Arches National Park holds a special place in the hearts of many adventure seekers. With over 2,000 documented natural sandstone arches, the highest number in the world, it’s widely considered a magical red rock wonderland. Spring brings the most comfortable outdoor conditions for witnessing the park’s otherworldly scenery. From discovering the park’s most notable feature, the Delicate Arch, to a sunset view of the Balanced Rock, here are the best things to do in Arches National Park in Spring.
Explore the Delicate Arch
Standing at over 50 feet, the Delicate Arch is more than a prominent feature in Arches National Park. It’s a significant symbol of Utah, featured on the state’s license plates and a postage stamp commemorating its statehood centennial anniversary. The freestanding natural arch’s iconic status and unique shape make it a bucket-list-worthy item. You can get there by hiking the Delicate Arch Trail, whose trailhead is at the Wolf Ranch parking spot.
Visit the Skyline Arch
One thing you’ll love about Arches National Park is how easily accessible many of its iconic sandstone formations are. Skyline Arch is one of the most accessible attractions in the park. This awe-inspiring sandstone is unique for its impressive location on the skyline. You can access it from many places in the park, including the Devils Garden Campground.
Discover the Garden of Eden
Garden of Eden is among Arches National Park’s most beautiful places to explore. It’s an open hiking area with impressive features, including iconic geological wonders like Owl Rock and the Serpentine Arch. It’s a perfect place to wander around in spring, taking in some of the park’s best scenery.
Hike to Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch is a geological marvel in Arches National Park’s Devil’s Eden area. Stretching 290 feet, it’s America’s longest natural arch and seems delicate and incredibly Instagram-worthy. To get there, drive to the Devils Garden Trailhead and take the Landscape Arch Trail, an easy hike that takes only 49 minutes to complete.
The Organ is a Geologic Wonder Worth Seeing
The Organ is among the stunning, distinctive rock formations in Arches National Park. Formed by years of water and wind erosion, the twin-towered sandstone formation skyscrapes over the park road near the entrance. It’s part of the Courthouse Towers area of the park, where you’ll find Three Gossips and Sheep Rock.
Hiking the Fiery Furnace is a Thrilling Spring Adventure
The Fiery Furnace is among Arches National Park’s most remote portions. It’s a maze of unique, majestic natural arches and slot canyons. The hike is considered challenging as it winds through narrow passageways, with some areas requiring scrambling and squeezing to get through. You can only hike the trail via a ranger-led tour or by obtaining the Self-Guided Exploration permit.
Explore Arches National Park Scenic Drive
If hiking is not your thing, the best way to capture the red rock scenery of Arches National Park is by driving through it. You’ll see many of the park’s biggest draws right from the comfort of your car. Even the La Sal Mountains are visible from the park’s drive. There are numerous pullouts and observation points to take in the scenery and snap epic photographs for your Instagram feed.
Turret Arch through the North Window is Breathtaking
A portion of the Windows Section of Arches, seeing the Turret Arch through the North Window is one of the most unforgettable adventures in the park. The view is incredibly photogenic and a must-do in spring. The North Window Arch is the first stop along the Window Arch Trail, whose trailhead is about 11.5 miles from the Visitor Center.
Camping at the Devils Garden Campground is a Must-Have Experience
One of the best ways to experience Arches National Park’s rugged beauty is camping at Devils Garden Campground. It’s the park’s only campground with sites reservable from March through October. You’ll enjoy being surrounded by many breathtaking red rocks and access to numerous trails and attractions. It’s no wonder these campsites are booked 6 months in advance!
Double-O Arch is Blow Your Mind
Although the Delicate Arch gets all the attention, you don’t want to miss the Double-O Arch, which is just as fascinating. The geologic formation is named Double-O Arch because it comprises two arches rising from the same foundation. The sight itself is incredibly striking, and the fact that you can see the Dark Angel makes it even more magical.
Visit Sand Dune Arch
A hike through deep sand to Sand Dune Arch is one of the most fun things you can do in Arches National Park in spring. At 0.3 miles roundtrip, it’s the park’s shortest hike you can do with your kids, who will have fun in the sand under the arch. You can continue this hike to the Broken Arch, another marvelous geologic wonder you’ll want to check off your spring bucket list.
Explore Navajo Arch
Arches National Park has numerous iconic arches, but the Navajo Arch isn’t to be overlooked. Being a lesser visited area, it guarantees a more intimate adventure. Unlike other geologic features, the arch is surrounded by vegetation, which makes it a perfect stop for a relaxing break along the Devils Garden Trail.
Tunnel Arch is a Must-See Feature in the Park
Located in the Devils Garden portion of Arches National Park, Tunnel Arch is known for its unique window-like shape. The gorgeous sandstone feature is reached via Tunnel Arch Trail, a spur trail off Devils Garden Trail. Its proximity to the trailhead makes it a popular choice for many, but you won’t have to deal with crowds if you arrive early in the morning.
Park Avenue is a Favorite Stop in Spring
This hike doesn’t include any arches, but it’s delightful. The trail meanders through a canyon surrounded by towering rock formations, from which it gets its name. Like New York City’s Park Avenue, you’ll feel like you are strolling between two rows of skyscrapers. If you don’t want to complete the hike, you can visit the trail’s viewpoint off the park’s Scenic Drive. But walking among these “skyscraping” rocks is a beautiful experience.
Don’t Miss a Sunset View of Balanced Rock
Towering at 128 feet, Balanced Rock is another iconic geologic feature you don’t want to miss during your spring visit. It was named because it appears balanced atop a narrower pedestal of an eroding stone. While you can see the geologic formation from the park road, hiking the short, easy Balanced Rock Trail offers a more fulfilling experience. There is no better time to enjoy the rock than at sunset – the view is unbeatable.
