What to Do in Arches National Park with Kids
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delicate arch is the most recognizable arch in the park
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the whole family in front of Pine Tree Arch
If you’re looking for what to do in Arches National Park with kids (or without!), you’re in the right place. Arches is one of the five Utah National Parks. There are so many things to do in Arches with kids and a ton of choices for kid friendly hikes in Arches National Park.
Arches is home to the highest density of natural arches in the world with over 2,000 stone arches including the most recognizable geologic formation in the world; Delicate Arch. The tallest arch in the park is Double Arch South which stands at 112 feet tall and the widest arch in the park is Landscape Arch which measures 309 feet across.
This park is also home to other geological phenomena such as balance rocks, fins, and soaring pinnacles. Arches National Park was first designated as a National Monument in 1929, but was later changed to a National Park in 1971. Arches National Park is visited by approximately 1.55 million people annually and is made up of about 76,519 acres of protected land. Whether you are traveling with kids or without, you’ll absolutely fall in love with this unique National Park.
Every visitor to Arches National Park should make a stop at the visitor center to get a park map, get a weather update, info about the park’s land and water conditions, and possible closures. You can also visit HERE to see up-to-date closures and weather. The Arches Visitor Center is the only Visitor Center in the park and can be very busy. Park Rangers are also a wonderful resource for finding out the parks more off the beaten path spots.
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When to Visit Arches National Park
Summertime is Arches busiest and hottest season, but the temperatures rarely reach above 100 degrees. Since many people have the most time off work and kids are out of school, this is the most popular time of year to visit Arches, but it may be the most miserable temperature-wise. The lack of trees eave few places for protection from the sun.
In the fall the biking and hiking trails fill up as the temperature drop. The evenings and nights can get very cool during this time and campers/hikers need to be prepared with jackets and warm blankets.
Visiting Arches in the Spring is a great option because the weather is still cool. However, this is a busy time for the park. Hiking and biking are very popular during this time of year. The park’s flora and fauna are also in peak bloom and it can make for a very unique experience.
the sunrise hike in early october was chilly enough for pants and jackets
Winter is cold but absolutely gorgeous. It does snow in Arches, so visitors can see snow covered rock formations and the contrast of the red rock with the snow is dreamy.
We visited Arches on a cross-country road trip in June 2020 and again in October 2021. Arches National Park in June was very very hot. Our kids had a hard time completing the hikes. In October, the weather was perfect. We needed light jackets for our sunrise hikes, but by mid morning the we had taken them off. The park gets extremely busy, so be inside the park before 8AM. By 10Am every day we were there the front gates were closed due to too many people inside.
The average annual weather for Arches NP — reference COURTESY of www.weather-us.com
How to get to Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in the North-East corner of Utah. The entrance to the park is located in the famed Moab area of Utah. Accessing this area of Utah is a short drive off of I-70 with the entrance being along Highway 191.
Obligatory national park sign photo!
Canyonlands National Park to Arches National park is 35 minutes - only 27 miles.
How far is Arches National Park from Grand Junction? 1 hour, 45 minutes
Capitol Reef National Park to Arches National Park is 2 hours, 35 minutes
Zion National Park to Arches National park is 5 hours, 05 minutes
Salt Lake City to Arches National Park is 3 hours, 35 minutes
Mesa Verde National Park to Arches National Park is 2 and 55 minutes.
Arches National Park is one of five National Parks in Utah. When planning to visit this park be sure to account for the heat and popularity of this park. Canyonlands National Park is by far the closest Utah National Park by distance to Arches National Park.
READ NEXT: Capitol Reef National Park with Kids (Utah)
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How Much Does it Cost to Get into Arches National Park?
arches visitor center in arches National park
Entrance Fee
Private Vehicle: $30. Valid for 7 days. Admits private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all occupants to Arches National Park.
Motorcycle: $25. Valid for 7 days: Admits one non-commercial motorcycle to Arches National Park.
Bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians are per person: $15. Valid for 7 days. Admits one individual with no car to Arches National Park.
