STOP! Before You Plan To Visit Arches Read This

Crowds, the Archenemy of your Visit to Arches

Your archenemy to the arches might be the many people like you who want to see the park. If you’re dreaming of breathtaking sandstone arches and sweeping desert vistas this year, then Arches National Park might be calling your name. But hang on—You're not the only one who loves Mother Nature. To help manage peak-season pandemonium, Arches National Park has introduced a timed-entry pilot program, which is like a reservation program. Translation? A little planning goes a long way to avoid the chaos.

Here’s the Deal

From April 1 to July 6 and again from August 28 to October 31, you’ll need a reservation to roll through the gates during the day. Reservations will be open six months in advance, but don’t panic if you missed the memo—next-day tickets are released nightly. You know snagging one of those would feel almost as rewarding as spotting an elusive desert fox.

But What if You Miss Out?

Got no ticket? No problem! Show up fashionably early (before 7 a.m.) or late (after 4 p.m.) to skip the reservation drama. Walking, biking, or hiking your way in? Go ahead and channel your inner adventurer—no reservations required, just pay the entry fee. Bonus: you'll be saving gas and impressing the eco-warriors.

So, pack your sunscreen, plan ahead, and don’t panic. Remember—those majestic arches aren’t going anywhere (they’ve been here for a while). But your chance to experience them crowd-free? Well, that’s got a time limit. Ready, set, reserve! Visit go.nps.gov/archesticket to get started. See you on the trails!