Arches National Park welcomes more people through its park entrance every year as visitor numbers more than doubled between 2006 and 2019. Everyone wants to discover the stunning Mars-like landscape and 2,000 red rock natural arches of one of the best national parks in the United States!
The best time to visit Arches National Park will greatly depend on your travel style and the experiences you want to have.

Because it’s nestled in the mountains of southeastern Utah, Arches National Park has a ‘High Desert’ climate. Its elevation is 4,085 to 5,653 feet but it can still experience extreme heat.
As the gateway to Arches NP, Moab is the cultural heart of the region. This city hosts lots of awesome events year-round that you might not want to miss.
There are tons of factors to consider when working out the best time to visit Arches National Park! This complete guide breaks down the best time of year by month, season, activity, and more. You’ll be able to plan the perfect national parks trip so that your first visit to Arches National Parks is truly special.
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Arches National Park Overview by Season
Arches National Park in the Summer Months
Unsurprisingly, the summer months are the hottest time of the year in Arches National Park. Daytime temperatures in June, July, and August regularly exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Short and heavy rain showers are also more common in the months of July, August, and September.

Due to the school summer break, this season is also the peak season. The high temperatures do nothing to deter people from venturing to Arches NP! Many families take road trips in southern Utah during this time of year and will visit several other national parks in the state including Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Since summer is the most popular time for visitors traveling to Arches National Park, there is an abundance of ranger programs during this season. You can join guided tours, hikes, and art programs every day.
Pro Tip: Be sure to go to one of the stargazing, or night sky ranger talks in Arches during the summer – it’s a great way to beat the heat, and get amazing information at the same time! Plus, there’s no additional cost for park visitors beyond your regular entrance fee.
Arches National Park in the Fall Months
Average temperatures in the fall months are warm in the middle of the day but tend to be cooler in the mornings and late evenings. Traveling to Arches National Park in the fall is a great time of year for a scenic drive, as the fall foliage will complement the red rocky landscape of the national park.
It’s still a popular time for visitors but most of the ranger-led tours will have finished by the end of September. Stargazing, however, is a popular activity in the fall.

Arches National Park in the Winter Months
There are fewer crowds in the winter months than at any other time of year. Arches National Park’s high elevation becomes apparent with the freezing cold temperatures and dustings of snow are not uncommon.
It’s not the best time to visit Arches National Park if you like hiking as many of the paths become slippy with ice. However, there is no timed entry system between November and March so it’s the ideal time for a spontaneous trip, though some unpaved roads might be closed.

Arches National Park in the Spring Months
Like fall, the spring months boast average highs above 60ยฐF but the cooler temperatures remain at night. Crowds ramp up considerably from March to May, with peak times being spring break and Memorial Day Weekend.
Park Rangers begin leading guided tours in April which is also when the timed entry system starts up again. Wildflowers also start blooming around the national park during this time of year.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park by Month
Arches National Park in January
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 41ยฐF (5ยฐC) Lows of 17.5ยฐF (-8ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 2 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 9.8 Hours (sunrise at 7:33 AM and sunset at 5:20 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Arches Ultra Race, Moab Music Festival – Winterlude
- Timed Entry Required? No
January is the coldest month in Arches National Park and it’s a good time to visit if you want to avoid crowds. It’ll be super easy to find a spot in the car park at any time of day. Plus, the stargazing opportunities will be fantastic near the new moon as long as there is no snowfall.
On the other hand, daylight hours are low and the weather is freezing cold. There are no ranger tours in January and some of the unpaved roads might be closed due to bad weather. However, you’ll still be able to access the park via the main road and the visitor center is still open.

Arches National Park in February
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 48ยฐF (9ยฐC) Lows of 25ยฐF (-4ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 2 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 10.7 Hours (sunrise at 7:10 AM and sunset at 5:53 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Moab Music Festival – Winterlude
- Timed Entry Required? No
One of the best things about visiting Arches National Park in February is that it’s a great month for stargazing! With less snowfall than in January yet the same long nights, February’s night skies are more likely to be clear.
February will also have fewer crowds allowing you to take photos of the sunrise and sunset uninterrupted by hordes of other visitors.
It’s one of the coldest months to visit Arches National Park and the daylight hours are fairly short. You’ll need to wrap up warm to combat the freezing temperatures but don’t leave your sunglasses at home! February’s clear skies mean you’ll want to wear them on a sunny day.

Arches National Park in March
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 61ยฐF (16ยฐC) Lows of 34ยฐF (1ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 11.9 Hours (7:04 AM and sunset at 6:57 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Spring Break, Skinny Tire Festival
- Timed Entry Required? No
Temperatures are starting to pick up in March, as are the crowds. Some schools will plan spring break for the end of March so be mindful of those dates/weeks. Timed entry is still not required so you can be a little more flexible with your plans, but those parking lots will still fill up fast!
Devil’s Garden Campground will also start to get busier. It is the only one inside the national park and even though it operates on a first-come, first-serve basis in the winter months, it reverts back to reservations only in March.
Arches National Park Visitor Center opens earlier and Park Rangers start to lead hiking and stargazing tours again for the rest of the spring and summer seasons.

