The Best Time to Visit Arches National Park (And Worst)

When’s the best time to visit Arches National Park, home to over 2000+ sandstone arches set amidst snowy mountain backdrops?

During a 5 month road trip of mine, I found myself at this Utah-based national park in early March. Light jackets were perfect in the day, but we still had to bring out our big puffies in the crisp night chill. The best part of coming on the cusp of the off-season is the relatively low crowds, so you don’t need to fight for a timed entry. 

The climate at Arches National Park can fluctuate from blazing summers to frosty winters. So, here’s an overview of the visitor seasons at Arches:

• Peak Season: March to October 
• Shoulder Seasons: Late October to November and March
• Off-Peak Season: November to February

Below, let’s delve into the details about the seasons, any fun annual events, and the monthly climate breakdown. Whether you’re planning a one day trip to Arches or a longer stay, hiking the Delicate Arch trail or getting lost in Fiery Furnace, these are the best times to go to Arches National Park.

Best Time to Visit Arches National Park

Best Time of Year to Visit

Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) are widely considered the best times to visit Arches National Park. It’s the perfect season for hiking and exploring, with great daytime temperatures and fewer crowds. And, as the sun sets, the crisp chill sets the stage for stargazing under the vast night sky while gathering around a campfire.

Best Time for Good Weather

For the best weather, again, aim for spring or fall. These seasons bring mild temperatures between 60°F and 80°F, ideal for hiking and wildlife viewing. Spring also brings colorful wildflowers, and in fall, the park’s scenery is enveloped in the golden hues of autumn.

Best Time for Smaller Crowds

Arches is a popular park. So much so that since 2023, during the summer months from April to October, between 7 am and 4 pm, you’ll need a reservation just to get in.

To sidestep the crowds and this requirement, come to Arches in the off-peak season from November to February. During these cooler winter months, the park is less crowded, with visitation often dropping to under 100,000 each month compared to the 200,000+ during peak months. 

Cheapest Time to Visit

The best time to go is during the off-peak season, from November to February. You’ll get cheaper prices for accommodations in the nearby town of Moab, with some hotels offering rates up to 40% off compared to the peak season. Plus, you might score discounted rates for local tours and outdoor equipment rentals.

Best Time for Stargazing

Arches is an International Dark Sky Park, which means they have minimal light pollution. But the absolute best time for stargazing at Arches National Park is during the new moon phase from May to October. 

During these months, the skies tend to be clearer, and the temperatures more comfortable to lay outside. Plus, you will get the best view of the Milky Way, especially in the early evening from September to November.

Worst Time to Visit Arches

The worst time to visit Arches National Park is during the peak summer months from June to August. Trust me, it gets crazy hot with temperatures soaring above 100°F! But even the heat doesn’t deter those summer tourists. You’ll have to deal with the crowds, long lines, reservations, and limited parking, which can deter from the experience.

Park Closures

Arches National Park welcomes visitors 24 hours a day, all year round. The visitor center operates on seasonal hours, from 8 am to 5 pm in the summer and 9 am to 4 pm in the winter. There are no scheduled seasonal closures except on Christmas Day.

Seasons at Arches National Park

Spring (March to May)

As winter retreats, spring in Arches National Park reveals a display of wildflowers under daytime temperatures of 60°F to 80°F.  

This is when I came and thought early mornings and post-sunset still got chilly. Otherwise, hiking, photography, and wildlife viewing are generally fantastic. Critters big and small emerge from their winter hideouts. 

Once March arrives, the following months swiftly transform into the peak season for tourism, so expect a fair share of fellow adventurers. 

Summer (June to August)

Summer in Arches National Park is the most challenging period to visit because of sweltering temperatures that often tip over 100°F. Staying outdoors under peak sun hours can be risky due to potential heat-related illnesses.

The summer also gets occasional thunderstorms, particularly in July and August. These sudden showers cool off the heat but can cause flash floods. Avoid hiking in slot canyons or dry washes during or immediately after rainfall.

Despite the heat, this is the time of year when the park sees its highest visitation, so be prepared for crowded conditions and limited parking.

Fall (September to November)

As summer’s extreme heat begins to simmer down, fall in Arches drops back to a comfortable 60°F to 80°F during the day and cooler nights. This period is particularly wonderful for hikers, as the trails are less crowded, and the weather is typically dry.

