An Epic 1/2 Day in Arches National Park with Kids (Plus Where to Stay in Moab!)

This was Stop #5 in our Arizona-Utah road trip in April 2021. Check out this post to see the rest of our stops between Phoenix/Scottsdale and SLC, UT.

Although we only had one afternoon/evening in Arches National Park, we really enjoyed the unique rock formations and breathtaking views and loved our time there.

As I was preparing for our trip, I found this post by Jurga at Full Suitcase that really helped me decide what I most wanted to see in Arches during our limited time at the park. I love finding trip reports that help inspire my family’s adventures, just like I hope to inspire you!

Prepare for Crowds

Since we were there in April, within the busy season of March-October, the entrance station and parking lots were very crowded. If you go during these months, we recommend that you plan extra time for waiting in lines or driving around parking lots until a spot opens up. But don’t lose heart, the views and unique experiences are worth it!

We entered the park around 3:00pm and waited a little over 1/2 hour to get to the entrance station. The next morning on our way out of town around 9:45am we saw that the park was already full and people were being turned away from the entrance. So be prepared for crowds!

You can check the entrance station webcam before your trip to get an idea what times of day may be best to enter the park, and you can check again before you head to the park to see what the wait time is like.

Stops in the Park

Along the Scenic Drive

At our first stop inside the park at a small pullout we came upon an artist painting a scene. We could have stopped almost anywhere in the park and found a new scene worthy of it’s own painting!

Balanced Rock and Double Arch

Our second stop was a short visit to the Balanced Rock before heading to the Double Arch and exploring inside the two great arches. Scrambling up the rock was my 8-year old daughter’s favorite part of the day!

Delicate Arch Hike

After the Double Arch we decided we better get to the Delicate Arch trailhead before it filled up for the sunset hike. We were lucky to find a parking spot almost right away and started the hike to the Delicate Arch about 2 hours before sunset.

We were glad we gave ourselves plenty of time to make the trek. The trail is only 3 miles round trip, but the terrain is steep and rocky and may take more time than you expect.

Don’t miss the wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs near the beginning of the trail. It’s a really unique and fun hike, with the chance to run and climb on the rock along the way. If you have little ones, you’ll want to be close by them for the trail near the arch where it is pretty narrow for a short distance.

You’ll want lots of time at the arch to admire the majestic view and maybe even stand in line for a chance to take the perfect picture! And you’ll want to give yourself enough time to hike back to the parking lot before full dark.

The Delicate Arch hike ended our day at Arches, but we will enjoy the happy memories for a long time to come!

The Perfect Place to Relax After a Day of Hiking

While in the area, we stayed at the Hyatt Place Moab. The hotel was comfortable and clean with free laundry machines! The staff was friendly and helpful, breakfast during COVID was great with hot and cold options, and we really appreciate that our room included a sofa bed so our family of five could sleep comfortably with no one on the floor.

The pool area was unique with gorgeous views of the surroundings. The pool bottom had several levels with some shallow areas great for young kids. And the huge hot tub made it easy for lots of people to enjoy a nice soak without it feeling too crowded. There was also a small playground near the pool.

Even if you don’t have a lot of time, a stop in Arches National Park is definitely worth it. It’s amazing to see the natural stone formations and arches, and it’s a great place to get out and enjoy the beauty of our world!

Grab a printable activity book for your upcoming trip at our new store!