Best Time to Visit Arches National Park: Plan Your Trip for 2025

The best time to visit Arches National Park will depend on what you would like to do and what kind of experience you’re looking for. In the complete guide to the best time to visit Arches national park, we’re going to cover everything to help you make that decision.

We’ll cover each of the seasons month by month and give you the pros and cons of each month. And as a bonus, we’ll give the best times to go stargazing, how to visit in the winter and so much more!

Keep reading for tips on how to avoid the crowds so you can see the best of Arches National Park while skipping the line so you can spend more time enjoying the park and less time sitting in your car!

Arches National Park By Season

Arches National Park is considered a “high desert” and temperatures can fluctuate quite a lot within a single day. At times you can expect there to be as much as a 40-degree temperature difference between the low and high for the day.

Here is a quick breakdown of the ​​weather in arches national park and what you can expect for each of the seasons:

Arches National Park In The Winter

December through February the lows in Arches National Park are often in the 20s to 30s and the highs in the middle of the day typically only reach the 40s. Large amounts of snowfall are not common in the area, but some snow is possible. 

Arches National Park In The Spring

For March, April, and May the lows normally stay above freezing but the highs are usually below 80 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it a great time to visit. April and May often have a bit more rainfall, but still very little with the average being less than one inch. 

Arches National Park In The Summer

June, July, and August are by far the hottest months to visit Arches National Park. The highs can often be over 100 degrees and even at night the temperatures still stay in the 60s.

While June sees a little less rainfall, July and August can be some of the wettest months, and the start of the “monsoon season”. Rainstorms in the evening are not uncommon and can cause flash flooding in some areas of the park. 

Arches National Park In The Fall

In September it’s not uncommon to see temperatures in the 80s, but by October the highs are often only in the 70s. November can see highs that never get above 60. It’s also possible to see the occasional dusting of snow as the overnight lows drop below freezing. 

When To Visit Arches National Park For The Best Weather

If you’re looking for the best weather Arches National Park has to offer then we recommend visiting in the Spring. We’ve found that April can be one of the best months because you get highs in the low 70s which is great for hiking all the amazing trails in Arches and lows in the 40s which are great for camping. Temperatures falling below freezing are uncommon. 

The biggest thing to remember is, while April is (in our opinion) the best time to go to Arches National Park, you will start to see the crowds pick up. 

Road-tripping from Salt Lake City to Arches for spring break is very common. Most schools have spring break around the end of March into the beginning of April.

So if you can, try to plan your trip for the end of April to catch the small dip in crowds that happens between spring break and summer.

Month	Average High	Average Low
January	44	22
February	52	28
March	64	35
April	71	42
May	82	51
June	93	60
July	100	67
August	97	66
September	88	55
October	74	42
November	56	30
December	45	23

When Is The Most Popular Time To Visit Arches National Park

Arches National Park’s busiest times are between May and October. These are some of the hottest months of the year but that won’t stop everyone who is on summer break from taking advantage of this time off to visit the park.

1.8 million people visit Arches National Park each year and a pretty large percentage of those people choose to go during this time. 

Since there aren’t a lot of large airports near Arches, a lot of people make Arches National Park a part of a road trip from Las Vegas or Phoenix. Since there is so much to do in this area, you don’t have to drive far to see some epic things!

The temperatures may be hot and the lines may be long, but there are also some advantages to coming during the popular months. One of the main ones is that all of the Ranger tours start running on a regular basis in the spring and continue all through the summer. 

So if you’re not a fan of the cold, would like to take advantage of the Ranger tours, and don’t mind the crowds then summertime is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park!

Best Time To Visit Arches National Park To Avoid The Crowds 

If you want to avoid the crowds then the best time to go to Arches National Park is in the winter. The crowds die down significantly in the winter making it a much more enjoyable experience.

During the summer months, the parking lots often stay full all day which can be a problem since parking anywhere other than a designated parking area is not allowed. 