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Where to Stay in Arches National Park
Arches National Park Lodges:
There are no lodges in Arches National Park. However, there are many amazing places to stay very close by in Moab. Check out my recommended places.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What to do in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
Climbing under double arch
Arches National Park Campground:
There is only one campground inside Arches National Park. During the peak season, March 1 - October 31, reservations are required. I suggest making reservations at least 3-6 months in advance as it sells out nearly every day of peak season.
devils garden campground is deep in the park
Devils Garden Campground: Peak Season (1 March - 31 October): Reservations required. Low Season: First Come, First Serve. This campground has 51 sites. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. This campground has potable drinking water, flush, and pit toilets.
READ NEXT: How to ENJOY Tent Camping with Toddlers
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The pool and splash pad at spring hill suites are amazing!!
sprinhill suites has room service! that means smoothies on demand!
Where to Stay Outside of Arches National Park
We stayed for 5 nights at Springhill suites moab — it is a perfect place for families
Arches National Park has many options for staying outside the park. We spent 5 nights at SpringHill Suites Moab.
Recommended Hotels Near Arches National Park:
SpringHill Suites Moab: This property is one of the best places to stay in Moab with kids. Springhill Suites offers two stunning pools, three hot tubs, and a kid's canyon complete with a splash pad. They offer a complimentary hot breakfast buffet and a 24-Hour Corner Market. SpringHill Suites offers complimentary WiFi across the entire property and in every suite. There is also a 24-hour fitness center and a business center. Here at SpringHill Suites, you are only 2 miles from Arches National Park, making this hotel the closest hotel to the National Park. SpringHill Suites activities include a basketball court, 2 massive pools, hot tubs, splash pad, giant chess, giant connect four ping pong, and in the lobby you can play tic tac toe while munching on a complimentary chocolate chip cookie. Every day was packed full of adventure and every evening we sat by the pool or sat in the hot tub relaxing. We will be 100% staying here again.
Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab: The Fairfield Inn & Suites share a parking lot and pool area with SpringHill Suites. These two hotels are the closest hotel to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse State Park. Fairfield Inn & Suites offers a complimentary hot breakfast buffet and a 24/7 Corner Market. Each room is also equipped with a mini-fridge, microwave, coffee maker, and free WiFi.
Other Recommended places to stay near Arches National Park:
If you prefer to stay in hotels, use the map below to find a hotel that fits your family size and budget.
RV & Camping Near Arches National Park:
There are so many options for camping or staying in RV parks around Moab. Also, take a look through the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) to find free or very cheap dispersed camping in the area.
The beds in sprinhill suites moab were the absolute best for relaxing after sunrise hikes in the desert
What to do in Arches National Park with Kids
Click the button above for a map of Arches National Park.
Arches has more than archest. It has endless sandstone formations all thru the park.
1) Hike
Arches National Park has hiking for any ability. From short, easy hikes with incredible views to longer more challenging trails, Arches National Park hikes have something for everyone. Below you will find all of the best hikes at Arches National Park broken down by difficulty. Under the section Toddlers and Kids, you’ll see the most kid friendly hikes in Arches and under Teens, you’ll find more difficult hikes. There are so many family friendly hikes in Utah! All of the hikes listed below are inside the park, but there are many kid friendly hikes in Moab as well. One of the best family friendly hikes in Moab I recommend for a non-park day is the Mill Creek Trail which is to a waterfall!
Best Hikes for Toddlers in Arches National Park:
My daughter (5 years old) in front of tunnel arch in the devils garden area.
These are the easy hikes Arches National Park.
Double Arch: (Do not Miss) I highly recommend this hike. This very easy and very short 1/2 mile hike leads hikers to two massive arches that meet each other on one end. This makes for an incredible photo op. This trail is very family friendly.
The Windows: This simple 1-mile hike takes hikers up a gentle climb to the arch. This section of the park contains several arches, so it’s a lot of bang for the buck!
Pine Tree Arch Trail: This easy 1-mile round trip trail takes hikers on a flat gravel trail out to the arch. Along the way, the path makes a T and you can add the Tunnel Arch with little effort. This is a great trail to see multiple arches without much effort.
Skyline Arch: This easy 0.4-mile trail takes hikers down to the arch. The rockpile at the bottom of the arch is from when part of the arch collapsed in 1940 — this collapse doubled the size of the arch.
Sandune Arch: This 0.3-mile hike takes hikers down a secluded path to the arch that is tucked into fins. This trail is shaded and sandy.
