Visiting Arches National Park in April
Arches National Park is a stunning landscape located in southeast Utah. Moderate temperatures in the spring make it a good time to visit Arches National Park in April.
Visiting Arches National Park in the spring is one of the most popular seasons due to the moderate temperatures. April is the perfect time of year for hiking, scenic drives, and landscape photography to explore the unique geology filled with arches, fins, and balanced rocks in southeast Utah.
As you plan your trip, use this Arches National Park travel guide to help you know the things to do, what to pack, where to stay and more for an April vacation.
We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year so we have lots of vacation ideas and things to do at Arches in April. The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of April.
April will be crowded because Arches National Park is a popular Utah spring break destination. You will need a timed entry ticket to enter the park in April between 7am and 4pm. Or, we suggest you enter the park before 7am or after 4pm to avoid needing a ticker, and to avoid the crowds!
Another tip we can give for visiting Arches in April is to plan for the temperatures and possible unpredictable weather that could include rain! Use our Arches National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in April. Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
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A Photo Tour of Arches National Park
Take a visual tour through Arches National Park to see the stunning landscapes you’ll see when you visit!
What It’s Like at Arches National Park in April
Arches National Park is open 24/7. Beginning April 1, Arches is one of the nine US National Parks requiring reservations. You must have a timed entry reservation to enter the park from April 1 to October 31. You can enter Arches National Park before 7am and after 4pm without an advance reservation.
You can still visit the park as long as you enter before 7 a.m. We like to head in early enough to see and photograph the sunrise at Arches National Park and beat the crowds!
You can also plan to visit Arches after 5 p.m. when you won’t need a ticket to see and photograph sunset at Arches National Park, or enjoy stargazing at night!
Is Arches National Park Busy in April?
Arches is a popular Utah National Park, especially during the peak spring season.
April is one of the busiest months when it’s spring break in Utah. We recommend going into the park early in the morning before 6 a.m. or late afternoon after 5 p.m.
Weather at Arches National Park in April
April is one of the best times to visit Arches National Park due to the moderate temperatures that aren’t too hot or too cold.
April weather in Arches National Park is “just right” with cooler mornings and evenings, yet daytime temperatures are still moderate. The average highs are near 70 degrees with the lows around 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dress in layers when visiting in April. Remember to stay hydrated and use sun protection:
Arches is a dry desert environment so be sure to also pack and use sunscreen, lip balm and lotion!
Things to Do at Arches National Park in April
You’ll find a variety of Arches National Park spring activities to enjoy the outdoors and explore this stunning park! Here is a list of things to see, do and photograph at Arches in April.
There are fun way to get the family excited before, during and after the trip with National Park activities:
- Arches National Park Coloring Page
- Arches National Park Facts
- National Park Activity Pack (FREE PRINTABLE)
- National Park Activity Books for Kids
All ages will enjoy collecting stamps in their National Park Passport book! Passport booklets and stamp sets are “usually” available at the park visitor centers, but we recommend you get the passport book before the trip, just in case!! We’ve seen sad kiddos when a visitor center is out of passport books. Rangers can stamp a piece of paper, but it’s not just the same experience!
Arches National Park Visitor Center and Ranger Programs in April
The Arches visitor center is open every day in April. We recommend you stop to talk with the park ranger, tell them what you are most interested in, and ask for recommendations.
Arches Ranger-led programs are a good way to get to know more about this unique National Park. Find out what activities are available during your stay in April: Patio Talk, Guided Walk, Evening Program, Fiery Furnace Hikes, and other Special Events like stargazing.
If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, be sure to grab the Junior Ranger booklet so they can earn their Junior Ranger Badge!
Arches National Park Scenic Drive in April
You’ll enjoy driving the Arches National Park scenic drive. It’s a 43 mile paved road with two short spur roads. Plan about 2 to 3 hours, and add more time if you’ll be taking photos or hiking at any of the stops.
