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The Best Arches + Canyonlands One Day Itinerary

The Best Arches + Canyonlands One Day Itinerary

Are you short on time in Moab and need an efficient one day itinerary to see the best of both Arches and Canyonlands national parks? Perfect! We are going to show you exactly how to tick off the highlights in this Arches to Canyonlands day trip guide from sunrise to sunset.

Is one day really enough time to see Arches and Canyonlands?

Yes! You can see a mind blowing sunrise in Canyonlands, hike the best trails in Arches and end with a spectacular sunset at Delicate Arch in one long but unforgettable day. In truth, 2 or 3 days would be better but you can certainly get a taste of what is on offer with just the one day here.

In this guide we will cover:

  • Are both Arches and Canyonlands worth visiting?
  • How to get to both parks from Moab
  • Photography and hiking highlights
  • Perfect one day Arches and Canyonlands itinerary
  • Where to eat and stay in Moab

Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through two of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks in under 24 hours!

Our Arches And Canyonlands Experience

We visited Arches and Canyonlands national parks during the first of our Utah road trips and we have to say both alien-like landscapes easily surpassed our expectations.

At the time we were still honing our photography skills with beginner equipment. We couldn’t wait to see the likes of Mesa Arch at sunrise and Delicate Arch at sunset, and it was here that we realized we were ready to upgrade our photography gear. Today, we have a professional photography gallery.

Photography locations aside, Arches and Canyonlands are also home to a handful of unique hiking trails that really are unmissable when visiting the Moab area. Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches is one of our favorite hikes in Utah.

We spent two days exploring Arches and Canyonlands Island in the Sky district, and we can’t wait to return to both parks so we can get further off the beaten path.

Couple sat in front of Mesa Arch in winter coats after sunrise on an Arches to Canyonlands one day itinerary
Mark and Kristen at Mesa Arch right after sunrise in Canyonlands

Arches National Park Factfile

  • Address: PO Box 907, Moab, UT 84532
  • Website: nps.gov/arch
  • Phone: (435) 719-2299
  • Park Hours: All day, every day
  • Entrance Fee: $30 vehicle 7 day pass (free with America the Beautiful Pass)
  • Visitor Center: 8.00am-5.00pm spring + fall / 8.00am-6.00pm summer / 8.00am-4.00pm winter
  • Campgrounds: Devil’s Garden (see campgrounds)
  • Lodging: Excellent hotel options in nearby Moab (see hotels)
  • Backcountry Camping: Permitted with backcountry use permit
  • Top Activities: Hiking, rock climbing, stargazing, photography
  • Annual Visitors: 1.8 million (in 2021 – source)
  • Best Time: Spring and fall
Awesome view of delicate arch and bowl wide angle showing topography perfectly

Is Arches National Park Worth Visiting?

Yes! We think Arches is definitely worth visiting if you are in the Moab area, especially for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy nature, hiking or photography.

Arches is one of our favorite US national parks because it is such a unique landscape, it is easy to visit and it is far less busy than the likes of Zion or Bryce Canyon.

Next time we are in Utah, we will be prioritizing a return visit to Arches above all else. It is relatively small for a national park but it is unquestionably one of the most popular places to visit in the USA.

Do You Need A Reservation For Arches National Park?

Arches National Park requires a timed entry ticket from April 1st to October 31st in 2023. Tickets are required for all visitors arriving to Arches between 7:00am and 4:00pm daily.

Make sure you get your ticket in advance before visiting Arches. The only way around not having a ticket is to enter before 7:00am or after 4:00pm.

Get your timed entry ticket on the Arches NPS website.

Note: Tickets are not required for those with camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits.

Delicate Arch sunburst just before twilight in Utah National Park Mighty 5

Canyonlands National Park Factfile

  • Address: 2282 SW Resource Boulevard, Moab, UT 84532
  • Website: nps.gov/cany
  • Phone: (435) 719-2313
  • Campgrounds: Willow Flat (see campgrounds)
  • Lodging: Excellent hotel options in nearby Moab (see hotels)
  • Backcountry Camping: Permitted with backcountry use permit
  • Top Activities: Hiking, horseback riding, stargazing, photography
  • Annual Visitors: 911,594 (in 2021 – source)
  • Best Time: Spring and fall
Mark where are those morgans on a cliff edge near share trail Canyonlands national park Utah

Is Canyonlands National Park Worth Visiting?