Visiting Arches National Park in the winter also provides a unique opportunity to hike without having to deal with temperatures over 100 degrees.

You will need to be careful though because the trails can become very slippery if there is frost or snow on the ground. But aside from the slippery trails you really can’t beat the views of the desert landscape with just the slightest dusting of snow.

Visiting Arches National Park Tips

Arches National Park is an extremely popular National Park and so we put together some of our top tips that we learned from our numerous visits to Arches to help make your trip more enjoyable. 

• Book your timed entry – As of 2023, the National Parks service is testing out a timed entry system from April through October to help lower the congestion. You will need to book your entry in advance. You can learn more about the timed entry system on the National Parks Website. 

• Consider buying a Parks Pass – There is a $30 fee per vehicle to enter Arches National Park. It is good for 7 days but there is a separate fee to enter Canyonlands National Park which is also in Moab. Consider buying an America the Beautiful pass to save some money. 

• Use the bathroom before you go – The lines to enter Arches can get very long and so waiting more than an hour just to get in is not uncommon. There are no bathrooms available along the entrance road so plan ahead and use the restroom first. 

• Bring water – Temperatures in the summer months are often over 100 degrees so staying hydrated is a must! Plan ahead and bring lots of water. 

• Be Patient – For most months of the year, the crowds in the park are pretty intense. You will likely be waiting in lines and struggling to find parking so be patient and enjoy the view. 

• Leave your four-legged friend at home – The hot temperatures and bare rock make hiking with pets in Arches very difficult and strenuous on them. The National Parks Service suggests you leave them back in the cooler temperatures of your accommodation. Pets are not allowed on any of the hiking trails in Arches.

• Leave No Trace – Always follow Leave No Trace practices while in the park. With almost 2 million visitors a year, we all have to do our part to preserve the natural beauty of Arches National Park for generations to come! 

Best Time To Visit Arches National Park By Month 

The best month to visit Arches National Park depends on what you would like to do when you get there. But it also depends on what you’re willing to deal with while you’re there. 

There are pros and cons to each month and so below we’ve detailed exactly what you can expect from each month so you can pick the best time to visit Arches National Park for you!

Arches National Park In January

Visiting Arches National Park in January is a great option for anyone looking for spectacular photos with minimal crowds. Parking and getting around the park is normally the easiest around this time of year which makes it one of the least stressful times to visit. 

• Avoid the Crowds – January is one of the best times to visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. Many of the parking lots will have open spaces most of the day and you can enjoy hiking the most popular trails without a ton of other people

• Best Photography – If you’re wondering “does it snow in Arches National Park?” The answer is yes and it’s actually one of the best times for photography since the snow is absolutely beautiful on the arches and there will be fewer people in the way of your photos.

• Camping – The Devil’s Garden Campground is open during the winter months and it can be a little easier getting a site because all of the sites are first-come first-served so no need to worry about making a reservation 6 months in advance!

• No Ranger Tours – Unfortunately the guided Ranger tours do not operate in the winter, however, the visitors center is still open daily, but their hours are restricted, they’re only open from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm daily.

• Road Closers – The biggest restriction to visiting Arches National Park in the winter is that some of the unpaved roads may be closed due to snow and ice. However, all of the main paved roads should be fine. 

Arches National Park In February

February is another great month to visit if you’re looking to avoid the crowds. There is often less snow which means getting around the park can be a little easier, but it’s still winter time so don’t be surprised if some areas of the park (especially unpaved roads) are still closed. 

• Avoid the Crowds – February is another great month to visit if you’re looking to avoid crowds. Many of the parking lots and most popular trailheads will still have open spaces which makes visiting in February less stressful than visiting in the summer months.

• Less Snow – There is typically speaking less snow in February than there is in January which means less time spent waiting while the roads are being cleared.

