Places to Stay at Arches National Park
Last Updated on February 16, 2024 by Kathryn
Discover the best places to stay at Arches National Park, from camping options to luxury hotels in Moab. Learn about the Devils Garden Campground, nearby lodges, and top recommendations for an unforgettable experience.
Visiting a new National Park can be overwhelming, especially one as popular as Arches!
Are you wondering where you can stay at Arches National Park?
From camping to glamping to hotels to luxury accommodations, there is something for everyone, both inside Arches National Park, and in Moab, the neighboring town just 4 miles south of the park.
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Lodging Near Arches?
Keep in mind that there are no hotels or other lodging options within Arches. Even though there are no lodges within the park, there are plenty of other places to stay when visiting Arches National Park.
Moab has tons of hotel options (check out Expedia.com, Kayak.com). There are also plenty of Airbnb or VRBO options.
Moab is small enough that you can stay anywhere in the town and still be close enough to Arches.
For most times of the year, it is unnecessary to book far in advance, but for the more popular times (spring break, holidays), plan on booking a hotel at least a couple of months prior to your trip.
I recently stayed in Springhill Suites Moab and found it to be an ideal place to stay with kids.
The rooms are spacious with 2 queen beds plus a living area, and clean.
There’s a pool and splash pad (!), exercise room, and a very good complimentary breakfast. If you want to be in a hotel very close to the entrance to Arches National Park, this is an ideal option as it is only a 5 minute drive away.
For these reasons, I’d pick this as one of the best places to stay at Arches National Park when you’re traveling with kids.
For a unique experience, check out the Red Cliffs Lodge, which is situated on the banks of the Colorado River.
I recently had dinner at their Cowboy Grill, and the views along the river are gorgeous!
At 25 minutes away from Arches, it is quite a bit farther away from the options you’ll find in Moab, but the views are gorgeous.
There’s something special about being farther away from town and watching the night sky explode with stars.
The Red Cliffs Lodge also has an option to purchase a sack lunch to take with you on your adventure.
Camping in Arches
Are there campgrounds inside Arches? Yes! There is only one: the Arches National Park Devils Garden Campground.
Camping at Devils Garden Campground is truly one of the best places to stay in Arches National Park! Camping just can’t be beat when it comes to being immersed in nature.
Camping Reservations
Between March 1 and October 31, you must make a reservation for Devils Garden Campground, the only campground at Arches National Park.
You can make a reservation up to six months in advance, and if you have your heart set on Devils Garden, I recommend making hopping on the reservation website and booking a spot when it opens at 7 am PT/8 am MT/10 am ET when it is 6 months to the day that you want to book.
If you don’t have a reservation, check back frequently because there are often cancellations.
We’ve had a lot of luck getting campsites at other national park campgrounds at the last minute.
Be flexible and consider moving around campsites within the campground if you’re unable to secure the same site for multiple nights.
From November 1 – February 28, the Arches National Park Devils Garden Campground is first-come first-serve.
Go as early as possible and always have a plan B in case you don’t get a site. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find another place to camp outside the park.
RV Camping
Is there RV camping at Arches National Park?
Yes! Arches National Park Devils Garden Campground allows RV camping, up to 40 feet in length at some sites.
Note that there are not water, electric, or sewer hookups and generator times are limited (8 am–10 am and 4 pm–8 pm).
If you have your heart set on camping but can’t get a reservation, don’t worry!
Camping Outside Arches
There are 26 nearby campgrounds outside of the park that are managed by The Bureau of Land Management.
There are also many other privately owned campgrounds (we love Hipcamp!).
I love the solitude of dispersed camping, but be advised that camping in only allowed in developed campgrounds within 20 miles of Moab.
Check out this page for more info on where you can camp for free.
If you have your heart set on camping but can’t get a reservation, don’t worry!
There are 26 nearby campgrounds outside of the park that are managed by The Bureau of Land Management.
There are also many other privately owned campgrounds (we love Hipcamp!).
I love the solitude of dispersed camping, but be advised that camping in only allowed in developed campgrounds within 20 miles of Moab.
Check out this page for more info on where you can camp for free.
Cost to Stay at Arches NP
It really depends on what you’re looking for, with Arches National Park accommodations ranging from $20 per night (camping) to more than $700 per night (luxury).
Campground fees start at $20 per night.
