8 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Arches National Park for the First Time
Arches National Park is one of those places that almost doesn’t look real. Like another planet.
My girlfriend and I visited Arches during a trip to Utah in early May. We only spent about half a day inside the park, and while we saw a lot, there were definitely a few things I wish we had done differently.
If you’re planning your first visit, these are the biggest mistakes I would avoid.
Table of Contents
- Mistake #1: Trying to See Arches in Just a Few Hours
- Mistake #2: Only Visiting the Viewpoints
- Mistake #3: Thinking One Water Bottle Is Enough
- Mistake #4: Skipping Sunset
- Mistake #5: Not Spending Time in Moab
- Mistake #6: Thinking You Have to Hike Everything
- Mistake #7: Leaving Before Dark
- Mistake #8: Thinking You Have to Be a Hiker to Enjoy Arches
- FAQ
- Planning Your Utah Trip?
Mistake #1: Trying to See Arches National Park in Just a Few Hours
This is probably my biggest regret.
We only spent about half a day inside Arches National Park.
Did we still have an amazing time?
Absolutely.
But after leaving, I immediately wished we had given ourselves an entire day.
There is so much more to see than most people realize.
If I could do it again, I’d spend:
- The morning hiking Delicate Arch or Devils Garden.
- The afternoon, going back to Moab for dinner then back to Arches, driving the scenic road and stopping at viewpoints and doing smaller hikes like balanced rock, and Park Ave.
- The evening watching sunset around Double Arch or The Windows.
Trying to squeeze everything into a few hours means you’ll constantly feel rushed.
If your itinerary allows, dedicate at least one full day to Arches. You’ll be glad you did.
If you don’t have that time, I also made an article on “Can You Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the Same Day? Here’s How to do it”
Mistake #2: Only Visiting the Viewpoints
One thing that surprised me about Arches was just how much bigger the park felt in person.
You can see for miles in almost every direction.
While the viewpoints are incredible, don’t make the mistake of staying in your car the entire time.
Arches Hiking Tour: More Stops and more walking
Some of our favorite stops included:
- Park Avenue
- Balanced Rock
- Double Arch
- The Windows
We also stopped at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. Looking back, I wish we had made time for the actual Delicate Arch hike, but the tour we did stopped at the view point instead.
If you enjoy hiking, make that one a priority.
If not, that’s perfectly okay too.
You’ll still see plenty of incredible scenery simply driving through the park.
How to spend One Day in Arches National Park Itinerary
Mistake #3: Thinking One Water Bottle Is Enough
Even in early May, the desert heat was no joke
By late afternoon it was already getting pretty warm.
If you’re visiting during the summer, temperatures regularly climb well over 100°F.
Bring more water than you think you’ll need.
I’d also recommend packing:
- Electrolytes
- Granola bars
- Trail snacks
- Sunscreen
- A hat
One thing people don’t realize is dehydration doesn’t just make you thirsty.
It can affect your energy, decision-making, and even your balance while hiking. Be prepared and pack water and snacks.
Mistake #4: Not Staying for Sunset
If there’s one thing I would absolutely recommend, it’s staying for sunset.
The crowds begin to thin out.
The temperatures become much more comfortable.
And the red rocks begin to glow in the setting sun.
Our tour guide told us, the best sunset spots in the park are:
- Double Arch
- The Windows
Those areas are beautiful during golden hour and are fantastic places to simply sit, relax, and take everything in. You can’t go wrong for a spot in Arches, but seeing the sunset truly is something incredible here.
Mistake #5: Not Spending Time in Moab
One mistake a lot of first-time visitors make has nothing to do with Arches National Park itself.
They treat Moab as just a place to sleep.
Don’t do that.
Moab is one of the coolest little outdoor towns I’ve visited and deserves at least a day on it’s own.
There are plenty of great restaurants, breweries, shops, and outdoor activities to enjoy after leaving the park.
If you’re staying in Moab, I’d also recommend checking out:
- Hell’s Revenge
- Colorado River excursions
- Local restaurants
- Scenic drives around town
- Moab UTV Tour! One of the best tours in all of Utah!
