Things to Do Near Arches National Park

If you love the outdoors, you’ll find a ton of things to do near Arches National Park like hiking, climbing, biking, river rafting, photography and more!

Of course, if you’ll be near the park, you’ll want to use our Arches National Park travel guide to know what to do in the park as well.

things to do near arches national park

Use our list below to learn more about the hiking trails, scenic drives, adventure tours, photography spots and more you’ll find near Arches National Park.

To help you plan an amazing vacation, check out these Arches National Park itineraries:

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!

Activities to Do at Arches National Park

If you’re looking for things to do near Arches, we assume you’ll want a list of activities to do when visiting Arches National Park. You can enjoy all types of outdoor activities at this park!

Always check the NPS website for the most updated information about fees, services and permits.

National And State Parks Near Arches National Park

Arches is a few miles away from the small town of Moab, Utah. This area includes two National Parks (Arches and Canyonlands) and one State Park (Dead Horse Point) to explore.

canyonlands national park

Canyonlands Island in the Sky

The distance from Arches National Park to Canyonlands National Park Island in the Sky is 28 miles, and takes about 35 minutes to drive there. There are a variety of things to do at this district of Canyonlands:

Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point State Park

Dead Horse Point State Park is a must-do side trip if you’ll be going to Canyonlands Island in the Sky. The view of the gooseneck bend of the Colorado River cannot be seen from Canyonlands. It’s worth the entrance fee to see and photograph the views you’ll see at this Utah State Park.

There are some easy Dead Horse Point State Park hiking trails to explore the various views from the rim of the canyon. This is a fabulous place to watch and photograph the sunset!

canyonlands-needles (2)

Needles Canyonlands

The Canyonlands Needles district is about 80 miles from Arches National Park, and will take 1 hour and 30 minutes to get there. Be sure to stop at Newspaper Rock on your way to the park!

Things to Do Near Arches National Park

You’ll find a ton of things to do in Moab to keep you busy!

Hiking Near Arches National Park

The National and State Park boundaries aren’t the only places to explore. You’ll find amazing Moab Utah hiking trails to explore.

Your hiking day pack for the Moab area needs to include water, sunscreen and chapstick!

Biking Near Arches National Park

Moab mountain biking is a very popular activity with a variety of trails for any experience level. Moab is known for the world famous Slickrock Bike Trail. It’s a challenging 9.6 mile trail that’s highly technical and considered by many to be the ultimate mountain biking experience.

Join a Moab bike tour to explore the amazing landscape in the area!

Moab has world-famous offroad 4x4 trails.

Off-Roading Near Arches

Off-roading tours are the best way to see the scenery and enjoy the thrill, especially if you’re intimidated by the vehicles and terrain.

You can also book a Drive Along Tour where you get behind the wheel of a Jeep, and under the watchful eye of an experienced guide, follow their vehicle along the trail. We have used and recommend Outlaw Jeep Tours for the Drive Along Tour.

Reflection of red rocks in the Colorado River along Potash Road in Moab.

Moab Scenic Byway: Potash Road

The Potash Road is a Scenic Byway where you can see great views of the Colorado River, ancient rock art, and dinosaur tracks. It’s a 34 -mile round-trip drive to Jug Handle Arch and back to Moab. Plan two hours for the trip with stops to take photos.

Potash Road begins about 4 miles north of Moab, where it turns off of Highway 191. Watch for signs and pullouts indicating petroglyphs. And look for the “Dinosaur Tracks” sign and turnout. A short hike takes you to a series of three-toed dinosaur tracks. READ to find more dinosaur tracks in the area.

The final attraction on the road is Jug Handle Arch. Beyond this, the road becomes rough and requires a 4WD vehicle. It connects with the Shaefer Trail in Canyonlands.

Red raft going down rapids on a river - white water river rafting

White Water Rafting Near Arches

Rafting the mighty Colorado River is a fun activity to do on your Arches National Park summer vacation! There are half-day, full-day and even multi-day rafting trips. This activity is perfect for families or groups of friends.

If you want to enjoy calm waters, there are sections of the river near the town of Moab where you can do stand up paddleboarding.

Moab Giants dinosaur museum

Moab Giants Near Arches

Moab Giants Dinosaur Park is amazing!! Both kids and adults will have a blast exploring the outdoor trail and walking along 100 life-sized dinosaurs.

This fun attraction in Moab also includes a 5D PaleoAquarium, Tracks Museum and playground. We recommend you go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the scorching heat of the sun.  

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Photography Near Arches

You definitely want to pack your camera to take pictures of the stunning Moab landscape. Download our camera gear checklist!

Sunrise and sunset hours are the best for photography because the reflected light on the red rocks is so vibrant! Some of our favorite sunset spots are along Potash Road and at Fisher Towers!

→ We highly recommend this photography guide if you’re SERIOUS about taking photos in Moab: 3 Day Itinerary & Photography Guide

Arches Canyonlands guides and maps

BUY AT AMAZON: Arches and Canyonlands Guides and Maps

Planning an Arches National Park Vacation:

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.

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.
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