The Best Time to Visit Arches National Park + FAQs

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Wondering when the best time to visit Arches National Park is?

To be honest, Arches is definitely not one of those parks you can visit year-round. While technically you can visit in the summer months, you are likely to be pretty miserable since it can get extremely hot during this time. Likewise, while it is still doable in winter, certain areas and trails might be closed and facilities will be too.

That’s why Daniel and I always tend to head back there in October. Fall is our favorite time to go because the crowds have thinned out quite a bit, mornings and evenings are cool, and the nearby town of Moab has quieted down a bunch so you can get into restaurants easily.

However, fall doesn’t need to be your only option, and summer might be the only time you would be able to take the time for your vacation. With this in mind, it can take some more planning so you don’t arrive during the hottest weather and you still get to enjoy everything that Arches has to offer.

In summary: This article breaks down when to visit Arches National Park by season and month so you can make the right decision for you.

Quick tip: Heat isn’t the only thing you need to worry about–remember to check for flash flood warnings, as well!

Arches National Park temperature by month

Here is a table of the average temperatures you can expect in the Arches National Park area to help you plan when the best time to visit is!

Month	Average high (Moab)	Average low (Moab)
January	44°	21°
February	52°	27°
March	65°	36°
April	72°	43°
May	83°	51°
June	94°	59°
July	99°	64°
August	96°	64°
September	88°	55°
October	74°	42°
November	57°	30°
December	44°	22°

Spring in Arches National Park

Overall, I would say spring is a solid time to visit Arches. Not only are the temperatures reasonable, especially in the months of March and April, but you won’t have a ton of crowds excepting the spring break crowd when families tend to head there.

You might also see some blooming desert flowers, which makes for some great photo opportunities for photographers. This is also the start of Arches’ reservation system, so you will still need to book your tickets in advance in order to enter the park. I definitely recommend you check that out so you know which dates to grab your reservations.

This is also my recommended time for camping! Since temperatures are nice and cool, it makes for a much more comfortable experience in your sleeping bag.

Arches National Park in March

There are definitely some benefits of choosing to visit in March, most of all that the temperatures are perfect for hiking. The highs are usually in the 60s, so even on the hottest of days, you’re not going to burn up. Just like you, animals are more likely to be out and about too since it’s not roasting.

For planning purposes, you’ll find cheaper accommodations since you’ll be visiting in the shoulder season, which is really nice if you are planning on visiting on a budget. However, the weather can be a bit more unpredictable than other times the year–like fall–so make sure you have a rain jacket packed.

Arches National Park in April

If you are planning on checking out Arches in the spring, then April is the month I recommend doing so. Not only is the weather slightly warmer so your nights are less chilly if you are camping, but you have some more daylight to work with too. You’ll find a few more people trickling in than you would in March, but nothing too unreasonable.

Another thing to keep in mind is that park facilities aren’t usually fully open until April, meaning you won’t have a visitor center and some roads might be closed until then–which is another reason why this month is a good time to be there.

Arches National Park in May

May is a very popular time to visit Arches for a number of reasons, but most of all that it’s the ideal weather in the park. I love it to be a bit cooler, but the highs are in the low 80s, so it should be pleasant for almost everyone during this time. All facilities will definitely be open, and you’ll have longer days to explore.

If you are into wildflowers, this is the time to check those out since most years this is when they are in full bloom. In fact, if you are a photographer, this is my recommended time to visit since you will also have some amazing opportunities for astrophotography–stargazing is at its best!

Of course, there are some cons. It will be more expensive to visit and parking lots are more likely to be full. However, I find that the benefits of visiting in May outweigh the cons for sure!

Summer in Arches National Park

To be honest, summer is the time of year when I tell readers and clients not to visit Arches. In my opinion, it’s too hot, too crowded, and too expensive. But it’s also the only time that many can get off from work and school to visit, so it’s understandable why it’s the busiest time.

With highs into the 90s, you’re going to want to make sure that you are prepared to hike and explore in the heat, and that you have some way to cool off in the afternoon. I absolutely recommend taking advantage of the cooler mornings and evenings versus venturing out in the middle of the day.

Arches’ reservation system is in full swing, and you’ll want to book your accommodations well in advance to make sure that you have a place to stay during the most crowded months.

Arches National Park in June

If you only have one day in Arches National Park and you are trying to pack as much in as possible, then June can be a good month to visit with the longer summer days. As you can expect, it will be crowded and it will be hot, but if you have to visit during the summer, then this is probably your best month.

Parking lots and accommodations will likely be pretty packed, so this is where planning in advance will be key. Last thing you want to do is roll into Moab and hope that you can get a place to stay or camp! Likewise, make sure you have your reservations for the day or days you plan on entering.

Stargazing is perfect this time of year, and so are the sunrises and sunsets if you want to grab those perfect photos. Just make sure you can get to shade and stay cool when out on the trail!

Arches National Park in July

The pros and cons are similar for visiting in July versus visiting in June with one big change–monsoon season. If possible, I don’t recommend you visit in July unless you are willing to watch the weather pretty closely and adhere to warnings from the park about flash flooding.