• Stargazing – The days in February are some of the shortest and the sky is often clearer since there is less snowfall. This makes it a great time for stargazing because you won’t have to stay up super late and you have a good chance of clear skies!

• Best Sunsets – With the sun setting earlier, February is a great month to see some beautiful Arches National Park sunsets. The colors are the most spectacular right at sunset and you won’t have to stay super late to see it. 

• Guided Tours – There are no guided tours with the Park Rangers during the winter months, but there are still plenty of tour options available through private companies located in the nearby town of Moab Utah.

• Bring Sunglasses – The clearer skies of February combined with some remaining snow means that things can get very bright. Bring some sunglasses and some sunscreen to keep yourself protected while visiting the park. 

Arches National Park In March

The weather in Arches National Park in March starts to warm up you can expect highs in the 60s and lows in the 30s which means that snow is less common for this time of year especially later in the month. 

Along with the warmer weather come the crowds. By March you will start to experience lines getting into the park as well as some difficulty finding parking. 

• Visitor Center is Open Longer – After March 11th the Arches National Park Visitors Center changes to their summer hours and so they’ll be open an hour earlier from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm every day.

• Camping Reservations Required – After March 1st the Devil’s Garden Campground (which is the only campground inside the park) switches to requiring a reservation. Campsites fill up extremely quickly so make a reservation as soon as possible. You can make one online. 

• Ranger Guided Tours Start – The Ranger guided walks, hikes, and other special events like stargazing all start up in the Spring making March a great time to visit if you would like to learn about the park. 

• Hiking is Easier – Now that most of the snow is gone, hiking in the park starts to get a little easier. The temperatures are warming and the trails are often not as slippery as they are in January and February making it easier and safer for hiking with little ones. 

• Parking is More Difficult – March is when the busy season really starts to kick off and so you can expect most of the parking lots to be full all day. The National Parks Service does not allow parking anywhere in the park other than officially designated parking spots so if you come to a parking lot and it is full you will have to try somewhere else or come back at another time. 

Arches National Park In April

April is by far one of our favorite months to visit. The temperature in Arches National Park in April is very pleasant with highs in the upper 60s and lows in the 40s making it perfect for both hiking and camping. Many of the local festivals also happen in the spring making it a great time to visit the park and be in Moab.

• Backpacking – Since the temperatures are so nice, April is the best month to go backcountry camping in Arches National Park. You will need a backcountry permit to camp. They are no longer available at the Visitors Center so you will need to get one from the Backcountry Permit Office which is located 2 miles south of Moab.

• Roads Open – Most of the roads in the park are open by April, depending on how rainy the spring has been. There is very little chance of snow which means you normally won’t have to wait for roads to be cleared.

• Crowds are Heavy – By April the Arches National Park busy season is in full swing. You will need to pack your patience because you will likely need to wait in line just to get in and even after you’re in the park it’s not uncommon for parking lots to be full all day so finding a good parking spot comes down to mostly luck. (Although with the new timed-entry system, this might change.)

• Easter Jeep Festival – The Moab Easter Jeep Festival is the first week of April which is a ton of fun but will also draw some pretty big crowds. Pretty much any holiday you can expect even larger than average crowds since people take advantage of the time off and go visit the park!

• Wildflowers are in Bloom – April and May are two of the best months to see the wildflowers blooming in the park which adds a beautiful splash of color to the red landscape!

Arches National Park In May

The weather in Arches National Park in May is still pretty mild. Highs are often still below 80 and the lows are in the low 50s. This makes May one of the most popular times to visit Arches National Park, especially later in the month around Memorial Day since a lot of people have time off work and plan a trip to visit the park. 

• Crowds – The crowds will be in full swing by May and so expect long lines and difficulty finding parking especially later in the month. 

• Wildflowers are in Bloom – If you’re able to come earlier in the month then you have a good chance of catching some of the wildflowers that start blooming in April.

• See the Wildlife – Now that temperatures have warmed up significantly it’s a great time for birdwatching or catching a glimpse of some of the cool lizards around the park. 

