Things to Do at Arches National Park in April

Arches National Park in Utah is the perfect vacation spot for those who enjoy outdoor activities. There are a variety of things to do at Arches National Park in April like hiking, biking, rock climbing, photography, and scenic drives!

Due to the moderate temperatures, Arches National Park in April is a popular month to visit to see a landscape filled with sandstone arches, balanced rocks, and fins. In April you can comfortably explore the park without the excessive heat of the summer months.

Arches National Park things to do in April

You’ll find a variety of things to do at Arches National Park in April for all interests! Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy hiking and biking. Photographers will capture amazing sunrise and sunset photos. Others will experience the park on scenic drives, camping, or stargazing.

Use this Arches National Park travel guide to plan your April vacation: things to do, what to pack, where to stay, and more! We live close enough to the park to visit various times throughout year so we have lots of Arches National Park vacation ideas to share! The tips we share are based on our experiences visiting the area throughout the years, and specifically for the month of April.

NOTE: 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.

Another tip for visiting Arches in April is to plan for the temperatures and weather for the time you’ll be at the park. 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!

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!

Things to Do at Arches National Park in April

There are many Arches National Park spring activities to explore the park and enjoy the beautiful landscape. Here is a list of things we recommend you see, do, and photograph in April at Arches!

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!

Visitor Center and Ranger Programs in April at Arches

Arches National Park is open 24/7. The Visitor Center is open every day in April – check the website for the hours it’s open when you’ll be visiting. 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!

scenic drive at Arches National Park — Arches scenic drive

Scenic Drive in April at Arches National Park

Driving the Arches National Park scenic drive you can see “most” of the points of interest in the park. It’s a paved road that’s a total 43 miles, including the two short spur roads. Plan about 2 to 3 hours for the full drive, but add more time if you’ll be taking photos or hiking at any of the stops.

The few Arches National Park photo spots that can’t be seen from pullouts or parking lots are Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. There is a Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint to see the arch from a distance, and this is definitely a must-see if you can’t do the full Delicate Arch hike to see it up close.

Check out the Arches GyPSy Guide App to hear fun behind-the scenes stories and local tips that play automatically as you drive, based on your GPS location. We highly recommend this audio tour app!!

Hiking in April at Arches National Park

There are easy, moderate, and strenuous Arches National Park spring hikes. April is a perfect time for hiking when the weather is not too hot or too cold.

To avoid the crowds, we recommend you hit the trails in the morning, or later in the afternoon.

Remember that Arches is located in a desert environment so it’s important to stay hydrated and wear sunscreen.

Some of the best hikes in Arches National Park in April:

Delicate Arch
Devil’s Garden Trail to Landscape Arch
The Windows Area
Skyline Arch
Sand Dune Arch & Broken Arch

Photography in April at Arches National Park

Arches National Park, with its stunning natural architecture, offers breathtaking landscapes for photographers. Sunrise and sunset are particularly enchanting times to photograph Arches when the red rock formations are illuminated in a warm, golden light.

Sunrise photo spots at Arches National Park: La Sal Overlook, Courthouse Towers, Turret Arch, and Delicate Arch.

Sunset photo spots at Arches National Park: Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, Turret Arch, and Skyline Arch.

The morning is the best time to take Arches National Park pictures without people climbing on the rocks at Balanced Rock, Turret Arch, North Window, or Double Arch!

CHECK OUT our 3 day Arches & Canyonlands Itinerary and Photography Guide so you know all the best places and times to take pictures here!

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

Stargazing in April at Arches National Park

One of the most unique Arches National Park spring activities is stargazing! The park is internationally recognized as one of the best places for stargazing because of its remote location, accessibility, altitude and clear skies.

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. Be sure to schedule one night to enjoy the night sky at Arches!

Astrophotographers from around the world visit Arches National Park so you won’t be alone in the park at night. In April the milky way is visible from 1:00 am to 4:45 am.

Arches National Park Stargazing Areas:

Balanced Rock Picnic Area
The Windows
Garden of Eden Viewpoint
Panorama Point

If you’ll be doing astrophotography, be sure to use a headlamp with a red light. The red light minimizes the disruption of night vision and allows you and other photographers around you to see their surroundings while preserving the sensitivity of their eyes to low-light conditions.

Guided Tours in April at Arches

Booking a guided Arches National Park tours can significantly enhance your experience to learn more about the area and its history.

Some of the tours available in April include hiking, scenic drive, rock climbing, off road driving, and photography to name a few.

tent camping at Arches — Tent camping at Arches

Camping in April at Arches National Park

You will need a reservation for camping at Arches National Park in April. Campsites at Devil’s Garden Campground require a reservation from March 1- October 31. You can reserve these spots up to 6 months in advance.

There are quite a few RV Parks near Arches National Park for camping in case you can’t get a spot in the park.

Or you can find BLM areas for camping around Moab as well.

Lodging in April Near Arches National Park

If camping isn’t your thing, there are a variety of options so you can find the best place to stay for your travel style and budget.

Arches & Canyonlands AUDIO TOUR
(GuideAlong)

“Download the app to your phone – no cell or wifi service needed. Based on your GPS location, the app takes you on a guided tour of the park and points out all the interesting features and stops. It’s like having a park ranger in the car with you.”

What It’s Like at Arches National Park in April

April is one of the busiest months when it’s spring break in Utah. One of the best ways to escape the crowds, and not worry about getting a Timed Entry Ticket, is to enter the park early in the morning before 6 a.m. or late afternoon after 5 p.m.

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.

Weather at Arches National Park in April

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. Be prepared for rain any time during the month.

Dress in layers when visiting in April and pack at a minimum:

Arches is a dry desert environment so be sure to also pack lip balm and lotion!

FIND HIKING GEAR AT AMAZON

FIND HIKING GEAR AT REI

Things To Do Near Arches National Park in April

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

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Things to Do at Arches National Park in April

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

Things to Do at Arches National Park in April

Visitor Center and Ranger Programs in April at Arches