Why Arches National Park Is Not Worth Visiting (+ Alternatives)

Are you wondering if Arches National Park in Moab is worth visiting? Then you are in the right spot!

Arches is one of the busiest National Parks in the Southwest, and you’ll need a timed entry ticket to get there. So naturally, you’ll be wondering if it is worth the hassle.

There are a few upsides and downsides to visiting Arches NP. Personally, we did not enjoy our visit as much and could have probably skipped it.

To help you figure out if Arches is worth visiting on your vacation, I have created this in-depth post that will look at all the pros and cons of going.

Lastly, I want to provide you with a couple of alternative spots in Moab that you can visit if you want to see some pretty natural arches without going to the park!

So without further ado, let’s get to it!

Also Check Out: Amazing 5 Days in Moab Itinerary: Instagrammable and Fun

Pros and Cons of Visiting Arches National Park

Pros

❤️ Stunning Landscapes

❤️ Beautiful Hikes

❤️ Great Picture Opportunities

❤️ Amazing Stargazing

❤️ Easy Access from Moab

❤️ Hikes for All Skill Levels

❤️ Open Year-Round

❤️ Interesting Geology

Cons

💔 Timed Entry Requirement

💔 Super Busy and Youristy

💔 Too Hot in Summer

💔 Limited Shade, Water, and Parking

💔 Overhyped

💔 Entrance Backup

💔 Not Pet Friendly

💔 Harsh Winds (Seasonally)

💔 No Drone Zone

Why I Thought Arches National Park Was Overrated

In this first paragraph, I have objectively given you all the pros and cons of visiting Arches National Park in Moab.

To make my hesitation in recommending it a bit clearer, I would love to give more insight into our visit last September.

First of all, the line at the entrance was super backed up, and we had to wait an hour to go inside the park. Inside, we could not find parking at most trailheads (despite their limiting access to the park).

We decided to hike the Devil’s Garden Trail first, which was challenging. The winds were super harsh, and we had to go back after a while because of the sand in our faces.

After, we wanted to hike to Delicate Arch. Our mistake was taking the shorter route, which does not lead directly to the arch. It was super busy and crowded, and you could not see the arch that well.

In the end, we ended up driving the Windows Road to see the North Window Arch and the Turret Arch.

While all the arches inside the park were certainly beautiful and great to see, we ended up finding much better ones outside the park, without all the other tourists.

Lastly, I think we were also unlucky with our choice of hikes, so I recommend researching well which arches you want to see. That will probably give you a better experience in the park for sure.

Keep on reading: Is Moab Worth Visiting in 2025? Totally Honest Review

Why Arches Is Worth Visiting (Despite Our Mediocre Experience)

Stunning Landscapes

The landscape in Arches National Park is beautiful; there is no denying that.

It is mostly made up of red rock formations, which were shaped by wind and time. There are lots of natural stone arches, tall rock spires, balanced rocks, and wide open desert areas.

The ground is mostly sandy or rocky, quite desert-y. There are very few green patches, just some scattered shrubs and small trees.

What I loved most (also to photograph) were the colors. There are mostly warm hues; you’ll see lots of reds, oranges, and browns. Amazingly, the colors also change with the light.

Some parts of the park are wide open, like Devil’s Garden Trail. Others, like the Fiery Furnace, are narrow and twisty.

Beautiful Hikes

Hiking is one of my favorite hobbies, so I was really excited to take on the trails in Arches. As I mentioned before, my selection of trails was not ideal for the weather and for what we wanted to see.

But don’t fret, there are some awesome trails in the park you should check out.

If you’re visiting Arches and want THE classic experience, definitely consider the Delicate Arch Trail (the long one!). It’s a bit of a workout at 3 miles round trip, but on this trail, you can actually stand under the arch.

For something easier but still scenic, the Windows Loop and Double Arch are perfect and super close together. We just drove by here, but they are nice to check out if you have time.

If you want something quieter, Sand Dune Arch is a great insider tip (especially if it’s hot). Tower Arch gives you more solitude and a bit of a challenge.

The Landscape Arch trail is also pretty easy; the trail is mostly flat. Lastly, Fiery Furnace is like a cool maze; just be sure to get a permit or join a ranger-led hike!

Easily Accessible

I felt like Arches National Park was one of the most accessible parks in the Southwest. Just like at Bryce Canyon National Park, you can see a lot from the car and the viewpoints.

Everything is close together and easy to reach. The main scenic drive takes you right to some popular viewpoints, like Delicate Arch Viewpoint, the Windows Section, and Double Arch.

Most of the trails are short and well-marked, and the park entrance is just a few minutes outside Moab.

While this is amazing for people with limited mobility, I felt like that was the reason why all the parking lots, streets, and viewpoints were so overcrowded.

Arches Is Amazing For Stargazing

Stargazing at Arches is honestly one of the best parts of visiting the park. We missed out on that, and I am kind of bummed about it.