Balanced Rock: This easy 0.3-mile hike takes hikers around the base of the fragile natural phenomenon called balanced rock. At the end of the trail is a viewpoint to see Double Arch and Windows.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint: This is more of a viewpoint rather than a hike, but it gives everyone a fair chance to see Delicate Arch. A flat, 50-yard trail leads hikers to the lower viewpoint. The trail is accessible to people using wheelchairs or strollers.
If you are visiting Arches National Park with a baby I recommend wearing the baby in a soft carrier or hiking pack on all of these trails due to loose gravel and rock.
the area around delicate arch is very steep! but it sure is gorgeous
Best Hikes for Kids in Arches National Park:
Landscape arch is not a hard hike, but in summer it got very hot and both of my kids (3 and 5) had a hard time finishing it.
The following hikes are the best kid friendly hikes Arches National park.
Delicate Arch Trail: (Do not miss!) This moderate 3-mile roundtrip hike is not for the faint of heart, but it rewards hikers with an up-close look at the most famous geological formation in the world. There is no shade on this hike. It is most popular at sunset. Parking is very limited. We did this hike as a sunrise hike - it was stunning! Delicate Arch hike is a family friendly hike, but I would wear small toddlers and babies in a carrier.
Landscape Arch Trail: (Do Not Miss) This easy 1.9-mile roundtrip trail follows a fairly even gravel path from the Devi’s Garden Trailhead to the Arch. I have this on here listed for “kids” because in the summer or mid-day it is too hot for younger children. I highly recommend wearing your toddler and bringing a ton of water when hiking Arches National Park Landscape Arch.
Park Avenue Trail: This moderate 2-mile hike descends down into a gorgeous canyon and continues on to the Courthouse Towers.
If you are visiting Arches National Park with a baby I recommend wearing the baby in a soft carrier or hiking pack on all of these trails due to loose gravel and rock.
Delicate arch at sunrise was gorgeous!
Best Hikes for Teenagers in Arches National Park:
The view of delicate arch through donut arch
Double O Arch: This moderate 4.1-mile trail starts at Devil’s Garden trailhead but goes beyond Landscape Arch. There are narrow ridges ad rocky terrain. Use caution. Go 0.5 miles further to Dark Angel Arch.
Fiery Furnace: This trail requires a permit. This trail has no defined length as it is not marked. It takes hikers through labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons that requires agility to exploreChildren under age 5 can not hike this. All members in the hiking party must watch the National Park safety video.
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These cuties at double arch!!
2) 4x4 Through the Park
the three sisters is an arches national park icon — it’s located along the main road through the park
Arches National Park allows certain companies to bring tourists through the park to 4x4! Yes! Unlike many other U.S. National Parks, this one allows off-roading. This is a perfect way to see inaccessible backcountry parts of the park. If you have dreamed of experience Arches National Park without the crowds — this is definitely something to consider.
These tours teach about the history, archeology, and geology of this world famous National Park. You will get to experience steep rock walls, sweeping sandstone dunes & fins, and meandering valleys. Along the way, you will get to see iconic spots such as Marching Men, Tower Arch, Eye of the Whale Arch, and so much more!
There are three companies to choose from:
Adrift Adventures call 800-874-4483 or 435-259-8594
NAVTEC Expeditions call 800-833-1278 or 435-259-7983
OARS call 800-346-6277 or 209-736-4677
Or you can click the suggested tours below!
the kids looking awesome before our sunrise hike to delicate arch! They are troopers for early wake ups
3) Biking
Biking is an excellent way to explore Arches National Park. This park draws huge crowds every year and parking is limited. Having bicycles or electric bikes to get around will make exploration much easier!
Arches National Park allows you to ride your bike or e-bike on all paved and unpaved roads in the park. You may not ride your bike on trails or anywhere off a road.
Pro Tips from The Park:
“The Salt Valley and Willow Springs dirt roads are less traveled than the paved roads, but they are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand, and other obstacles.”
“Some of the narrowest road sections are along the switchbacks above the visitor center. You can skip this section by driving with your bikes to La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, where there is usually adequate parking.”
“There are no bike lanes or paved shoulders.”