Arches National Park in April
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 68ยฐF (20ยฐC) Lows of 41ยฐF (5ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 13.2 Hours (sunrise at 6:42 AM and sunset at 7:54 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Spring Break, Easter Jeep Safari, Wildflower Season
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open January 10th)
April is the best time to visit Arches National Park to see wildflowers and hike. The weather is mild so you can pretty much guarantee that all the paved and unpaved roads will be open for the rest of the spring season and well into the summer and fall months.
With the timed-entry slots starting this month and continuing until October, you can be sure the crowds will pick up! Although there is no extra cost for timed entry, there is a $2 processing fee.

Arches National Park in May
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 79ยฐF (26ยฐC) Lows of 48ยฐF (9ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 14.3 Hours (sunrise at 6:07 AM and sunset at 8:22 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Memorial Day, Moab Arts Festival
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open February 1st)
Thanks to Memorial Day Weekend, May is one of the busiest months to visit Arches National Park. Since the weather is getting warmer, the park’s wildlife is tentatively coming out of hibernation so it’s the best time to visit Arches National Park to spot mule deer, jackrabbits, and many songbirds.
It’s worth heading into the small town/city of Moab for a round trip during May. It’s the month of the Moab Arts Festival where there is live music, arts and crafts fairs, and plenty of kid-focused activities.

Arches National Park in June
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 91.5ยฐF (33ยฐC) Lows of 59ยฐF (15ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 1 Day
- Average Daylight Hours: 14.8 Hours (sunrise at 5:53 AM and sunset at 8:43 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Summer Break, Kokopelli Relay, Moab Free Concert Series
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open March 1st)
With the start of the summer break, June is also one of the busiest months to visit Arches National Park.
It has hot temperatures both during the day and at night with very little shade. It’s good practice to carry plenty of water on any hike in Arches NP, but especially in the summer season.
Visiting the park before or after hours (7 AM and 6 PM) is a win-win. Car parks should hopefully have more spaces and you’ll avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Arches National Park in July
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 97ยฐF (36ยฐC) Lows of 66ยฐF (19ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 14.6 (sunrise at 6:05 AM and sunset at 8:40 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Summer Break, Independence Day, Moab Free Concert Series
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open April 1st)
June might be hot, but July is officially the hottest month in Arches National Park!
It’s also the start of ‘monsoon season’ which can result in short rain showers during the afternoon and flash flooding in the evenings. It continues into August and September and it just means that you should always check the weather forecast and some unpaved roads might be closed.
Bring lots of water with you everywhere and try and stay out of the sun during the middle of the day. Despite the excessive heat, July is one of the busiest months to visit.

Arches National Park in August
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 93ยฐF (34ยฐC) Lows of 64.5ยฐF (18ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 13.7 Hours (sunrise at 6:31 AM and sunset at 8:11 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Summer Break, Moab Free Concert Series
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open May 1st)
High temperatures and unpredictable weather with rain showers continue into August. Since August is mostly still summer break, Arches National Park also remains busy this month too.

Arches National Park in September
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 86ยฐF (30ยฐC) Lows of 53.5ยฐF (12ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 12.5 Hours (sunrise at 6:58 AM and sunset at 7:27 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Labor Day, Moab Festival of Science
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open June 1st)
Temperatures start to dip in Arches National Park in September. Labor Day Weekend crowds mean the park is still fairly busy but the ranger-led tours will start to wind down.
Wear layers as it’ll be hot during the day but a little chilly at night. September is a much better month for camping for this reason!

Arches National Park in October
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 70ยฐF (21ยฐC) Lows of 41ยฐF (5ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 3 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 11.2 Hours (7:27 AM and sunset at 6:40 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Arches Marathon and Half
- Timed Entry Required? Yes (Reservations open July 1st)
October is much cooler than September making it the best time to visit Arches National Park for hiking. This is the last month that timed entry systems are still in place but there are no more park ranger tours until the next summer season.
It’s still a busy month but October is nowhere near as crowded as summer.
With the longer nights, October is a good time to try stargazing. Since the temperatures are finally starting to drop, you’ll see lots of beautiful fall foliage.

Arches National Park in November
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 55.5ยฐF (13ยฐC) Lows of 28.5ยฐF(-2ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 2 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 10.2 Hours (sunrise at 7:11 AM and sunset at 5:20 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Moab Folk Festival
- Timed Entry Required? No
There’s a huge difference in weather between early November and late November. While the early weeks still feel like fall with lots of crisp auburn leaves, the later weeks will feel more like winter. Pack layers so you can be prepared for all eventualities!
If the weather turns frosty, watch out for ice on the trails.

