Arches National Park Spring Break Vacation Ideas

Located in southeast Utah, this national park offers a variety of outdoor spring activities to enjoy. You’ll find something for everyone when planning an Arches National Park spring break vacation!

Use this Arches National Park travel guide to know expected weather, what to pack, where to stay, things to do, and more for a spring break trip.

Arches National Park spring break vacation ideas

Arches National Park should be at the top of your list of Utah spring break ideas if if you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, scenic drives, photography, and more!

Check out these done-for-you Arches National Park itineraries that are perfect for spring break travel:

Grab the FREE Arches Travel Bundle Printable below!

Arches National Park Travel Bundle
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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!

Planning An Arches National Park Spring Break Vacation

Arches National Park is the perfect destination for an unforgettable spring break vacation. But Arches gets crowded during the peak spring season. The first part of March is your best bet to avoid the crowds when it’s spring break in Utah.

Here are the important things you need to know before visiting Arches National Park in the spring.

Timed Entry at Arches During Spring Break

Arches National Park is open 24/7. You will need an Arches Timed Entry Ticket from April 1 to October 31. Tickets are required from 7 am to 4 pm daily.

You can still visit Arches even if you don’t have a ticket! Just plan to get into the park around 6 am or after 5 pm. Going at those times will help you avoid the crowds, and those are great times for Arches National Park photography!

Spring Break Weather at Arches

The Arches National Park weather varies from month-to-month in the spring:

With the temperatures changing so much throughout the day, it is especially important to dress in layers. We recommend a fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves for the cooler mornings and evenings, especially in early spring.

La Sal overlook at Blue Hour at Arches NP
La Sal overlook after a rainstorm

Arches National Park Spring Break Activities

Here’s a list of Arches National Park spring activities you can do to enjoy the outdoors at this park!

Visitor Center During Spring Break at Arches

Stopping at the visitor center is the first place you want to stop! It is open every day in the spring.

There you can talk with the park ranger, tell them what activities you want to do, and ask for recommendations.

If you’re visiting Arches National Park with kids, a fun way to get to know more about the park is to participate in Arches National park ranger-led hikes and campfire talks.

Kids can earn an Arches National Park Junior Ranger badge by completing a booklet full of activities to do while in the park.

Arches National Park scenic drive
Arches National Park scenic drive

Scenic Drive at Arches During Spring Break

The Arches National Park scenic drive is a terrific spring break activity. It’s a 43-mile road with spur roads that will take about 2 to 3 hours. Plan more time if you’ll be taking photos or hiking along the way.

There are a ton of Arches National Park photo spots along the drive. You’ll see many arches and landmarks at the various pullouts and parking lot, or by a short walk.

There are some unpaved roads you can take to explore further, but you will want to check at the visitor center for up to date road conditions to see if they are safe to go on, especially in early spring. 

photographing Arches National Park
Photographing Arches National Park

Photography at Arches During Spring Break

If you plan to take Arches National Park photos, here are some tips to get great pictures during spring break:

Some of our favorite places to catch sunrise at Arches National Park are La Sal Overlook, Courthouse Towers, and the Windows area. If you don’t want people climbing on the rocks in your photos, plan to visit Balanced Rock, Turret Arch and the Windows in the morning.

Delicate Arch is an iconic location to see and photograph, and the most popular spot for sunset at Arches National Park. It’s hard to get a photo of the arch without people at sunset!

We’ve created a 3 day Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide that details all the places and times to take pictures!

Balanced Rock with the milky way at Arches
Balanced Rock with the milky way

Stargazing at Arches During Spring Break

There is a reason why Arches National Park is internationally recognized as one of the best places to stargaze. The skies are clear and with the park in a remote location it allows you to get some of the most incredible views of the night sky that you will ever see. 

In the spring you’ll be able to see and photograph the milky way! Good Arches locations for stargazing:

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

Here’s the list of times the milky way is visible in the sky during the spring:

  • March: 3:00 am to 5:45 am
  • April: 1:00 am to 4:45 am
  • May 11:00 pm to 4:00 am
The Spectacles at Arches
The Windows hiking trail

Hiking at Arches During Spring Break

Arches National Park hiking trails are perfect for families, casual visitors who want to explore, and avid hikers that want a real adventure. 

Some of the easiest and best hikes in Arches National Park are Balanced Rock, The Windows, and Double Arch. Many of these are paved and easy enough for kids to enjoy as well. Kids will also love the Sand Dune Arch trail!

If you are looking for a moderate trail we recommend Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden Trail or Park Avenue.

For the more difficult trails you can do any of the primitive trails, Fiery Furnace or Tower Arch.

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

RV camping at Arches National Park
RV driving through Arches National Park

Camping During Spring Break at Arches

If you want to do Arches National Park camping in the spring, you will need to reserve a spot at Devil’s Garden Campground.

These spots are available to reserve 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.

More Spring Break Activities at Arches

  • Biking the park (on the road)
  • Canyoneering 
  • Backpacking
  • Rock climbing
  • Horseback riding
  • TOURS near Arches 

Things To Do Near Arches National Park

You’ll find a ton of other places to visit in Utah that are near Arches National Park to add to your itinerary:

Arches Canyonlands guides and maps

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Arches National Park Spring Break Resources:

Places to stay near Arches:

Arches National Park photo spots checklist optin

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