Although there isn’t too much foliage in this part of the desert, the little the park has does turn into an autumnal palette. As the fall season progresses, many animals increase their activity to stock up on food. You might even catch sight of migrating birds making their way south.

Visitation is still high through October, but the park closes in on quieter shoulder season times come November. 

Winter (December to February)

Winter in Arches National Park is very quiet compared to the other seasons. From December to February, the park could be under a blanket of snow, transforming the red sandstone arches into frost-tipped sculptures. The snow-capped La Sal Mountains are almost certainly entirely white. Daily temperatures during this season can dip as low as 20°F and rarely rise above 50°F.

This is the park’s quiet season, as the cold weather tends to ward off large crowds to a quarter of peak visitation numbers.

The colder temperatures and snowfall can lead to icy and slick conditions on trails and roads. Winter storms can be sudden and unpredictable.

arches national park monthly weather

Here is a month-by-month breakdown of the average high and low temperatures and precipitation at Arches National Park:

Month	Average High (F)	Average Low (F)	Average Precipitation (Inches)
January	44	22	0.56
February	52	28	0.47
March	64	35	0.68
April	71	42	0.75
May	82	51	0.72
June	93	60	0.39
July	100	67	0.91
August	97	66	0.99
September	88	55	0.89
October	74	42	1.18
November	56	30	0.60
December	45	23	0.53

Best Time of Day to Visit

Sunset is the best time of day in Arches National Park, as it bathes the park’s iconic geological formations in a crazy-colored fire-orange glow. This magical time of day adds depth and contrast to the landscape for incredible photographs. The cooling temperatures also make evening hikes much more comfortable and allow wildlife to be more active.

Here’s a breakdown by time of day:

• Morning (6:00 am – 10:00 am): The park is quiet and peaceful, with cool temperatures, making it a good time for hikes. Wildlife activity is at its peak, and the sunrise light is excellent for photography. The monolith structures, like Park Avenue and La Sal Mountain Viewpoint, look better in the day than in the afternoon. 
• Midday (10:00 am – 4:00 pm): This is the hottest and busiest time. 
• Evening (4:00 pm – sunset): Catch a breathtaking sunset as the day cools down. Many of the monoliths will be shaded.
• Night (sunset – sunrise): After dark, Arches National Park has excellent stargazing opportunities thanks to its dark skies. 

Special Events or Festivals

There are a lot of annual special events and festivals happening in or near Arches National Park. Being so close to Moab and the neighboring parks, these events add even more excitement to your visit. Here are some popular ones that you may want to plan your trip around:

• Memorial Day Weekend Art Show: Talented artists from across the West all gather in Moab’s Swanny City Park on Memorial Day weekend to show off their stunning creations.
• Holiday Craft Fair: In early December, local artisans display their handcrafted gifts.
• Moab Art Festival: Celebrating local and regional arts, this festival is a colorful explosion of creativity. You’ll see everything from pottery to paintings and more.
• Skinny Tire Festival: This cycling event takes riders through landscapes around Moab, including parts of Arches National Park.
• Moab Folk Festival: If you’re into folk music, artists from around the country come together for performances against the backdrop of the park.
• Canyonlands Half-Marathon: The Canyonlands Half-Marathon takes you through the dramatic scenery of Arches and Canyonlands National Park.
• Red Rock Arts Festival: The Red Rock Arts Festival celebrates art and nature found in Moab. Expect live painting, sculpture, and much more.
• Moab Art Walk: On a monthly basis, local galleries open their doors for the public to appreciate the local art scene.
• Moab Free Concert Series:  On select Fridays, free summer concerts showcase local and regional musicians in Swanny City Park. 

Before you Close That Tab…Where to Next in Utah?

Utah may very well be one of the most underrated, beautiful places in the world. I’ve traveled all through this great state, snowboarding down some of the best resorts and hiking through godly monoliths. If you’re heading elsewhere in Utah, check out these posts.

• One Day in Zion National Park Itinerary for Adventurers
• One Day in Arches National Park Itinerary for First-Timers
• Perfect One Day in Canyonlands Itinerary for First-Timers
• Perfect One Day In Salt Lake City Itinerary For First Timers 
• Perfect One Day In Bryce Canyon Itinerary For First-Timers

MY FAVORITE TRAVEL RESOURCES

✈️ Find amazing guided tours and experiences with Viator to maximize your time! 🏘️ Plan ahead and secure your accommodation with Booking.com in advance. 🧾 Rent a car with Discovercars in advance and get the best prices for your day trip adventures.