Tips For Visiting Arches National Park With Kids

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park with kids. Since we live so close, we have a ton of tips to share!

Use this Arches National Park travel guide to plan your family vacation. We share tips for visiting Arches with kids plus what to pack, where to stay, and more!

Located in southeast Utah, Arches is a great destination for families to explore the stunning red rock formations found at this National Park!

Kids will find a variety of fun things to do like hiking, camping, earning a Junior Ranger Badge, and more! So pack up your bags and get ready for an unforgettable adventure with kids at Arches National Park!

Check out these Arches National Park itineraries to plan your trip based on the number of days you have to spend at the park:

• 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

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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!

Tips for Visiting Arches National Park With Kids

Arches National Park is a few miles north of the fun outdoor adventure town of Moab, Utah. The landscape you’ll see at Arches includes 2,000 stone archways, giant balanced rocks, and massive pinnacles that immediately draw you in to explore these natural wonders.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park With Kids

When planning a trip with kids, the best time to visit Arches National Park would be the spring or fall.

The weather at Arches National Park can be unbearably hot in the summer. If you do choose to visit in the summer, head out early before the day heats up to enjoy sunrise at Arches National Park!

You can also head out after dinner to enjoy the trails as the day cools off and watch sunset at Arches National Park!

ANY time of year be sure to pack plenty of water – investing in a hydration backpack for each kid ensures they stay hydrated in the hot, dry weather Arches has most of the year. And don’t forget the importance of sun protection: use sunscreen and wear sunhats, even in the winter!

• Arches National Park in the Spring 
• Arches National Park in the Summer 
• Arches National Park in the Fall
• Arches National Park in the Winter

Arches Hours of Operation and Entry Fees

Arches National Park is open 24 hours a day all year round. But you’ll need an Arches Timed Entry Ticket when you visit from April 1 to October 31.

You can pay your fee at the entrance station, at the self-pay station outside the visitor center, or online at pay.gov.

If you plan on also visiting Canyonlands National Park, you may want to consider purchasing the US National Park Pass – it will definitely help you save money. (Did you know when you buy the National Parks Pass from REI, they donate 10% to the National Park Foundation?)

Arches National Park Weather

Since Arches is part of the Colorado Plateau high desert region; this area will experience enormous temperature variations by as much as 40 degrees in twenty-four hours. The most temperate Arches National Park weather will be in late spring (April and May) and in the fall (September and October).

During the mild spring and fall seasons, daytime temperatures average highs of between 60 to 80 degrees F and lows of between 30 to 50 degrees F. During the scorching summers, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees F, while temperatures during the winter are generally between 30 and 50 degrees F, with lows between 0 and 20 degrees F.

Things to do at Arches National Park With Kids

There are fun way to get the kids 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

Here’s a list of fun things to do at Arches National Park when traveling with kids:

Arches Ranger Programs with Kids

It’s a good idea to start your visit at the Arches National Park visitor center. Tell the on-duty ranger what activities you are interested in doing at Arches. The rangers can give you tips for the best things to do with kids. You can also find out what ranger-led programs at Arches National Park are offered during the time you visit.

Arches Passport Stamps with Kids

Kids, and adults, 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 Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program at Arches is a fun kid activity! There are activities to complete in order to earn the Junior Ranger Badge and signed certificate. Grab the free Junior Ranger booklet at the Visitor Center.

Arches Scenic Drive with Kids

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 scenic drive map to navigate along the scenic road to each point of interest.

A fun way to entertain the kids while exploring the scenic drive is using the Arches National Park GuideAlong App! You’ll hear fascinating behind-the scenes stories, local tips, and directions that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you!

Stargazing at Arches National Park with Kids

If you wait for a nice, clear evening, you can see stars from almost anywhere in the park. Be sure to maximize your experience by allowing your eyes time to adjust (usually takes about 30 minutes), avoiding the moon, bringing a star chart, and using a headlamp with red light to reduce harm to your night vision.

Also, areas away from the main road and with fewer obstructions make for ideal stargazing locations and include Balanced Rock Picnic Area, The Windows Section, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, and Panorama Point.

Arches National Park Hiking Trails With Kids

There are many Arches National Park hiking trails that are short and easy access to see cool arches and rock formations. This is what makes Arches National Park such a great choice for a family vacation with kids. 

There are moderate and difficult hikes at Arches that would be appropriate for older kids.

An important tip for hiking with kids is to make sure you select a hike that fits the kids’ abilities. Before you set out on any hiking trail, make sure you have the right hiking gear for kids.

Easy Hikes and Viewpoints at Arches for Kids:

• La Sal Mountain Viewpoint
• Balanced Rock Trail
• Garden at Eden Viewpoint
• The Windows Section Trail
• Double Arch Trail
• Delicate Arch Viewpoints Trail
• Sand Dune Arch and Broken Arch Trail
• Skyline Arch
• Landscape Arch at Devil’s Garden

Less than a quarter mile from the parking lot on a completely flat trail, Sand Dune Arch is a must see stop with kids in Arches National Park. The easy trail leads into a slot canyon covered in deep sand, with an arch at the end. 

Besides the easy hike, the best part for kids is climbing the rocks and sand fins and jumping off into the soft sand below. Even the youngest kids can play around in the sand.

Arches Tours With Kids

You’ll find a variety of family-friendly Arches National Park tours! Booking a tour to explore Arches National Park is a great way to learn more about the area and its history: hiking, scenic drive, rock climbing, off road driving, and photography to name a few.

Here’s a list of fun tours to do at Arches with kids:

• Sunset Hike At Devil’s Garden
• Private Half-Day Canyoneering Tour Near Arches
• 4×4 Adventure in Arches National Park 

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Things to Do Near Arches National Park with Kids

• Kid-Friendly Things to do in Moab, Utah
• Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky
• Needles Canyonlands
• Dead Horse Point State Park

Packing List for Arches National Park

Use our Arches National Park Packing List to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting any time of year! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!