• Roads are Open – By May all major roads and trails are typically open so there usually isn’t much of an issue driving around. Be careful driving down some of the unpaved roads after heavy rain since it is possible to get stuck. 

• Moab Arts Festival – The Moab Arts Festival is also in May. Moab is a super fun town with some of the best festivals around so we highly recommend making a little time to check them out while you’re in the area! 

Arches National Park In June

June is the start of the summer months for Arches which means the heat and the crowds are in full swing! The weather in Arches National Park in June starts to get pretty hot with highs in the upper 90s and it never really gets below the 60s even at night. This is great for camping because you can sleep in a tent without being too cold at night, but hiking during the day can be a little rough. 

• Arrive Early – Get to the park before 6:00am if possible. Most major trailheads and parking lots will be full by 7:30am and can be full all day. 

• Consider an Afternoon Visit – While the lines will be long in the morning most people head back to their campsite/accommodation in the early afternoon. You can avoid some of the crowds by doing the opposite and showing up late and staying late.

• Bring Lots of Water – Hiking in the heat can get dangerous quickly if you’re not properly hydrated (even if it’s only a short walk!) Make a point to drink lots of water throughout the day.

• Night Time Ranger Tours – Rangers from Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park occasionally team up with the Ranger from Arches National Park to host nighttime stargazing tours that you won’t want to miss! 

• Pack Your Patience – There is no way around it there will be crowds in June, Remember to plan plenty of time for your visit, be patient and enjoy the sites. 

Arches National Park In July

July is the hottest month in Arches National Park. The average high is just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s right the AVERAGE temperature is 100 degrees meaning that it’s not uncommon for the high on any given day to be well over 100 degrees with extreme highs reaching 116 degrees. 

But the crowds will not be deterred! Independence Day (The 4th of July) sees an average of just over 3,000 cars entering the park in just one day.

So if you’re planning your 4th of July trip to Arches we recommend trying to get into the park later in the evening since it’s not uncommon for Rangers to completely close the entrance to the park until some of the people clear out. 

• Bring Lots of Water – Heat is no joke so play it safe and be sure to bring and drink tons of water. Always remember to be sure that children are drinking water as well. 

• Leave Pets at Home – The heat can be even harder on your furry four-legged friends and the scorching rock isn’t very nice on their paws. Be kind and leave them behind. 

• Camp Local – The Devil’s Garden Campground is the only campground located inside the park, but if you plan far enough ahead and get a spot you’ll be at an advantage because in the morning you’ll already be in the park. Full disclosure this does also mean that you’ll be camping in the heat so you win some you lose some as they say. 

• Cool Off – The Visitors Center is open for its full operating hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Take advantage of the A/C and cool down with a break at the Visitors Center.

• Monsoon Season Starts – July, August, September, and October see high rates of precipitation for Arches National Park. It often comes as short rain showers in the afternoon, so if it does rain it shouldn’t last long. This will however make it difficult to get around on the unpaved roads. 

Arches National Park In August

August is a slightly cooler month and by slightly cooler I mean the average temperature Arches National Park sees in August will be in the high 90s as opposed to over 100s. August in Arches National Park is still very hot. 

The crowds will also still be in full swing with an average of just over 2,200 cars a day coming into the park. The traffic does however normally decrease as the month goes on so try to plan your visit later in the month if possible! 

• Take Advantage of Longer Days – On average there are more than 14 hours of sunlight a day in August. Take advantage of those longer days and visit in the afternoon. This will give the morning traffic time to clear out and you can often get into the park easier. 

• Watch out for Rain – August is one of the wetter months for Arches so if you are going to try and visit in the afternoon to avoid the crowds just know that you may run into some rain.

• Bring a Hat – With that many hours of sunlight, the sun will bake your head like an egg on the sidewalk. The last thing you want is to have your adventure day cut short because the heat takes you out!