It’s a certified International Dark Sky Park. That means super low light pollution and incredibly clear night skies.

On a moonless night, you can see the Milky Way and sometimes even planets with the naked eye.

Good spots include The Windows, Balanced Rock, and Panorama Point.

Nights can get chilly, even in summer. Make sure to bring layers, a blanket, or a camping chair.

Arches National Park Is So Instagrammable

If you are in need of some new and fabulous Instagram pictures, then Arches National Park is definitely worth visiting.

It is one of the most Instagrammable spots in the Southwest, so make sure to bring your camera.

My favorite Instagrammable spots in Arches are Delicate Arch (at sunset) and Double Arch. You can stand right underneath for a dramatic shot.

The Windows Section also offers great photo angles. Try to frame the Turret Arch through the North Window.

Landscape Arch looks almost unreal with how thin it is, so make sure to stop by here.

For wide views, try Park Avenue or Balanced Rock. Especially at golden hour, they both glow beautifully in the light.

5 Amazing Arches in Moab (Outside Arches National Park)

As I promised, I also have some great alternatives for visiting some cool arches that are not inside the National Park.

I thought it was much more fun to explore the arches without all the other people and without all the park rules.

Luckily, there are lots of great alternative Arches around Moab that don’t require a permit and that you can visit anytime.

Here are my 5 favorite arches outside of Arches National Park:

1. Corona Arch

Corona Arch is my favorite arch in the Moab area. It is located outside Arches NP near Moab (no entrance fee!) – and the drive there is incredibly stunning.

The hike is about 3 miles round trip, and I thought it was moderate. It involves a short ladder and a cable section. It wasn’t too hard, but it wasn’t stroller-friendly for sure.

You’ll pass Bowtie Arch on the way, an added bonus.

I really loved it because the Corona Arch is HUGE and dramatic. It is perfect for photos (you can fly your drone here too) and way less crowded than the arches in the park.

2. Wilson Arch

Another super popular alternative to Arches National Park is the Wilson Arch.

You can easily spot it from the highway (US-191, south of Moab). It is a great spot to quickly visit, since you can climb up to it in under 10 minutes. But it’s steep and rocky, so keep that in mind.

There is no formal trail, but lots of space to explore, which I really appreciate.

Wilson Arch is especially pretty at sunrise or in the late afternoon.

3. Morning Glory Arch

Another one of my favorite alternatives to Arches National Park is the Morning Glory Arch.

It is located in the Grandstaff Canyon, super close to Moab. I really liked this arch because the hike there was so pretty and unique.

It is about 5 miles round trip, and mostly flat. The trail follows a creek with shade, greenery, and red rock walls.

The arch is long and slender, and nestled in between some impressive cliff formations. It is perfect if you want a quieter, more relaxed hike and just enjoy nature for a bit.

We got a bit wet on the hike when crossing the creek, but it was so worth it!

4. Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch is technically inside another National Park, so it might not be the best alternative to Arches. However, I thought it was kind of special in its own way, so I needed to add it to my list.

The Mesa Arch is located in the Canyonlands National Park. It is right around the corner from Moab.

To reach it, you have to complete an easy 0.5-mile loop hike.

It is mostly famous for its sunrise view. Many people wait around there super early to capture the sun rising through the arch. (No, we did not crawl there in the dawn of night).

I love that it is perched on the edge of a cliff, so you’ll get sweeping canyon views through the arch. That explains why it is so popular with photographers and Instagrammers.

5. Pinto Arch

Last but not least, the Pinto Arch is a cool alternative to Arches National Park. It is right next to the Corona Arch, so you can see both in a day.

It is a totally hidden gem near the Corona Arch Trailhead (off the same road). It is about 2.5 miles round trip, and the hike is considered moderate.

Not many people know about it, so it’s peaceful and great to explore. I loved that the trail had a fun slickrock and a few scrambling sections.

Conclusion

To sum it up, I thought that Arches National Park was a little overrated. If you have limited time in Moab, I would consider skipping it and checking out other cool places in the area instead.

Especially if you are on a longer Southwest America road trip, you might find the structures not as impressive anymore.

It was busy, touristy, and overrun. You need a timed entry permit, yet the entrance was still crowded, and we had to wait for an hour before going in. Additionally, you need to pay an entrance fee, unless you have the America the Beautiful Pass.

We especially disliked the lower delicate arch viewpoint (hike the full trail ideally) and the pine tree arch.

But as I mentioned, there are also some stunning things to see in the park. So if you are not short on time, I think you should stop by for sure.

If you crave a calmer and quieter experience, make sure to check out some of my favorite arches outside of Arches National Park, like the Corona Arch. Also, check out the Dead Horse Point State Park; it has no arches but a lovely view.

I hope you have a lovely time in Moab and enjoy the beautiful scenery! Keep on reading:

Amazing 5 Days in Moab Itinerary: Instagrammable and Fun

Is Moab Worth Visiting in 2025? Totally Honest Review

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