Can You Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the Same Day? Here’s How to do it
Yes — you can visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the same day, and if you plan it right, it’s not rushed or miserable. We only had one day to hit both parks and we found the perfect formula to experience both without feeling super rushed. The key is starting early, focusing on highlights instead of trying to do everything, and splitting your day strategically: Canyonlands in the morning, Arches in the evening.
This guide breaks down exactly how to do a half day in each park, what trails to prioritize, when to eat, and what to skip so you can experience what both of these amazing parks have to offer in just one day.
The Best Way to Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the Same Day
To make this one-day plan work:
- Start before sunrise
- Visit Canyonlands first
- Save Arches for late afternoon and sunset
- Bring snacks and lots of water (seriously)
- Save this for reference
Canyonlands is about a 40 minute drive from Moab while Arches is about 15 minutes, which is why I suggest hitting Canyonlands first
Morning: Canyonlands National Park
If you’re going to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the same day, Canyonlands should always come first. It’s quieter in the morning, cooler for hiking, and less stressful than Arches’ timed-entry.
Start Early
Aim to enter Canyonlands by sunrise or shortly after. Not only is the light incredible, but you’ll beat tour buses and mid-day heat. Starting early also gives you plenty of time to make the most out of each park, so don’t stay up late drinking in Moab the night before!
Important: There is no food or water available inside Canyonlands National Park. Bring:
- I recommend a camelback or pick up a few gallons of water and leave them in your car so you can refill your water bottle in between hikes.
- Snacks or a packed breakfast
- Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, Dri-fit long sleeve)
Stop 1: Mesa Arch (Sunrise If Possible)
Mesa Arch is one of the most iconic viewpoints in Utah and a perfect first stop.
- Distance: ~0.75 miles round trip (1.6KM)
- Time needed: 20–30 minutes
At sunrise, the arch frames the canyon below with glowing light, but even later in the morning, it’s still worth the short walk. A perfect warm-up hike to get your blood flowing and preparing for the long day, with an amazing view.
Stop 2: Grand View Point Trail
Next, head south through the park to Grand Viewpoint Trail, one of the best bang-for-your-buck hikes in Canyonlands. Definitely one of my favorite hikes in the entire Utah trip. Feel free to take your time on this one and just enjoy the incredible views surrounding you.
- Distance: 2 miles round trip (3.2KM)
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Time: 1 Hour
- Why it’s worth it: Endless canyon views with minimal elevation gain
This trail is really a “Wow Utah is incredible” moment. This being our first actual trail in Canyonlands, it was absolutely incredible to walk alongside of canyon, sit over the edge and even rock scramble to a view point at the end of the hike.
Stop 3: Aztec Butte
If you’re moving efficiently and still have energy, Aztec Butte is a fantastic add-on. This isn’t one of the more popular hikes in the park and I’m not sure why. If you’re able-bodied, this trail is tons of fun. You climb up the side of a large rock, but it’s really not as scary or difficult as it sounds. There are markers that you follow, and it truly does feel like you’re off-the-beaten-path. Very unique and tons of fun.
- Distance: ~2 miles round trip (3.2KM)
- About .5 mile rock scrambling going up
- Why go: Rock climbing + great views at the top + not crowded
This is a more unique stop, putting all your muscles to work, but the reward at the top makes it totally worth it.
Optional Stop: Murphy’s Point
If you have something left and want something quieter and less crowded, Murphy Point is a great choice.
- Distance: ~3.5 miles round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
- Crowd level: Low
It’s flat, peaceful, and offers sweeping views that feel far removed from the busy overlooks.
Final Canyonlands Stop: Shafer Canyon Viewpoint (Quick)
Before leaving the park, make a quick stop at Shafer Canyon Viewpoint for a dramatic look down the winding Shafer Trail Road.
There’s a short down-and-back hike to the viewpoint, but it’s right across from the visitor center so you won’t miss it and it’s a perfect trail to stop at on your way out to end your time in Canyonlands. (Side note: There IS a water-filling station at the visitor center)
Bus Tour?