• Pack Your Patience – Sometimes the Rangers have to close the entrance to the park because there are too many people inside which means you can spend more than an hour waiting in line. Remember that anger won’t make anything move any faster. 

• Moab Music Festival – Some of the earliest concerts for the Moab Music Festival start in August and they’re super cool. Many of the shows are out in nature using the natural acoustics of the rocks which is an experience you won’t want to miss!

Arches National Park In September

In September the temperature in Arches National Park does start to cool down. The Highs are often only in the high 80s and the lows are in the upper 60s which means it’s not a bad month for camping.

There will still be some rain as September is the last month of the Arches monsoon season, but the rain can actually help cool things down even further which is nice. 

There are actually some flowers that bloom in September like the Rubber Rabbitbrush, which is a type of sunflower. They add some really great pops of yellow color to the red landscape.

• Great for Photography – The yellow flowers make September a great time to get some beautiful photos that show the contrast that the color gives to the red landscape. 

• Moab Music Festival – Most of the music events for the Moad Music Festival are in September making it a great visit for a music fan since you’ll have lots of shows to choose from. 

• Avoid Labor Day – Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day are by far the 3 busiest days of the year for Arches National Park. We recommend avoiding visiting on those days if possible since just getting into the park can be extremely difficult. 

• Camp – September is a great time for camping since the Arches National Park weather will have cooled off some finally, especially at night. 

• Dress in Layers – The transition to the cooler months means that September days are often hot during the day and cooler in the evening. When the sun goes down you would be surprised how much the Arches National Park temperature can drop and how quickly. 

Arches National Park In October

The traffic and the crowds finally start to slow down for Arches National Park from October through the end of the year. There is a little bit of a spike again for Thanksgiving but other than that you’ll be in much better shape when trying to get into the park.

The parking lots will still be full for most of the day for most of October but you’ll at least have a chance of finding somewhere to park, get out and stretch your legs.

Arches National Park temperatures also cool off significantly starting in October. The highs are often only in the mid-70s and the lows at night actually drop all the way down to the low 40s! Arches is classified as a High Desert which means it’s not uncommon to see a swing in temperature of up to 40 degrees between the high and low for the day. 

• Avoid Fall Break – In general the crowds start to slow down in October since children will have gone back to school by then. But watch out for fall break, there will be a spike in crowds again for a little while. 

• Go Backpacking – Highs in the 70s and lows in the 40s means that it’s a great time to go backcountry camping. Make sure you pack a good sleeping back for the cool nights though. 

• Dress in Layers – October is the transition month between the summer heat and the colder winter months. Stay warm in the morning/evenings and cool during the day by dressing in layers. 

• Great for Photography – There are some trees in the park and the ones that are there will start turning colors in October making it a great time to capture some unique photos!

• Enjoy the Sunsets – Since the days start getting shorter in October that means the sunsets come earlier. That can be a real benefit since you’ll be able to take pictures of the sunset before heading back to town for dinner!

Arches National Park In November

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds then check out Arches National Park from November through the end of the year. November is the first month where you can expect to find some availability in the parking lots. 

The biggest reason the crowds die down is that the weather at Arches National Parks gets a lot cooler in November. The highs are often in the 50s and the lows can get down below freezing meaning that it is possible to see a few snowflakes in November. 

• Enjoy the Cool Weather – The summer months can get really hot in Arches National Park so if you’re looking to avoid the crowds and the heat then November is a great month to visit.

• Stay Warm – Dress in layers and bring some warm clothes. It’s easy to think that since Arches is a High Desert that it will be hot all the time and that’s not the case. Arches can get very cold and very quickly so be sure to bring appropriate clothes!

• Check out the Snow – Arches does actually get some snowfall and it starts in November as the overnight temperatures dip below freezing.

• Great for Photography – With a quick search online anyone can find thousands of photos of Arches National Park that all look exactly the same. Since November gets the occasional dusting of snow it’s a great time to get some photos that will be far more interesting!

