Arches National Park Scenic Drive: 17 Stops + Tips & FAQs

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Want to know where to stop along Arches National Park’s scenic drive?

Whether you plan on spending a ton of time exploring the scenic drive in Arches National Park, you’re going to get a taste of it no matter what–as the main road that runs through the park, you can’t miss it! Since you’ll be driving it anyway, it definitely helps knowing where you might want to stop and which formations might be worth your time visiting.

While I always love hitting up the hiking trails in Arches, to me, the scenic drive is the highlight of the park (along with Devils Garden and the Fiery Furnace). You get to see so much within a relatively short distance, and I always find it hard not to stop at every formation I see in order to get a picture.

We’ll go over some of my favorite stops along the way to give you an idea of where you might want to stop when you head through Arches. I promise that it is worth spending a little more time in the park in order to see these amazing natural wonders!

In summary: This article will cover which stops you might want to make while driving the Arches Scenic Drive, as well as some tips and common FAQs about the drive.

Quick tip: If you only have one day in Arches, I recommend picking out four or five of these stops instead of doing all of them. That leaves you more time for taking on some of the hiking trails!

Map of the Arches Scenic Drive

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Stops along the Arches Scenic Drive

The scenic drive through the park takes you past some of the park’s most iconic formations–it’s by far one of the best things to do in Arches! I recommend starting early to beat both the heat and crowds. Here are all the must-see stops along the way in the order you’ll encounter them.

1. Park Avenue viewpoint

Named for its resemblance to NYC’s famous street, this viewpoint gives you your first real taste of Arches’ dramatic landscape. The one-mile trail here is worth doing if you have time. We loved stopping here early morning when the rising sun lights up the massive sandstone walls.

2. La Sal Mountains viewpoint

This is your first chance to see the La Sal Mountains framed by red rock formations. The snow-capped peaks create a stunning contrast with the desert landscape. It’s especially beautiful at sunrise when the mountains catch the first light.

3. Courthouse Towers viewpoint and trail

These massive sandstone monoliths tower over the landscape like ancient skyscrapers. It’s a quick stop but worth it for photos. From here, you can see several named formations including the Three Gossips and the Tower of Babel.

4. Three Gossips formation

These three towering spires got their name because they look like people huddled in conversation. You can spot them easily from the road, and they make a great photo op, especially in morning light when the shadows add depth to their “faces.”

5. Tower of Babel formation

This massive sandstone wall rises dramatically from the desert floor. It’s best viewed in early morning or late afternoon when the shadows highlight its textures. The formation is particularly striking when photographed alongside the Three Gossips.

6. Sheep Rock formation

A formation that, as you might guess, resembles a sheep’s head. You’ll spot it easily from the road on your right. It’s especially photogenic during golden hour when the light makes the red rocks glow.

Quick tip: You can see the Courthouse Towers, Three Gossips, Tower of Babel, and Sheep Rock formation all from the Courthouse Towers viewpoint if you would like. It just depends what perspective you would like to see!

7. Petrified Dunes viewpoint

This unique spot shows off ancient sand dunes that have turned to stone. I love how different this viewpoint feels from the arches–it helps tell the story of how this landscape formed over millions of years.

8. The Great Wall formation

A massive sandstone cliff face that stretches alongside the road. While there’s no official viewpoint, you can’t miss it! The textures and colors in the rock are especially vivid after rain.

9. Balanced Rock viewpoint and trail

Balanced Rock is one of the park’s most famous features–a 128-foot rock formation that looks like it could topple any moment. The short loop trail around the base gives you great perspectives. We always stop here, no matter how many times we visit.

10. Windows trail

This area packs in several incredible arches within a short walking distance. North and South Windows (also called “The Spectacles”) and Turret Arch are all accessible via an easy trail. Perfect for sunset photos!

11. Double Arch trail

An easy 0.5-mile trail leads to one of the park’s most impressive features–two massive arches joined at one end. The trail is flat and well-maintained. Daniel and I love walking around under the arches, though be careful on the slickrock when it’s wet.

12. Panorama Point

True to its name, this viewpoint offers sweeping vistas of the park’s landscape. On clear days, you can see the La Sal Mountains, the Windows Section, and the Salt Valley. It’s a great spot for orientation photos.

13. Lower Delicate Arch viewpoint

While not as impressive as hiking to Delicate Arch itself, this viewpoint offers a decent distant view of the park’s most famous arch. Perfect if you can’t make the full hike or are short on time.

14. Salt Valley Overlook

This viewpoint gives you a different perspective of the park, looking down into a vast valley carved by an ancient collapsed salt dome. The landscape here feels completely different from the red rock formations you’ve been seeing.

15. Fiery Furnace viewpoint

Get a glimpse of this maze-like area of narrow sandstone canyons. While you need a permit or guided tour to enter Fiery Furnace itself, the viewpoint gives you a good idea of its fascinating geology.

16. Sand Dune Arch trail

One of my favorite short trails in the park! This easy 0.3-mile round trip takes you between towering fins to a beautiful arch nestled in deep sand. It’s perfect for escaping the heat on hot days.

17. Devils Garden

The end of the scenic drive brings you to Devils Garden, home to Landscape Arch and several other impressive formations. The trailhead here accesses both easy and challenging hikes. Even if you don’t hike, the parking area offers great views.

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Tips for the Arches Scenic Drive

Here are some tips I’ve found helpful when taking on this drive myself!

• Start early in the morning: For the best lighting for photography and in order to beat the crowds, I recommend getting in before the park requires reservations at 7:00 am MT. Not only is it cooler, but then you have the whole day to explore!
• Bring sun protection: Even if you don’t plan on heading out on any of the hiking trails, the sun can be strong. Remember to bring your sunscreen and a hat so you avoid getting burned when you step out of your car to take a look at the formations.
• Bring your lunch into the park: There are no restaurants inside Arches, but there are plenty of places to bring a picnic! I love having my lunch at one of the stops–just make sure to clean up after yourself when you’re done!
• Factor in any hiking time: Adding in some hikes along the way will increase the amount of time you’re in the park. Make sure to factor that in if you have dinner reservations in Moab or you want to get out of the park before dark.

Arches Scenic Drive FAQs

Here are some commonly-asked questions I get about the Arches Scenic Drive.

Conclusion

I hope this article has helped you plan which stops you want to make along the Arches National Park scenic drive. You could spend an entire day stopping and enjoying if you would like! Remember that there are also some amazing hikes that lead from these viewpoints, so if you have the time and inclination, you might want to add them to your itinerary!

Have any questions about the Arches Scenic Drive? Feel free to let me know in the comments!