Arches National Park Spring Activities

This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.

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!

Spring Vacation at Arches National Park

When you visit Arches National Park in the Spring, the temperatures are “just right” to enjoy the outdoors.

• Arches in March: Highs 64° | Lows 35° F
• Arches in April: Highs 71° | Lows 42° F 
• Arches in May: Highs 82° | Lows 51° F

But Arches is a small park and it’s a popular destination for spring break in Utah so be prepared for crowds!

From April through October the Arches National Park Time Entry program is running. Timed entry tickets will be required to enter the park from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and will allow visitors to enter the park during a one-hour specified window of availability. After entering, visitors may stay in the park as long as they wish for the remainder of the day. Reservation holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket.

Visitors can book reservations first-come, first-served on Recreation.gov to get the timed entry ticket. The park will release reservations three months in advance in monthly blocks.

You CAN visit Arches without a ticket as long as you enter the park before 6 a.m or after 5 p.m. That’s the best time of day for Arches National Park photography anyway.

Arches National Park Spring Activities

There are so many fun Arches National Park activities you can do in the spring.

Spring Ranger-led Programs at Arches

The Arches National Park Visitor Center is the first place you want to stop to get up-to-date information and conditions. It’s open every day of the year with a few seasonal closures – check the website for Arches National Park operating dates and hours.

Did you know you can talk with the park ranger, tell them what you are most interested in and ask for recommendations on things to do? You can also find out what Arches Ranger-led Programs are available at the time of your visit.

The Visitor Center has exhibits to learn about the park as well as a bookstore. Restrooms and drinking water are also available here.

If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, be sure to check out the Arches Junior Ranger Program!

Spring Scenic Drive at Arches National Park

The Arches National Park scenic drive is a great way to see the park. There are various points of interest along the scenic drive in the park where you can take photos, go hiking or just stop and enjoy the scenery!

Download the Arches National Park map to navigate along the scenic road to each point of interest.

We highly recommend getting the Arches + Canyonlands GyPSy Guide Audio Tour: use the suggested itineraries in the app tour plan, or divide the commentary to create your own half, full or multi day sightseeing trips. 

When visiting Arches in the winter, the park road might be closed after a snowfall for several hours for plowing. For road conditions getting to Arches, check the Utah Road Weather Forecast or call 1-866-511-UTAH (8824).

Park roads, parking lots, and pullouts can still be icy, especially in shaded areas. Check at the visitor center for the latest information on road conditions.

Spring Photography at Arches National Park

The park is filled with endless Arches National Park photography opportunities. In the spring the snow-covered La Sal Mountains provides a terrific backdrop to landscape photos of Arches.

If you’re serious about taking photos at Arches, check out these resources:

• Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide
• Sunrise at Arches National Park 
• Sunset at Arches National Park
• Arches National Park Photo Spots

In early spring you may still want photographer gloves and rechargeable hand warmers for the colder mornings and evenings.

Spring Stargazing at Arches National Park

Did you know that Arches National Park is internationally recognized as one of the best places to see the stars at night?

Due to its remote location and clear skies, you get to see, and photograph, some of the most incredible views of the night sky… and even the Milky Way! 

Good stargazing spots:

• Balanced Rock
• The Windows
• Garden of Eden Viewpoint
• Panorama Point

In the spring, the Milky Way is visible at these times:

• March – 3:00 am to 5:45 am
• April – 1:00 am to 4:45 am
• May 11:00 pm to 4:00 am

Spring Hiking at Arches National Park

Exploring the Arches National Park hiking trails is one of the best ways to appreciate the park. There are easy trails for families and casual hikers and strenuous trails for those who aren’t afraid of a challenge.

It’s hard to define the best hikes in Arches National Park, but here are our picks for the easy and moderate trails. 

The easy trails we recommend are Balanced Rock, The Windows, and Double Arch. Kids, and adults, will love the Sand Dune Arch trail through a mini slot canyon with an area to play in the sand.

The moderate trails we recommend are Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden Trail or Park Avenue. And for the more difficult primitive trails you can do Fiery Furnace or Tower Arch.

When hiking in the spring it’s important that you take the proper gear and plenty of water as well as dress in moisture-wicking layers.

• What to Bring on a Day Hike
• Hiking Gear and Tips for Kids
• Photography Gear for Hiking
• Best Cameras for Hiking

Spring Camping in Arches National Park

If you’re interested in Arches National Park camping there’s only one small campground in the park. You will need to reserve a spot at Devil’s Garden Campground for spring camping beginning March 1.

There are other camping options in the Moab area if you can’t get a reservation in the park:

• Island in the Sky Campgrounds
• RV Parks Near Arches National Park

More Arches National Park Activities

• Biking
• Canyoneering 
• Backpacking
• Rock climbing
• Horseback riding
• Things to Do Near Arches National Park
• TOURS near Arches 

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Where to Stay Near Arches National Park:

There are no hotels in Arches so most people stay in the nearby town of Moab. There are all types of lodging in and near Moab from budget-friendly hotels to higher-prices resorts. You’ll also find vacation rentals, a hostel, campgrounds and RV parks.

• Places to Stay Near Arches National Park
• Hotels Near Arches National Park
• Places to Stay Near Arches National Park with Kids
• Arches National Park Camping

Here are a few of our favorite places to stay near Arches:

• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Moab – we enjoyed our stay and highly recommend this hotel due to its location close to Arches.
• Purple Sage – our all-time favorite place to stay in Moab – walking distance to shopping, full kitchen, and only 8 units so you don’t feel lost in a large hotel. 
• Red Cliffs Lodge – rooms up to 6 people – located 17 miles from Moab, this lodge is known for its beautiful location, winery and actiities like horseback riding, fishing and more!
• Vacation Rentals Near Arches – we really like rentals with a kitchen, washer and dryer and amenities like a swimming pool and hot tub.