This also tends to be peak tourist season, meaning that you will likely be competing for parking spaces, accommodations, and tables at restaurants. In my opinion, this and August is really the worst time to go, but if you have to, make sure to have a plan if the weather is too extreme and know how to hike in the desert.

Arches National Park in August

August is similar to July with monsoon rains, crowds, and expensive accommodations. However, toward the end of the month, you will start to see a reprieve from the crowds since kids are going back to school. This means that hotels and camping might be a bit cheaper during this time, but still expect to pay a decent amount and for things to book up fast.

One positive of dealing with monsoons is that this does cool off the worst of the heat, making it a lot more enjoyable to explore in the afternoons. However, you will need to keep an eye on flash flood warnings since you do not want to be in a canyon during this time.

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Fall in Arches National Park

Fall is, I believe, the hand’s down best time to visit Arches. The crowds have pretty much all left at this point, and monsoon season is not in full force. After Labor Day, accommodations should become a lot more affordable, and you get the benefits of a summer visit (stargazing, ranger programs) without fighting for a parking space.

Most importantly, the heat is much more manageable during the fall, meaning you have more time out of your day to explore. For photographers, you’re also going to have better lighting than you would during the summer months, as well.

Arches National Park in September

While you still have some lingering monsoons, visiting Arches in September is a great idea. Once the Labor Day crowds have left, you’re going to find a lot more affordable options for camping and hotels. Restaurants will have shorter waiting lines, and the town of Moab will still be bustling but not overrun.

If you are headed to the park to spot wildlife, the cooler temperatures mean that they are more likely to be out and about. You can also still visit the Fiery Furnace in September before it closes down right before October rolls around.

Basically, if you still want the option to stargaze and full park facilities while saving money, September is a good bet.

Arches National Park in October

October is when I typically choose to go to Arches myself. If you are a hiker, this might be the time with the best weather since it remains cooler throughout the day, and as a rock climber, those cooler days make routes much more pleasant. Do be warned that you might still experience rain storms in the afternoon, so make sure to watch the weather report.

I still recommend booking your camping and accommodations in advance since the park won’t be totally empty of people. If you are pitching a tent, it can also get pretty cool at night, so you will want to have the appropriate sleeping bag with you.

In my opinion, with fewer crowds and better hiking weather, this is the time I love to go versus other times of the year.

Quick tip: If the Fiery Furnace is on your bucket list, October is the month it closes–so opt for September or the summer months instead.

Arches National Park in November

You’ll really start to see the crowds fall off in November, which is also when park facilities start to shut down for the winter. It also starts to become much cooler, and you might even see a bit of snow at higher elevations. Hiking can still be quite nice, and you’ll have the whole day to do it thanks to the lower temps.

Some of the seasonal businesses in Moab might shut down, so planning in advance is still necessary so you can make sure that you have a place to stay. It wouldn’t be my choice to visit during this time, but if you like peace and quiet, then it can be a good way to beat the crowds and save some money.

Winter in Arches National Park

For me, winter in Arches National Park is not a time I would choose to go–but it depends what you want to get out of your visit. Moab will be pretty sleepy during this time, so you’ll have to do some research into which hotels and campsites are still available.

You should know that facilities in the park will all be closed during this time, which means you might not get to see everything you would want. Hiking trails might even have a slight dusting of snow, which can make them slick.

However, if you are adventurous and you really want some solitude, then it might be worth it to brave the weather and lack of facilities in order to have the park to yourself.

Arches National Park in December

The positives of visiting Arches during this time? You are likely to have it all to yourself. You’re unlikely to find park rangers, but there might be some snow during this time making for some wonderful photo ops.

Spots like Delicate Arch will be completely empty, which can be really nice if you want some solitude. Don’t expect to see any wildlife, but you also aren’t going to see many people, so that might be worth the tradeoff.

Since this is the low season, make sure you do your research in advance so you know that your chosen accommodations will be open–I wouldn’t recommend pitching a tent during this time.

Arches National Park in January

It’s the darkest month with the fewest people, but if you like having places to yourself, this might be the right time to go for you. Again, much of Moab will be closed and facilities will be closed, but the snowy landscape is perfect for photography.

Again, not the time I would choose to go because of cold temperatures, but it can be lovely since it will be quieter.

Arches National Park in February

This time of year, I would expect ice and snow on all of the trails, which can make your exploration a bit limited. Roads might be closed, and Moab is likely to be pretty dead–you’ll want to book accommodations in advance so you’re guaranteed to have a place to stay.

One plus is that the stargazing this time of year is lovely, so you can grab some beautiful photos knowing no one will be in them!

Best time to visit Arches National Park FAQs

Here are some common FAQs I get about choosing the best time to visit Arches National Park.

Conclusion

I hope this has helped you decide when you might want to visit Arches and what to expect each month. Personally, I think you can’t beat October as a time to go, but there are several months that you can catch good weather and you can avoid crowds. Arches has a longer season than many national parks, which definitely makes it easier to visit in some ways!

Have any questions about when the best time to visit Arches might be? Let me know in the comments!