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Miles
from: Salt Lake City: 234
Denver: 355
Las Vegas: 457
The closest major airports are at Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, and automobile rentals are available in these cities.
Charter plane and commercial van services are available from Salt Lake City to Moab.
Moab is not served by bus or train.
Most scenic features in Arches National Park can be seen while auto touring or day-hiking from paved or maintained dirt roads that area suitable for family cars. However, dirt roads in the park can become impassable during wet weather. Parking areas often fill up early in the day and vehicles parked outside designated areas will be cited.
Canyonlands and other areas around Moab are well known for extremely rugged 4X4 roads. Four-wheel drive is usually needed to travel very far off the pavement.
Bicycles are restricted to established roads within Arches National Park. There are innumerable single-track and double-track bike trails in the Moab area outside the park.
March, April, May, October and November are ideal months to visit this area if you plan hiking, biking and other strenuous activities.
Summers are very hot and dry, with daytime temperatures occasionally climbing above 100 F. Summer mornings and evenings are pleasant times for short hikes.
May and June are usually prime months for whitewater river rafting because air temperatures are warm and water flows are at their peak. Conditions usually remain favorable for rafting through September.
Winter months usually bring mild days (40-55 F) and cold nights (often below 20 F). However, cold fronts can keep daytime highs from climbing above freezing.
Fee and permits
Arches National Park entrance fee is $10 per vehicle; $5 for bicyclists, those walking and on motorcycles.
Fiery Furnace within Arches is a trail-less area of narrow canyons that attract hikers. Visitors must obtain a ticket for a ranger-guided hike or a hiking permit at the visitor center. Reservations are required and must be purchased in person at the visitor center. Slots often fill up 1-2 days in advance. Reservations can be made for up to seven days in advance.
Sand Flats Recreation Area offers the popular Slickrock Bike Trail. A day-use pass must be purchased as you enter the area and it is good for three consecutive days. The pass costs $5 for those entering via private vehicle and $2 for those entering on a bike or in a shuttle.
There are no lodging facilities or services within Arches or Canyonlands national parks. Moab offers a wide variety of accommodations and services, 24-hours a day. Nearby Green River and Monticello also offer lodging and services. See www.utah.com for current information.
Area businesses offer fully guided trips and provide equipment and information for a wide variety of activities. Trips can range from short and easy to multi-day extreme adventures. See www.utah.com for current information on guide services. Popular guided activities include:
River trips
Off-road excursions
Mountain biking
Backpacking
Helicopter and small plane tours
Devils Garden Campground is located in Arches National Park, 18 miles from the entrance. It contains 50 tent and trailer sites and two walk-in group sites (limited to tenting for ten or more people). The camping fee is $10 per night for individual sites in the summer. Facilities include tables, grills and flush toilets. Campers much pre-register at the visitor center before proceeding to the campground from mid-March through late October. Pre-registration is not required during the winter.
Devils Garden Campground fills daily mid-March through October, often by 10 a.m.–get there early and stake your claim.
Two group camping sites are available by reservation. Juniper Basin can accommodate up to 55 people and Wren can handle up to 35. The fee is $3 per person per night, with a $33 minimum. Reservations must be made by mail or fax: Reservations Office, 2282 South West Resource Boulevard, Moab, UT 84532 or 435-259-4285 (fax).
Sand Flats Recreation Area offers 110 campsites, open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping is limited to designated sites. Facilities include picnic tables, metal fire rings and pit toilets. Water is not available at these sites so bring your own. The camping fee is $8 per night per car.
Sand Flats also offers group sites for 11-16. The base fee is $24 per night. To reserve a site call 435-259-2444 between 8-9 am or 5-6 pm seven days a week.
BLM maintains 20 campgrounds in the Moab area. Individual sites are first-come, first-served. Many are located along the Colorado River close to Moab and Arches, and can accommodate RVs. Group sites are also available and can be reserved in advance by calling 435-259-2100. For more information: www.blm.gov/utah/moab.
The Forest Service manages a campground at Warner Lake in the La Sal Mountains east of Moab. For reservations: 1-877-444-6777 or www.reserveusa.com.
Water is scarce in this region and lack of water is the most common problem encountered by visitors. Hikers, bikers and off-roaders must carry enough drinking water to meet their needs — there are very few opportunities to replenish supplies.
Equipment failure is another common problem. Make sure boots, bikes and vehicles are in good working order before venturing into this harsh environment.
Lightning and flash floods occur occasionally, particularly during the month of August. Avoid exposed points and the bottoms of washes and canyons if forecasts indicate a chance for storms.
Wild animals rarely causes problems. Rattlesnakes, scorpions, cougars and black bears inhabit parts of this area but almost always avoid people. When problems do occur it is usually because people pursue the wildlife.
Superintendent, Arches National Park, P.O. Box 907, Moab, UT 84532
(435) 719-2299
archinfo@nps.gov
www.nps.gov/arch.
Grand County Travel Council, P.O. Box 550, Moab, UT 84532
(800) 635-MOAB
BLM Moab Field Office, 82 East Dogwood, Moab, Utah 84532;
(435) 259-2100
www.blm.gov/utah/moab/index.html