We can say without hesitation that Canyonlands is well worth visiting. The park is 5 times larger than Arches and it is much harder to visit because it is split into several districts but even if you just see the most popular Island in the Sky district, you will be glad you made the effort.

Canyonlands is not just a smaller version of Grand Canyon National Park, it offers amazing hiking opportunities and the chance to get up close and personal with cliff edges and unique formations.

The best part is the complete lack of crowds in and around the Canyonlands districts. If you are the type of traveler who loves to get off the beaten path, Canyonlands is for you.

Is Arches Or Canyonlands The Better National Park?

Both Arches and Canyonlands are firmly among the best places to visit in Utah so we strongly recommend you visit each park if possible.

We love both parks for very different reasons.

  • Arches is not overwhelming, it is incredibly photogenic, Devils Garden Trail is awesome and it has Delicate Arch.
  • Canyonlands is enormous, has dramatic canyons, Mesa Arch and endless miles of backcountry trails.

If pushed, we would say we prefer Arches, but only just!

Canyons are cool, no doubt about it, but the roughly 2,000 arched sandstone rock formations in the small area of Arches National Park almost defy explanation.

Car on a road behind a log with gravel on the ground

How To Get From Moab To Arches And Canyonlands

Let’s take a quick look at your driving distances between Moab, Arches and Canyonlands so you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.

Moab To Arches National Park

Moab is ideally located less than 5 miles from the entrance to Arches National Park. Head north out of Moab on US-191 and take the right turn into Arches around 4.6 miles later.

Driving time takes less than 10 minutes and Arches visitor center is situated just inside the park boundary with plenty of parking spaces.

From Arches visitor center to Devil’s Garden trailhead (the furthest point in the park), you only need to drive 18 miles one way.

Therefore, from Moab to Devil’s Garden and back you will only have to drive a total of 46 miles, which is relatively little for a national park.

Moab To Canyonlands National Park

The popular Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is a little further than Arches from Moab but it is accessed from the same direction.

Driving time from Moab to Canyonlands Island in the Sky is closer to 40 minutes total, with 11 miles (15 minutes) on US-191 before turning onto UT-313 for 22 miles (25 minutes).

Island in the Sky visitor center is located before you reach any of Canyonlands major attractions. From the visitor center to Grand View Point (furthest away in the district) you will drive a further 12 miles.

Therefore, from Moab to Grand View Point and back you will drive a total of 81.6 miles, which is significantly more than Arches but still doable.

Arches To Canyonlands

Driving time between Arches visitor center and Canyonlands Island in the Sky visitor center is around 35 minutes and covers a distance of 29 miles.

However, driving through the parks can add a deceptive amount of time on to your journey.

Take into account driving time between Devil’s Garden Trail in Arches and Grand View Point in Canyonlands is 1 hour 20 minutes over a distance of 54 miles.

Consider that traffic and congestion may increase times for driving between Arches and Canyonlands, especially in peak season.

Mesa Arch glowing red just after sunrise in canyonlands national park Utah

Hiking In Arches And Canyonlands

Are you planning to hike on your Arches to Canyonlands one day itinerary?

The first thing you should know is that there are plenty of trails in Canyonlands and a small handful in Arches. You won’t be able to do them all on a day trip.

We think there are just 3 hikes in Arches you should prioritize, they are Windows, Devil’s Garden and Delicate Arch, in that order.

Canyonlands is a different beast because there are more options, more districts and the trails are far more open to your interpretation. We recommend hiking Mesa Arch at a minimum but after that it will come down to your personal preferences.

For the purposes of this one day Arches and Canyonlands itinerary, we will focus on the achievable trails to maximize your efficiency.

Want to hike adventure trails in Utah? Read our popular guide to the best hikes in Zion National Park where you will find the iconic Angels Landing and The Narrows.

Devil's Garden Hiking Trail 7 mile loop Utah

Best Hikes In Arches National Park

Let’s take a brief look at each of the three best hikes in Arches so you can get a feel for the trails:

1. The Windows

  • Distance: 1 mile roundtrip to Windows, interpretive and primitive hiking option (recommended) and 1/2 mile roundtrip to Double Arch
  • Difficulty: Very easy

The Windows consists of North Window and South Window, which are huge arches close to one another on a very short and easy loop hike.

They are popular photography spots and you can hike the primitive trails around both arches to find new perspectives. This is a great hike for beginners and the less mobile (here are our most important tips for beginner hikers).