• Be Careful Hiking – Most of the hiking trails in Arches National Park are bare rock. This means they can get very slippery if there is frost or snow. Consider packing microspikes to give you extra traction. 

Arches National Park In December

If you’re looking for the best time to go to Arches National Park to avoid the crowds December is a great option.

With the drastically cooler temperatures and school being back in session the park only sees an average of less than 1,000 cars per day. This is about ⅓ of the traffic that you can expect in the summer months. 

The highs are often in the mid-40s and the lows can get down into the 20s. This means that you have a pretty good chance of seeing snow which is really beautiful on the red rocks. It’s also easier to get a campsite because the Devil’s Garden Campground will have switched over to first-come-first-served. 

• Great for Photography – You really can beat the look of the red rock formations with the lightest dusting of snow! You’re sure to get photos that will be unlike 90% of the photos of Arches out there.

• Go Camping – The Devil’s Garden Campground is the only campground located within the park. For much of the year, it can be hard to find a spot since online reservations fill up months in advance. But in the winter all spots are first-come-first-served making it far easier to get a spot. We recommend showing up during the week if possible for the very best chance of getting a campsite. 

• Be Careful Hiking – Those red rock trails are beautiful but if there is frost or snow you’ll need to be very careful. The slick rock gets very slippery with any snow or ice. Consider packing microspikes to give you more traction and ensure that you’re hiking safely. Twisted ankles or busted tailbones are no fun.

• Check out the Sunrise – Since the days are far shorter you won’t need to get up quite so early so you’ll definitely want to check out the gorgeous Arches sunrises. You’ll have the opportunity for different photos between sunrise and sunset since the sun is coming from the other direction so it’s a great time of year to get both without getting up super early or staying up later. 

• Visitor Center Restricted Hours – During the winter months the Arches National Park Visitors Center doesn’t open until 9:00am instead of 8:00am. They are however still open until 4:00pm every day. 

Overall The Best Time Of Year To Visit Arches National Park

The best time of year to go to Arches National Park really does depend on what you want to see and what’s important to you. That being said Spring or Fall will be the best options with Fall being the slight winner. 

Why Visit in the Spring: 

In the spring the temperatures will be a little bit warmer which is nice if you’re not a fan of the cold. You’ll also have the opportunity to see some of the wildflowers that bloom.

Most of Arches National Park is bare red rock and while the formations are absolutely stunning it’s often best to photograph them from a big landscape perspective.

But that’s not all that Arches has to offer! When the wildflowers are in bloom you can get some of those really great close-up detail photos that show the plants and animals that call Arches home. 

The only major downside of visiting in the spring is that the crowds will be a bit higher. For April you can expect anywhere from 500 to 1,000 more cars per day than what you would see in October or November. 

Why Visit in the Fall:

Fall is another great option if you’re looking for the best time to see Arches National Park. The temperatures will be cooler than what you would get if you visited in Spring, but the crowds are far lower. That also makes it easier and a little less expensive finding a place to stay in Moab.

With the exception of Fall Break, most of October and November the cars per day entering the park will be around 1,500. And while that may sound like a lot (and honestly it still is) that’s going be about half of what you would run into if you decided to visit in the summer. 

Fall is also another great time for photography. As you get later in the year you will see temperatures dipping below freezing and that means snow. The beautiful rock formations get even prettier when they have just the lightest dusting of snow on them. 

Normally you can only see the full detail of the rock formations in the very early morning or right at sunset because the sun shining on them from an angle gives contrast to them and makes them look even more impressive. 

But a little bit of snow does the same thing and the white color adds a whole new element to what you’re looking at! 

The Best Time For Stargazing In Arches National Park

Sometimes the best time of day to go to Arches National Park is actually at night! In 2019 Arches National Park was designated as an official International Dark Sky Park. What does that mean? That means after the sun goes down it gets dark…like really dark. 