There are many pullouts and parking lots along the scenic drive that are perfect for any Arches National Park photography you want to do. You’ll be able to see many arches and landmarks from these pullouts and parking lots. Others require a hike to see.
We recommend the Arches GuideAlong to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location.
Arches National Park Hiking in April
Spring hiking at Arches National Park is enjoyable in April because when the sun is out, it’s not overly hot. This is quite different from summer when you’re sweating and worrying about heat exhaustion.
It’s important to carry water bottles to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and a sun hat! Most of the trails at Arches are fully exposed to the sun, which is perfect for your visit in April since you aren’t really worrying about finding shade!
Keep in mind the Windows Area and Devil’s Garden Trail are popular hiking areas so you’ll want to do them in the morning so you don’t have to fight the crowds.
You’ll find Delicate Arch crowded in the afternoon because it’s a popular spot for sunset photography. It will be hard to get a parking spot so you may want to plan to hike this in the morning.
These other hikes in Arches National Park are shorter and can be done any time: Sand Dune Arch, Skyline Arch and Balanced Rock.
Arches National Park Photography in April
April is an amazing time for Arches National Park photography because the snow-capped La Sal Mountains provide a stunning background for many of the landscape photos you’ll take.
We recommend La Sal Viewpoints, Balanced Rock, Turret Arch or the Windows, for taking photos of the sunrise at Arches National Park!
Delicate Arch is the most popular photo spot for sunset at Arches National Park. In April, you won’t have this location to yourself so be patient waiting for everyone to take their turn to get a photo under the arch! Don’t forget a headlamp for the hike back to your car!
CHECK OUT our 3 day Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide to capitalize on all the best places and times to take pictures in the park!
Arches National Park Stargazing in April
Definitely take one evening to stay after the sun set and LOOK UP! The slogan “Half the Park is After Dark” encourages visiting at night to simply Look up! On a clear night, the sky is literally filled with stars.
Arches National Park is internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of its remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies.
Arches is a popular destination for astrophotographers so you won’t be alone in the park at night. Don’t forget to use your headlamp with a red light so you don’t interfere with the other photographers using a bright white light.
In April you can see the milky way from 1:00 to 5:00 am. Yes, this is a bit early for most, but rewarding for those who want to make the effort!
Arches National Park Tours in April
There are a variety of Arches National Park tours available in April to learn more about the area and its history. Guided tours include hiking, scenic drive, rock climbing, off road driving, and photography to name a few.
Always check in advance to know what’s available for the time you’ll be visiting the park!
- Immersive Arches National Park All Day Hiking Experience
- Half-Day Private Guided Tour at Arches National Park
- Sunset and Night Photography Tour in Arches
- Day Photography in Arches, Canyonlands, & Moab
- Private Half-Day Canyoneering Tour Near Arches
- 4×4 Adventure in Arches National Park
Arches National Park Camping in April
You will need a reservation for Arches National Park camping in April at Devil’s Garden Campground.
Reservations for camping at Arches are required from March 1- October 31. If you don’t reserve a spot ahead of time, you most likely will need to find a place to camp outside the park. You can reserve these spots up to 6 months in advance.
You’ll also find RV Parks near Arches National Park for camping in case you can’t get a spot in the park.
Lodging Near Arches National Park in April
If camping isn’t your thing, there are more lodging options near Arches:
- Hotels near Arches National Park
- Cabins Near Arches National Park
- Glamping Near Arches National Park
BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps
Things To Do Near Arches in April
You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Arches National Park to add to your April vacation:
- Things to Do Near Arches National Park
- Canyonlands National Park in April
- Moab in April
- Dead Horse Point State Park
Arches National Park Travel Planner
We’ve created some done-for-you itineraries for visiting Arches depending on the time you have to spend at the park. Click the graphic below to get a free travel bundle that includes printable daily itineraries. Or click the links below to see detailed itineraries of the best things to do at Arches!
- Arches National Park in One Day
- Two Days in Arches National Park
- Three Days in Arches National Park
- Arches National Park and Canyonlands in One Day