2. Devil’s Garden Trail

  • Distance: 7.8 miles in total with full primitive loop included, trailhead to Landscape Arch return is 1.9 miles, trailhead to Double O Arch return is 4.1 miles
  • Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous

Devil’s Garden Trail is a truly awesome 7 mile loop perfect for adventurous hikers because it is partly primitive with lots of path finding involved.

Parts of the trail are easy before it becomes more difficult with scrambling and lack of a recognized path. There may be shallow water to pass through and there are considerable drops to be aware of if traveling with kids.

Don’t miss our day hike packing checklist to make sure you have everything you need for the trails in Arches.

3. Delicate Arch

  • Distance: 3 miles roundtrip
  • Difficulty: Moderate but steep ascent

Delicate Arch is one of the most famous stone arches in the world it access via a short but steep hike up slick rock.

The trail is nothing to shout home about, but the summit is something you have to see to believe, especially at sunset.

Want to hike in Arches? Read our complete guide to the 3 best hikes at Arches which goes into much greater detail about each trail.

Deep ravines and gorges in a wide open landscape with clouds in the sky

Best Hikes In Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands has hundreds of miles of hiking trails from which you can further explore the natural features of the region.

Once down in the canyons you can walk for hours, but we are only going to focus on the Island in the Sky district for the purposes of your one day in Arches and Canyonlands itinerary.

If you do plan to head out into the backcountry, we highly recommend downloading one of the best hiking apps so you can track your location offline.

Here are the best hikes in Canyonlands Island in the Sky:

1. Mesa Arch

  • Distance: 0.7 miles roundtrip
  • Difficulty: Very easy

Mesa Arch Trail is less than 1 mile roundtrip and it leads to one of the most stunning sunrise spots on the planet. Making the effort to see this arch for sunrise will be one of the best things you do in Moab.

Even if you can’t make it for sunrise, Mesa Arch is still the most unmissable hike in Canyonlands and it easily makes our list of the 25 best hikes in Utah.

2. Grand View Point

  • Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
  • Difficulty: Easy

Grand View Point is an easy roundtrip hike with mesmerizing Canyonlands views as your reward. We highly recommend this trail as your second hike after Mesa Arch.

The stunning Grand View Point trail is flat and offers close up panoramas as you peer down into rugged gorges carved by the Colorado and Green rivers.

3. Syncline Loop Trail

  • Distance: 8 miles roundtrip
  • Difficulty: Hard

Syncline Loop trail is a strenuous loop circling Upheaval Dome crater in Canyonlands Island in the Sky.

It takes around 6 hours to complete so we suggest only taking on this extra hike if you are staying around Moab for a few more days.

Stunning Mesa Arch after sunrise with glowing arch and blue sky plus sunburst
 

Photography At Arches And Canyonlands

Hiking is popular in both Arches and Canyonlands, but we think photography here just about steals the show.

Whether you are a professional or amateur photographer, you are going to be blown away by the landscapes around Moab, Utah.

Heck, even if you have no interest in photography at all, you will leave with a broad sense of appreciation for mother nature at her finest.

We hope you will drive this Arches to Canyonlands itinerary with your smartphone or camera snapping non-stop!

Let’s take a quick look at the two most unmissable spots:

Mesa Arch Canyonlands National Park Incredible Sunrise over canyon with red glowing arch similar to arches national park Utah on a one day itinerary

1. Mesa Arch In Canyonlands For Sunrise

Sunrise belongs entirely to Canyonlands in the battle of the two national parks near Moab. Mesa Arch is a truly mind-blowing sunrise and you would do well to see a more dramatic scene anywhere else in the United States.

Through Mesa Arch you will see a striking canyon floor and a beautiful sun rising directly ahead. On a clear day you can see the La Sal Mountains in detail. However, it is not uncommon for the canyon and mountains to be shrouded in a thin veil of mist at dawn.

The only downsides to sunrise at Mesa Arch are a very early start in Moab and the photo location is very crowded. But we promise it is worth the effort.

Armed with far superior photography skills, knowledge and equipment, Mesa Arch at sunrise will be our first port of call the next time we are Utah!

Want to see Mesa Arch? Read our complete guide to photographing Mesa Arch at sunrise for tips and advice.

Sunset over Delicate Arch and bowl sun setting in horizon deep orange and purple sky

2. Delicate Arch In Arches For Sunset

Conversely, sunset belongs to Arches and Arches only with Delicate Arch the star of the show.