Don’t have a car? Don’t want to do the hiking? Check out this group bus tour that will take you along to the park and pick you up directly in Moab!
Canyonlands National Park Half-Day Bus Tour From Moab
Midday Break: Lunch in Moab
After a full morning in Canyonlands, head back to Moab for lunch. Use this time to grab a bite and a beer and rest your legs for a bit. Hell, if you need to go back to your hotel and take a quick power nap, no judgement here. That’s what we did after grabbing a bite to eat.
Great Lunch Options in Moab
- Moab Brewery – Casual, filling, and close to Arches
- 98 Center – Healthy bowls and salads
- Moab Diner– Quick, classic diner with tons of options
- Trailhead Public House & Eatery – Great burgers, beer options and more. Might take a little longer since it is a more popular spot
Refill water bottles, grab snacks, and rest your legs, the second half of the day is coming.
Afternoon & Evening: Arches National Park
Arches is best saved for late afternoon into sunset. The crowds thin out, the rock glows in golden light, and the park looks really amazing
Timed Entry Tip
Depending on the season, Arches may require timed entry reservations earlier in the day. Entering later in the afternoon or early evening often avoids this, but this was something that definitely caught us off guard when we first went. If you take a bus tour however then it doesn’t matter what time you get in.
Scenic Drive Highlights
Start with the Arches Scenic Drive, stopping at:
- Park Avenue Viewpoint – There is a hiking trail that you can walk down into but to be honest, it’s not worth the time. Just taking in the viewpoint is all you need.
- Balanced Rock – There is a short walk around balanced rock so you can see it from all angles. About .5 miles (1.6KM)
- Windows Section (quick walks)
These are low-effort stops that still deliver classic Arches scenery.
Short Hikes to Prioritize
Since you already hiked in the morning, stick to short, high-reward trails:
- Windows Loop – Easy walks to massive arches
- Turret Arch – Quick add-on with great views
- Sand Dune Arch – Short hike, great views and shady
- Fiery Furnace – About a 5 minute walk to the view point from the Parking Lot
- There is also a 2.2 mile trail loop (3.5KM) that is like a labyrinth through the rocks that has loose sand and narrow edges that would be a great add on if time allows.
What about Delicate Arch? If you really want to hike Delicate Arch, make that your first stop or go back first thing in the morning. The trail is very busy, about 3 miles round trip and about 500 feet of elevation so it might be difficult to fit in. Unfortunately, we did not get to hike to it, but there is a viewpoint area that you can drive to and take pictures at. If you’re short on time, this is a fine option.
Sunset Finale: Double Arch
End your day at Double Arch, one of the most underrated sunset spots in Arches. This is what we did on our tour. We took the final minutes, found a great spot to sit and watch the sunset over the arches.
- Short walk from the parking lot
- Massive arches with glowing evening light
- Less crowded than Delicate Arch
- Short and easy walking trails to walk around and through arches
Watching the sun dip behind the arches is the perfect reward after successfully visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the same day.
Looking for Arches Tours Instead?
Arches National Park Sightseeing Tour From Moab Utah
Can I Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Park in the Same Day?
Absolutely — if you plan smart. When we went on our Utah road-trip this is what we did. We did both parks in one day and felt very fulfilled with everything we did and saw. We didn’t feel like we left out a ton of things and were very satisfied with what we did get to experience. If you find yourself in a similar situation as us, I hope you find this guide helpful as a reference for how it can be done.
If you’re planning on spending a full day at each park, don’t fear, I have guides for those as well: Canyonlands Day Trip – Arches Day Trip
You won’t see everything, but you will:
- Experience the best highlights of both parks
- Allow yourself an extra day by fitting in both parks on the same day
- End the day with unforgettable views
- Go to bed tired but extremely fulfilled
If you only have one day in Moab, this itinerary lets you make the most of it without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
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