Arches National Park in December
- Average Temperatures: Highs of 41ยฐF (5ยฐC) Lows of 19.5ยฐF (-7ยฐC)
- Average Rainfall: 2 Days
- Average Daylight Hours: 9.5 Hours (sunrise at 7:27 AM and sunset at 4:58 PM)
- Annual Events and Holidays: Holiday Art & Craft Fair, Christmas Day
- Timed Entry Required? No
December is one of the quietest months in Arches National Park and one of the coldest. This time of year is the best time to visit Arches National Park to see snow on the arches, but watch out for slippery and icy hiking paths.
Arches National Park stays open year-round, 24/7 but the visitor center will be closed on Christmas Day.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park for Fewer Crowds
The perfect time to visit Arches National Park for fewer crowds is the off-season from November to early March. The National Parks Service doesn’t run the timed entry system during these months for the simple reason that they are not busy! You will always find space in the parking area and can take photographs without hoards of people.
Devils Garden Campground stays open year-round and is first-come, first-serve from November to February. You can get firewood at the visitor center.
Don’t want to visit Arches National Park in the cold winter months? Plan to arrive before 7 AM and after 6 PM to avoid crowds in other seasons.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park for Hiking
The best time to visit Arches National Park for hiking is between April and October. All the hiking trails will be open and regularly checked by park rangers. These are also the best months for other outdoor activities like rock climbing.

You can book ranger-led tours during the peak summer season or DIY during spring and fall. That being said, you will want to avoid the extreme heat of the summer months by only hiking in the early morning or late afternoon.
Here are some great hikes to the top rock formations in Arches National Park:
- Double Arch Trail and Viewpoint: Double Arch (easy hike)
- Windows and Turret Trail: Turret Arch, North Window, and South Window (short hike)
- Double O Arch Trail: Double O Arch (moderate hike)
- Park Avenue Trail: Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers (moderate hike)
- Devils Garden Trail: Landscape Arch (challenging hike from the Devils Garden Trailhead)
- Primitive Trail: Double Arch (challenging hike)
- Fiery Furnace Trail: Only accessible on a ranger-led hike or with a permit
If you want to hike in winter weather, wear sturdy boots and crampons as the paths are slippy.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park for Stargazing
Did you know that the national parks along the Colorado River Plateau are some of the best places to see the stars in the lower 48 states because they have the darkest skies? It’s been a certified International Dark Sky Park since 2019!
The best months for stargazing in Arches National Park are the spring months of April to May and the fall months of September to October. These times of year strike the perfect balance of long, dark nights with chilly but not freezing cold temperatures in the evenings.

However, if you don’t mind the cold weather, February has the clearest skies. Plus, it’s perfect if you have kids as you won’t need to stay up too late! You can stargaze by yourself or with a ranger.
If you are DIYing your stargazing trip, give your eyes 20-30 minutes to adjust to the darkness. One of the best tips is to bring a red flashlight rather than a white one as it doesn’t spoil the natural night vision of your eyes as much. Download a stargazing app to help you identify constellations.
Park Rangers often lead one to three-hour stargazing sessions in accessible areas of the park like a parking lot or campground during the summer months. Unfortunately, this is when the stargazing is not at its best! Regardless, check the National Park Service website for a list of upcoming stargazing events.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park: THE WINNER!
This guide has shown that every time of year is the best time to visit Arches National Park for different reasons. However, the times of year with the best balance of weather conditions and crowds have to be April and October!
You can see wildflowers in April and fall foliage in October and you can hike any time of day without the summer heat. April is better for ranger-led tours but October is better for stargazing.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park FAQs
How many days do you need in Arches National Park?

You need at least two days in Arches National Park to do the best hikes like the Delicate Arch Trail and the Devils Garden Trail as well as some of the less popular and less crowded ones.
Three or four days in Arches National Park will give you enough time to check out the surrounding area like Moab or Canyonlands National Park.
When is Off-Season at Arches National Park?

The winter season (late November – early March, to be exact) is the off-season at Arches National Park.
The National Park Service does not operate a timed entry system during these months as there is less footfall.
What is the Busiest Month for Arches National Park?

It’s difficult to state one singular busy month in Arches National Park as May, June, and July receive a similar number of cars entering the park.
However, the Memorial Day weekend is probably the result of May’s high numbers, so June and July are the busiest months for Arches National Park.
Digging Deeper
Looking for more information about Arches NP, or travel tips for more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
Pin this Arches NP calendar for later! And if it was helpful for your Arches National Park vacation planning, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide whether they’d like to utilize this information as well!