Sure, The Windows is another picturesque sunset photo spot in Arches, but the scene around Delicate Arch is in a league of its own.

We urge you to prioritize watching sunset from Delicate Arch if you can make it work with your itinerary and travel plans. It really is special.

Leave right after the sun sets so you can make it down before dark, or better yet take a headlamp to use alongside your smartphone and stay up for one of the most mesmerizing Milky Way displays you will ever see.

Want to see Delicate Arch? Read our guide on how to watch sunset at Delicate Arch with photography tips and more.

Arches And Canyonlands Day Trip Map

Click or touch the interactive map to activate, move around and zoom into both Arches and Canyonlands to orientate yourself with both parks before your visit.

You will find the hikes, arches, viewpoints and campgrounds mentioned below in the itinerary.

Perfect Canyonlands To Arches Day Trip Itinerary

Now you have all the information but it needs to be organized into an efficient timeline so you don’t miss any of the highlights at either park.

The best way to see the highlights of both parks is to begin in Canyonlands and then visit Arches afterwards. We can’t stress enough how important it is that you visit in that order.

Follow this precise step-by-step guide to get the most out of your action packed one day Canyonlands to Arches national park itinerary.

1. Mesa Arch (5.00am)

Mesa Arch view of incredibly beautiful sky before sunrise Utah

Check Canyonlands sunrise times the night before and be sure to wake up 1 hour and 30 minutes before civil dawn because you need to arrive at Mesa Arch 30 minutes before civil dawn begins.

So, let’s say civil dawn is 5.30am-6.00am, you need to leave Moab at 4.00am in order to arrive by 5.00am.

You have one hour to drive and hike to Mesa Arch otherwise it becomes packed full of professional and hobbyist photographers. It is important to get a good position on the tiny photographers dance floor.

We gave ourselves plenty of time by arriving even earlier just to be sure and we still weren’t the first on site.

The hike to Mesa Arch is easy and only take 10 minutes but remember you will need a headlamp to light the path in darkness.

Many will leave as soon as the sun has risen above the horizon. However, we suggest sticking around for a good 30 minutes to 1 hour longer for more magical colors and a spot of breakfast.

Canyonlands valley green river Colorado river creating deep gorges

2. Grand View Point (7.00am)

The major Canyonlands spectacle is over but you still have Grand View Point and Green River Overlook to enjoy.

Start with Grand View Point, which is just a 10 minute drive from Mesa Arch.

You have awesome views from the parking lot but take on the easy hike along the rim to get even closer to the action. You can appreciate the scale far more from the hiking trail.

Allow roughly 1 hour here for a slow walk to enjoy the jutting buttes and ravines.

View over a rugged landscape with carved out valleys and a blue sky

3. Green River Overlook (8.00am)

Head back towards Mesa Arch but take 2 left turns in quick succession to Green River Overlook. This fantastic viewpoint is where you will find Willow Flat campground if you decide to camp.

Views over Green River are special and you can see as far as the horizon with sharp fault-like tunnels cutting sharply through the valley bed.

Adventurous 4wd route shafer trail connecting Moab to canyonlands

4. Shafer Trail (9.00am)

By now you have ticked off the top highlights of Canyonlands Island in the Sky district. It is time to head for Arches but make one final stop 15 minutes past Mesa Arch at Shafer Trail Viewpoint.

You passed this in darkness on the way into Canyonlands and you will be shocked at how awesome yet terrifying the 4WD track looks.

There is a cool viewpoint you can walk out onto but be careful of the sheer drop over the cliff edge.

If you have a 4WD and a few hours spare (plus courage in abundance!), this road runs all the way back to Moab, passing by the edge of Dead Horse Point State Park.

This may seem like a short period to spend at Canyonlands National Park but it is all you can spare with a one day itinerary.

Gigantic boulder perched on top of other boulders looking as though it might fall

5. Arrive Into Arches (10.00am)

It should take around 35-40 minutes to reach Arches Visitor Center. Have a quick look around before driving a further 25 minutes through Arches towards The Windows.

Along the way you will pass by fantastic rock formations and scenery. Try not to stop too many times otherwise your day will disappear and there’s a lot to get through.

One place to definitely take a pit stop is Balanced Rock. This huge and slightly rounded boulder sits perched atop a half-pyramid shaped rock and appears as though it could roll off at any moment.