Also - the Moab area offers world-class mountain biking adventures. If you’re here to explore the park but have some extra time — I highly suggest finding some trails outside the park too! You won’t regret it!
If you are newer to mountain biking, I suggest taking a guided tour to find some epic spots! This tour offers a half-day of introductory mountain biking on one of Moab's famous trails. You’ll experience the gorgeous scenery of Arches National Park from across the canyon as you ride across gently rolling terrain.
biking is an excellent way to explore arches national park
4) Auto Tour
A small map to show where each view point in relation to the visitor center
Arches National Park offers many viewpoints with little or no hiking to see some of the best views in the park. Taking a scenic drive is a perfect way to explore Arches National Park with a baby or toddler who is napping! Or if you want to see the sights, but are unable to hike.
The road from Arches Visitor Center to Devils Garden Trailhead (the furthest paved lot in the park) is 17.6 miles. The road can be windy and there can be traffic, but it takes about 33 minutes one way to make the drive in normal conditions.
If you are limited on time, I suggest heading straight to the Sand Dune Arch, then heading back toward the Windows area of the park where you can easily get up close to Double Arch, Turret Arch, and the Windows.
Other overlooks that have a lot of bang for minimal physical effort:
Balanced Rock
Park Avenue Viewpoint
Courthouse Towers Viewpoint
Fiery Furnace View Point
Sand Dune Arch (0.2 mile walk)
Wolfe Ranch & Ute Rock Art
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The view looking from park avenue overlook
5) Photography
working on framing the kids inside of donut arch
Arches National Park is an absolutely fantastic place to practice photography during the golden hours or at night. This park is open 24/7 meaning you can enter to get shots of the milky way in the darkest hours.
I had the chance to practice some of my own photography on our sunrise hike to Delicate Arch. I practiced framing images through Donut Arch and timed shots as the sunlight changed on Delicate Arch.
Here are the best spots for Photos at Sunrise in Arches National Park:
Turret Arch
Double Arch
Double O Arch
Delicate Arch
The Great Wall
Landscape Arch
The Three Gossips
Here are the best spots for Photographs at Sunset in Arches National Park:
North or South Window Arch
Skyline Arch
Tower Arch
Balanced Rock
Park Avenue
Courthouse Towers
Delicate Arch (Very crowded for sunset!)
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The first time we visited arches was in june 2020 and it was so hot!!
6) Arches Junior Ranger Program
The newest Arches national park junior rangers
It’s simple to become an Arches National Park Junior Ranger and is perfect for your time in Arches with Kids!
Pick up one of the Arches National Park Junior Ranger books from the Arches Visitor Center. Then, head out to explore the park’s ecology, Arches, and history! Once the book is complete, head back to a visitor center where a park ranger will check your work in the booklet, give the oath, and then present the coveted Junior Ranger Badge!
Check out the Junior Ranger page to learn more!
READ NEXT: What to do in Zion National Park with Kids
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7) Canyoneering and Climbing
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Arches National Park has some amazing opportunities for climbing and canyoneering. If you’re wanting climb or go canyoning in Arches National Park, please check out the NPS page for rules, regulations, and permit requirements.
Just outside of Arches there are even more opportunities to get out on the adventure of a lifetime in Moab. For me, I like to do adventure sports with trained guides, especially when traveling with kids. Below are a few companies that can get you outfitted and on your next adventure safely!
8) Aerial Tours
Imagine seeing Arches from the sky! All those beautiful red rocks contrasting with the gorgeous blue sky, but seeing it from a brand new perspective — from above! Lucky for all of us, it’s possible to do.
Several companies offer plane or helicopter rides over Arches National Park. This is truly an experience to last your family a lifetime.
Arches National Park is one of the five gorgeous National Parks in Utah. People come from all over the world to experience these natural arches, the red rock sandstone, and the dry arid atmosphere. There are so many kid friendly hikes in Arches National Park, incredible vistas, adrenaline adventures at its doorstep, and an opportunity to witness nature thousands of years in the making. No matter whether you camp inside the park or stay nearby in Moab, Arches National Park is the perfect adventure for all ages. If you’re staying in Moab with kids, plan to also visit Canyonlands and check out my guide What to do in Canyonlands National Park with Kids!
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