The first time I visited Arches National Park, I was still in college. After finishing finals, I decided to take my first solo trip. I grabbed a tent, a sleeping bag, some snacks, my beat-up copy of Desert Solitaire, and headed south toward the Grand Canyon. (I still can’t believe my parents let me go.) The first stop, though, was Moab and Arches National Park.
When I close my eyes, I can still vividly picture hiking the red trails, surrounded by soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and gravity-defying boulders, water bottle in hand and the smell of junipers in the air, discovering a world I never would have believed existed. All of that stunning red stone with the striking contrast of the blue sky above.
How could wind and water sculpt something so delicate yet grand?
The next summer, before I graduated, I dragged my mom on a similar journey—this time we went farther south to Sedona, Arizona. But I couldn’t not stop. (Though mom insisted on a hotel room in town rather than a sleeping bag under the stars.)
I’ve been back many times since, and the magic has never faded. If anything, it’s only gotten warmer.
Arches still leaves me in awe.
My favorite time to visit, hands down, is in the fall or spring. In my opinion, that’s when the desert is best. The warm, sunny days are made for hiking. The cool nights invite you to circle around a cozy campfire while gazing at the stars above. And perhaps the best time of day is when the golden light sets the sandstone glowing. The definition of “golden hour.”
Over the years, there have been changes. For example, for a few years, you had to be aware of the time-entry reservations. I don’t think I’m the only one who’s not disappointed that those have been retired. At least in 2026. Finding a place to park once you’re inside, though, that’s another story altogether. The trailhead lots can overflow by 8:00 a.m. on busy days.
There is, however, good news—there’s a new way around that. And it’s free.
The New Moab-Arches Shuttle—Skip the Parking Headaches
This year, for the first time in the park’s history, you can leave the driving—and the limited parking spots—to someone else. To reduce traffic congestion, The Moab to Arches Shuttle launched September 1 as a pilot program, running daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The plan (at least for now) is for this program to run through October 31 and then start back up March 1 through June 30, 2027.
How it works: The route runs from downtown Moab to the Arches Visitor Center every 15 to 30 minutes. From there, a second bus runs about every 15 minutes to the Windows area and the Delicate Arch trailhead. If you ride in from town, you bypass the entrance line completely.
How much it costs: While the cost is $0, and you don’t even need a reservation, you do need a valid park pass. You can buy a National Parks pass online (the America the Beautiful Park Pass is the best deal—especially if you’re a senior or were in the military), or at the Moab Information Center before you board for $15 – $30 for a standard pass, $20 – $80 for an annual pass for U.S. residents.
Where to catch it: In town, the Emma Boulevard stop has a parking lot across Main Street from the Rock Shop. This is convenient, especially if you’re towing a car.
You can also park at the visitor center. Just keep in mind that RV spaces are limited, so arrive early to grab a spot.
Know before you go:
- The last bus back from Delicate Arch leaves at 4:05 p.m. If you miss it, you’re finding your own ride back to town. (Good luck!)
- The Delicate Arch trail has no shade, and there’s no water at the trailhead. Make sure you carry plenty of your own, and start early to avoid the blazing sun.
- If you prefer to visit Devils Garden, Balanced Rock, or Park Avenue (all of which are worth it!), you’ll need to drive yourself—the shuttle, at least for now, only goes to two trailheads.
- No bikes are allowed on the shuttle.
Early reports: The shuttle system is new this year, so there isn’t a lot of chatter. That said, a local Moab reporter who rode both routes found the crowds light and the buses running “close to schedule.” This is just a pilot program, and the future depends at least partly on ridership, so consider giving it a try and sharing your feedback to keep ‘er going (or make improvements).
Where to Camp
Inside the Park: Devils Garden Campground
If you want to wake up surrounded by red rocks and junipers, this is the place to camp. In fact, it’s the only campground within Arches—about 18 miles from the entrance—with trails leading to Landscape Arch steps away.
As the one and only, though, that also means it’s very popular. Some campers suggest it may be easier to get tickets to Rush or AC/DC than to land a spot in this campground.
March through October, the sites are reservation-only through Recreation.gov. And it’s usually full every night. November through February, it switches to first-come, first-served.
No matter when you arrive, plan to dry camp. You won’t find any hookups, showers, or dump stations. You’ll also want to make sure your rig is modest. The “official” limit is 30 feet, though a few sites may be able to fit rigs closer to 40. Always check site dimensions before you book! And book early—reservations open six months in advance. Though it is also worth checking for cancellations if you have your heart set on staying in the park.
North of Town: Utahraptor State Park
The old Willow Springs free-camping area 13 miles north of Moab is now part of Utahraptor State Park. It’s one of the few reservable, full-service camping options near Arches with 20/30/50-amp hookups, pull-through sites, showers, and a dump station for $50 a night. If you’re willing to go a bit more primitive, you can park for $30. Reservations open four months ahead.
Public Land: BLM Campgrounds
For the boondockers among us, the Bureau of Land Management runs a string of first-come, first-served campgrounds along the Colorado River on Highway 128 for around $20 a night. If you want to grab a spot, the best time to arrive is midweek before noon.
Up toward Canyonlands, Horsethief Campground has 56 RV-friendly sites. The views are big, but the amenities are none—you won’t find water or hookups.
Because you never know if you’ll be able to find a spot, it’s always a good idea to have a backup reservation just in case.
Full Hookups: Private RV Parks
Moab’s options include three Sun Outdoors parks (Arches Gateway, Canyonlands Gateway, and Moab Downtown), Village Camp Moab, Moab KOA, and Portal RV Resort.
Best Basecamps: Park the Ridge and Play
Arches rewards travelers who are willing to set up camp once and then travel lightly. For instance, you can stay in town and then take the shuttle. Just check with the RV park on how close the nearest shuttle stop is.
You can also tow a car and then drive your toad to the Emma Boulevard lot or the visitor center and catch the shuttle—or explore the rest of the park on your own schedule.
Bikes have been a big part of this area for decades, and a lot of cyclists take advantage of the paved Moab Canyon Parkway that connects to the park entrance.
Ready to Plan Your Visit?
Decades after my first visit, Arches still has a strong hold on my heart. If you haven’t already booked for this fall, don’t worry; spring is also a lovely time to go. And the shuttle is expected to return on March 1. Now is the perfect time to start planning as the Devils Garden six-month booking window is already reaching into early spring. Especially for those who have begun shutting down their RV for its winter’s nap, this is a beautiful time to start dreaming of next season’s adventures.