Hiker stood on rocks looking at the distant horizon

6. The Windows and Double Arch (11.00am)

The Windows Section consists of North and South Window, plus Double Arch and Turret Arch. It is a picturesque area to explore and requires around one hour of your time.

Snap some fun perspective photos of yourself looking ant-sized underneath North Window and check out the snow capped La Sal Mountains through an array of arched sandstone rocks.

If you are doing well for time, find the short primitive loop trail running behind North Window which offers views over a flat plain up to the distant mountains.

Double arch is unique in that two separate arches share the same foundation stone for one leg, with the other legs opening out in different directions.

This area has more natural arches than anywhere in the world, formed by water erosion from above rather than from the sides.

7. Devil’s Garden Loop (12.30pm)

Leave The Windows and drive up to Devil’s Garden Loop trailhead. This is the time to eat your packed lunch and refuel, you are going to need it.

By the time you set off on Devil’s Garden Trail you will be looking at the better part of 12.30pm.

Devil’s Garden can be hiked in many ways. You can hike to Landscape Arch and out back for an easy and less time consuming route, or you can hike the entire primitive loop which will take around 4 hours.

Our advice is to allow yourself enough time to hike up to Delicate Arch for sunset. So, if sunset is at 6.30pm you have 6 hours to hike Devil’s Garden and Delicate Arch.

Assuming you take on the full Devil’s Garden Loop, you will pass by 7 arches and 1 spire. It is a magnificent trail and we highly recommend it for any adventurous hikers.

Here are the points of interest in order if hiking clockwise:

  • 1. Landscape Arch
  • 2. Partition Arch
  • 3. Navajo Arch
  • 4. Double OO Arch
  • 5. Dark Angel Spire
  • 6. Private Arch
  • 7. Pine Tree Arch
  • 8. Tunnel Arch
Famous sandstone arch formation at sunset with a purple sky

8. Delicate Arch (5.30pm)

It is just a 15 minute drive from Devil’s Garden trailhead to Delicate Arch parking lot, which is close to Wolfe Ranch. Try to begin hiking the trail at least an hour before sunset, if not more.

You are looking at a 30 minute hike to Delicate Arch summit and you will want some time to appreciate the magnificent landscape before it gets dark.

The trail is fun and unique because for the most part there is no path! It is a case of walking straight up a huge slab of rock until you reach the bowl shaped depression summit.

When you first see Delicate Arch right in front of you, look to the left and you will spot a small viewing gallery where photographers are likely to be set up.

This is where you should watch the spectacular Delicate Arch sunset on the opposite horizon.

Enormous natural sandstone arch formation lit up at night

9. Milky Way Optional (7.30pm)

The perfect end to your Arches and Canyonlands one day itinerary would be to stay right there at Delicate Arch to wait for the Milky Way to dazzle across the night sky.

We know this won’t work for everyone, especially families with kids. Most people will leave Delicate Arch right as the sun sets so they can get back to the car before it gets dark. And let’s face it, you will be hungry by now and dinner will be calling in Moab.

But for those who do stay, you are in for a real treat. We cracked out the remainder of our sandwiches, snacks and even a small bottle of wine to share. Why not?!

Whether or not you stay for stars, you have ticked off the best bit of both Arches and Canyonlands in one action packed day!

What To Do With More Time

Are you thinking about potentially staying in the area for an extra day or two?

Well, in addition to simply slowing down the itinerary above so you have a better experience, there are also many more things you can do at both Arches and Canyonlands with more time.

Let’s take a very brief look at your options:

Canyonlands

Visit the Needles, the Maze and Rivers districts for a host of 4WD trails, hiking trails and more spectacular canyon views.

Or stay in Island in the Sky and take on Syncline Loop, Upheaval Dome and longer canyon trails near Moab.

Arches

Book onto a ranger led tour of Fiery Furnace which has a small fee and must be reserved.

Fiery Furnace is a moderately difficult trail through a maze with obstacles which lasts around 3 hours. It is named so because it is a scorching sun trap in Summer.

Outside of slowing down your time in The Windows, Devil’s Garden and Delicate Arch, you can also hike to Courthouse Towers or hike to lesser known arch formations around the park.

Hundreds of oddly shaped arches at arches national park in Utah

Best Time To Visit Arches And Canyonlands

Spring and Fall are the best seasons to visit Utah’s National Parks including both Arches and Canyonlands because the temperatures are most comfortable.

