Parks / Arizona and the Utah Canyons
Arches
Stop 17 of 51 on the loop. Stay in Moab UT, give it 2 nights, and plan the day around Arches Scenic Drive.
- State
- UT
- Stay in
- Moab UT
- Nights on this route
- 2
- Month on this route
- May
- Don't miss
- Arches Scenic Drive
- Getting here
- 156 mi from Torrey UT, about 3 h 10 min.
- Next stop
- Canyonlands, same base.
About the Park
Discover a landscape of contrasting colors, land forms, and textures unlike any other. The park has over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks. This red-rock wonderland will amaze you with its formations, refresh you with its trails, and inspire you with its sunsets.
Description from the National Park Service.
Where to Stay
On this route you sleep in Moab UT. Gateway towns have more lodging, groceries and fuel than the park itself. If you want an in-park lodge instead, the busiest parks book up as early as 13 months out.
Entrance Fees
- $30 Private Vehicle
- $25 Motorcycle
- $15 Per person (walk or bike in)
An $80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers entry at every national park; on a trip like this it pays for itself after three parks. Fees from the NPS, checked 2026-10-18.
Nearby Parks
- Canyonlands same base
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison about 91 mi as the crow flies
- Mesa Verde about 100 mi as the crow flies
Official site: https://www.nps.gov/arch/. Route data checked 2026-10-19.