Even with Moab right there Arches is still one of the best places around to view the night sky. Particularly in the wintertime when there is less rain and so your odds of having a clear night sky are even better. 

In fact, it gets so dark and the stars are so visible that more often than not just your regular run-of-the-mill binoculars are enough to see the rings of Saturn! No fancy pants telescope needed!

Stargaze On Your Own

Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day and so going in at night on your own is typically not a problem so feel free to stargaze all on your own. 

Technically anywhere in the park is great for viewing the night sky but the further you drive into the park (away from Moab) the better the stars are going to be. If you just want to see the stars, then it’s best to drive away from the rock formation so that you get the best-unobstructed view of the sky possible. 

If you would like to take some interesting photos then it’s actually better to be near the rock formations because they add really cool shapes into the foreground of your image. 

Here is a short list of some great spots to go see the stars:

• The Windows Section – Great for getting cool photos of the night sky and the stars looking through an arch. 
• Balanced Rock – Also really great for photos because Balanced Rock is very recognizable and it makes a great foreground shape.
• Garden of Eden Viewpoint – There are a variety of formations here that also make for interesting photos.
• Panorama Point – This is a great wide-open area where you’ll get the full impact of the sky all around you.
• Devil’s Garden Area – There are a few good spots near Devil’s Garden where you’ll get a combination of open sky and rock formations. 

Go With a Ranger

There are Ranger-guided tours at night if you’re interested in learning a bit more about what you’re looking at. There is a collaboration between the Rangers of Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park where they rotate night tours into the park. 

The Ranger guided tours are really great because sometimes they have a nice big telescope that you can look through to see the planets even better. But they’ll also point out constellations to you and give you a much better idea of what you are seeing. 

We really like going with Rangers when possible because you get such a better appreciation for what you’re looking at when someone can explain everything to you. 

Arches National Park Stargazing Tips

• Wait for your eyes to adjust – This can take up to 30 minutes so wait a little bit, the longer you’re out there the more you will see. 
• Bring a Blanket – If you go in the winter it will be cold so a blanket is great. But it’s also nice to lie down on the ground so you can look up without straining your neck. 
• Avoid White Light – Use a red light flash when possible because white light will wash out the stars. 
• Go on the New Moon – If there is any amount of moon at all it will drastically decrease the number of stars that you can see so if possible go during a new moon! 

Visiting Arches National Park In The Winter

Winter is actually one of the best times to visit Arches National park. The crowds are far lower since most people decide to visit in the summer when the weather is better. 

It does snow in Arches with most of the snow falling between November and February, but it is uncommon for Arches to get massive amounts of snowfall.

Just know in advance that you might have to wait for the Rangers to clear the main roads if you try and go into the park early in the morning. Some of the smaller unpaved roads may be closed altogether. 

But hiking is often far more enjoyable because you don’t have to worry about dealing with 100-degree heat while you’re hiking. It is a good idea to pack some microspikes because the trails become very slippery if there is any frost or snow. 

The wintertime also offers some really great photo opportunities. The red rock formations look so beautiful in the winter with a light dusting of snow because the snow really brings out the subtle shapes of the formations. 

Best Time Of Day To Visit Arches National Park

The best time to visit the Arches National Park depends on the time of year that you’ll be visiting and what you would like to do.

Going early in the morning is best if you would like to see the sunrise or if you want to hit the trails before they get too packed. But this is only really an option if you’re going in the off-season because in the summer months most of the trailheads are full by 7:30 am.

If you want to see the sunsets or would like to avoid the crowds then going in the afternoon is actually a far better option.

The Rangers regularly have to close the entrance to the park during the day because there are too many people in the park. But most of those people who tried to get there early will also head back home by early afternoon because they’re tired. If you’re lucky you can sometimes walk right in if you go later in the day. 

Best Time To Visit Arches National Park FAQs