Summer typically brings intense heat into the southern Utah parks. Conversely, the winter months can be harshly cold and hiking is difficult with treacherous conditions.

To avoid the biggest crowds at Arches and Canyonlands, stay clear of Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends when both parks are at their busiest.

Hotels Near Arches And Canyonlands

Moab is a fantastic place to stay when visiting Arches and Canyonlands national parks. The small city is set up perfectly for hosting adventure seekers and lovers of the great outdoors.

Let’s take a look at some of the best hotels you can book in Moab:

We stayed at Expedition Lodge and had a fantastic experience. With that said, there are several excellent options due to high demand in the area.

Read our extensive guide to the 12 best hotels in Moab on our sister site Best Hotels Anywhere for a closer look at your top rated options.

You also might find our popular how to book cheap hotels guide helpful for saving money when booking hotels.

Man stood on huge orange rock with amazing valley view in background

Campgrounds Near Arches And Canyonlands

If you prefer to camp, want to save money on hotel bookings or simply want to be closer to the national park action, there are a handful of excellent options available for your trip.

At Arches you can choose between a dozen or so campgrounds within the immediate area, but only Devil’s Garden Campground is within the park boundaries.

Devil’s Garden Campground

Devil’s Garden campground is open all year but reservations are required between 1st March and 31st October. It is a first come first served campground between 1st November and 28th February.

Campground sites are released 6 months in advance and usually fill up a few months before the date.

This campsite is notoriously difficult to snag a site, which means you have to be organized and get in quickly with your dates. Sites cost $25 and do not have electric hookups. Here is more information.

Canyonlands National Park Campgrounds

There are just two campgrounds inside Canyonlands and only one is in the more popular Island in the Sky district called Willow Flat.

Willow Flat Campground

Willow Flat campground is open year round on a permanent first come first served basis. Sites cost just $15 per night but there are only 12 sites available, which fill up quickly through spring and fall. Here is more information.

You can stay at a number of campgrounds nearby, but some require hiking or 4WD vehicles to access more remote areas of the region.

Alternatively, you are permitted to backcountry camp in Canyonlands.

Camping Special

Are you planning to camp near Arches or Canyonlands?

We have teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers an exclusive no strings attached 30 day free trial with The Dyrt PRO.

This is our favorite camping app because it helps you find the best campgrounds along your specific driving route with so many benefits such as no booking fees and locations for free camping.

You can also use a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts to receive notifications when sold out campgrounds have cancellations so you can snag near-impossible spots. This may come in handy at Devil’s Garden campground when you visit.

Thai Bella incredible Thai food restaurant peanut sauce on broccoli and white rice

Where To Eat Near Arches And Canyonlands

Moab is the obvious place to sleep and dine out during your visit to Arches and Canyonlands.

There are actually heaps of great places to eat in Moab. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Moab Diner – Breakfast
  • Dewey’s Restaurant and Bar – American
  • The Broken Oar – American
  • Trailhead Public House – Pub grub
  • Desert Bistro – Fine dining
  • Quesadilla Mobilla – Mexican foodtruck
  • Sultan Mediterranean – Kebabs

But our top foodie recommendation is Thai Bella, which served up amazing Thai food. Seriously try the chicken in peanut sauce and be brave with 3 chilis!

More US Southwest Guides

Want more Utah content? Head over to our Utah Travel Guides to explore the Mighty Five National Parks and beyond.


We hope this one day itinerary for Arches and Canyonlands helps with planning your visit to Utah!

Please let us know if you have any questions about visiting Arches or Canyonlands in the comments below.

Happy travels,

Mark and Kristen

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Share this article!

Vincent J. Di Mauro

Sunday 28th of March 2021

Excellent article!!! We have decided to go there in September for our 55 anniversary.

Mark and Kristen Morgan

Sunday 28th of March 2021

Thank you Vincent - That's great to hear, happy emerald anniversary! If you have any questions or need help planning your trip, please let us know. If not, have a fantastic time!

Graham Bedford

Friday 10th of July 2020

Amazing arches and formations, some don't look real, love to see them though.

Mark & Kristen Morgan

Friday 10th of July 2020

We agree! Delicate arch (the one with sunset and stars above) was the most fascinating. It's hard to comprehend how that formed, particularly next to a smooth bowl shaped depression. This was one of our favorite landscapes on our US Road Trip. Hope you can get out to see them one day!