We stayed in Moab for two days and there is much to do in Moab aside from just seeing the National Parks.
Check out my guide on 15 Unique Things to Do in Moab Besides Arches & Canyonlands
9 Mistakes to Avoid When Visiting Moab
Mistake #6: Thinking You Have to Hike Every Arch
One thing I really appreciated about Arches National Park is that you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy it.
Sure, hikes like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden are incredible and a little more challenging.
But there are also plenty of amazing viewpoints and shorter walks that allow you to experience the park without spending hours hiking.
Some of my favorite easy stops included:
- Balanced Rock
- Double Arch
- The Windows
- Broken Arch
- Park Avenue
If hiking isn’t your thing, don’t let that stop you from visiting.
Another great option is taking a guided bus tour.
That’s actually how we visited the park, and I thought it was a fantastic experience.
We didn’t have to worry about:
- Driving
- Parking
- Knowing where to go
- Navigation
Instead, we could simply enjoy the scenery and learn about the park along the way.
It’s a great option for first-time visitors, families, or anyone who just wants a more relaxed experience.
Mistake #7: Leaving Before Dark
Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day, making it one of the best places in Utah for seeing the stars.
Thanks to the minimal light pollution, you’ll often see thousands of stars stretching across the desert sky.
Even if you don’t stay late into the evening, I’d recommend at least sticking around through sunset and then seeing if you want to stay later.
Also there are not many bugs around either due to the desert landscape, no trees and not near any lakes or swamps.
Watching the arches and red rocks change colors as the sun drops below the horizon was one of my favorite parts of the visit.
Mistake #8: Thinking You Have to Be a Hiker to Enjoy Arches
Obviously, there are some hikes that are totally worth doing like Delicate Arch or the Fiery Furnace, however you can still see a lot of the park, even if you’re not a hiker.
Taking a bus tour is a fantastic option to see the park. It takes the stress out of driving and planning a day in the park of what to see and where to go. Also, if you’re not a big fan of hiking, then this is a great option for you.
You can either do a half-day tour or a full-day bus tour. You will see more of the park with a full day tour, but even just doing a half-day sunset tour is a great way to experience the park.
For a link to the tours, check them out here:
Arches National Park Half-Day Tour
Arches National Park Full Day Tour
FAQ’s
How many days do you need in Arches National Park?
I recommend spending at least one full day in the park.
We only had about half a day, and although we still saw a lot, I left wishing we had more time to hike Delicate Arch and Devils Garden.
Is Arches National Park worth visiting?
Absolutely.
It’s one of the most unique national parks in the United States and one of the highlights of any Utah road trip.
click here for the blue print of my entire Utah road trip: How to Visit all of Utah’s National Parks in 6 Days! (My Full Itinerary)
Even if you’re not a big hiker, there are plenty of scenic viewpoints and short walks that make it well worth the visit.
What’s the best time to visit Arches National Park?
Personally, I think spring and fall are the best times to visit.
The weather is much more comfortable for hiking, and you’ll avoid some of the extreme summer heat.
We visited in early May, and while it was already getting warm by the afternoon, it was still a great time to explore.
Should I visit Arches or Canyonlands?
If it’s your first trip to Moab, I would recommend visiting both if you have time.
Each park offers something completely different.
If you only have one day, check out my comparison guide below.
Arches vs Canyonlands: Which National Park Is Better for First-Time Visitors?
Planning Your Utah Trip?
Planning a trip to Utah can get overwhelming pretty quickly.
Between Arches, Canyonlands, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, and everything around Moab, there’s a lot to fit into one vacation.
If you’d rather skip the hours of research, I offer custom travel planning services designed specifically for busy professionals and first-time travelers.
Every itinerary is personalized based on your:
- Budget
- Travel dates
- Interests
- Fitness level
- Travel style
Whether you’re visiting Arches for one day or planning a full Utah national parks road trip, I’ll help you create an itinerary that makes the most of your time.