigating, driving, and parking amongst the crowds.
DO YOU LIKE IN-DEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF, NOT ONLY THE MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST, BUT THE SURROUNDING FLORA AND FAUNA, AND LOCAL HISTORY?
Depending on your thirst for knowledge and your ambition to search it out, you may elect to let a professional spoon feed you information, or opt to study books, maps, and the informational park signs as you go.
There’s no wrong way to visit Arches National Park, and whether you choose to do it yourself or take a guided tour, there’s no doubt you’ll have a phenomenal experience.
Not finding what you're looking for?
Most Popular Arches National Park Tours
Soar above Arches in a scenic flight that reveals its hidden formations, sweeping vistas, and jaw-dropping beauty, all without the heat, crowds, or hiking.
- Duration: ~30 minutes
- Departures: 9am to 2pm
- Season: Year Round
ADULTS 13+
$208
YOUTH 3-12
$208
Witness Arches at its most magical: Golden hour light, fewer crowds, and fascinating stories shared by guides who bring the landscape to life.
- Duration: ~4 hrs
- Departures: Evening
- Season: Year Round
ADULTS 13+
$114
YOUTH 5-12
$93
VIP access to Arches National Park: Expert guides, iconic sights, & mantle-worthy family photos without the hassle of parking or missing key sights.
- Duration: ~4 hrs
- Departures: Morning
- Season: Year Round
ADULTS 13+
$114
YOUTH 5-12
$93
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