When we stay in a hotel, we usually pick one in the 3-star range, and these will run around $150 per night, give or take.
If you’re thinking big, there are resorts that run upwards of $700+ per night.
While those look fabulous, I can’t speak from personal experience since that’s not how we roll!
Getting to Arches
Arches National Park is located in southeastern Utah, near the small town of Moab.
It is pretty far away from major cities. Getting to Arches National Park from Las Vegas, Nevada is a 6.5 hour drive, and is It is less than a 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City, Utah, and just 2 hour drive from Grand Junction, Colorado.
The airport in Provo, Utah flies to a limited number of places, but the flights tend to be inexpensive, plus the airport is small and very manageable. Best of all, it’s only 3 hours to Moab, so if you can swing it, the Provo Airport would be a great place to fly in to.
The nearest airport to Arches National Park is a small regional airport in Moab, Utah. Keep in mind that there is no public transportation, so you will need to rent a car to get around.
Having a vehicle for your stay is a must, in my opinion. There are no public transportation options within Arches National Park, although there are private tour companies that will drive you.
When you’re with kids, though, it’s always nice to go at your own pace.
Within Moab, there are other options besides your own car, such as Uber, Lyft, or Moab’s new, free transit program, but this is generally a place where it’s nice (I’d even say necessary) to have your own vehicle.
Where to Eat
Of all of Utah’s National Parks, Arches is by far closest to the best and most dining options.
We love the Moab Food Truck Park – everyone can find something they like!
For an unforgettable dining experience, the Cowboy Grill at the Red Cliffs Lodge offers unsurpassed views of the Colorado River (be sure to make a reservation).
There are numerous restaurants along Main Street where you can grab a bite to eat and then check out the shops. Brunch at Gloria’s is awesome since it has something for everyone.
Essential Arches NP Info
I have an entire post about Hiking in Arches. Check it out!
Native Lands
Take some time to learn about the native lands. The National Park Service recognizes several native tribes that have a connection to Arches National Park, including:
Pueblo of Zuni (or A:shiwi),
the Hopi Tribe,
the Southern Ute Indian Tribe,
Ute Indian Tribe-Uintah and Ouray,
the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, and
the Kaibab Band of Paiute Indians.
Do you need and Arches National Park Ticket? Yes!
Timed Entry Tickets
To enter Arches National Park during April – October, you must have a timed entry ticket between 6 am and 5 pm.
It is best to get a reservation for Arches National Park weeks, if not months, in advance.
If you are unable to obtain an Arches National Park entrance ticket in advance, try getting one the night before you’d like to go at the entrance station.
Even during peak season they hold a few last-minute Arches National Park tickets. (My friend had luck getting some of these last May.
Cost to Visit
It may be more economical to purchase a National Parks Pass rather than a day pass.
The full price for an annual pass is $80, and it is discounted to $20 for seniors (or $80 for a senior lifetime pass).
Federal lands volunteers, military, persons with disabilities, and all 4th graders can get a FREE pass!
Avoiding Crowds
Generally speaking, the national parks in Utah are crowded!
Instead of feeling dismayed at the lack of solitude that you might experience, consider feeling grateful that so many people get to experience these incredible places.
However, I understand wanting to get away from everyone!
A significant way to avoid crowds is planning when to visit the parks. Carefully pick the time of year, day of the week and hours of the day to visit.
I’ve found that being flexible helps a lot with dealing with crowds.
If a parking lot is full, move on to the next one. There are so many awesome, easy hikes in these Mighty 5 that you’re really not missing out if you have to swap out your planned hike for a different one.
With some flexibility and planning, you can avoid the bulk of the crowd using these tips.
Go in winter. Spring, summer, and fall are the peak tourist season, but each park is just as beautiful in winter.
Plus, the desert is very hot in the summer which makes hiking or keeping kids happy difficult.
We’ve visited Capitol Reef National Park and Zion National Park in winter and rarely saw another person on the trails.
Go early. Can you imagine the red rock against a sunrise?
Imagine the spectacular colors of an Arches National Park sunrise or the sun coming up over the hoodoos at Bryce.
If you’re like us and have a toddler waking everyone up early while on vacation, take advantage and check out the sunrise.
You won’t be disappointed!
Go late. The majority of tourists head out of the park for dinner. Go in the late afternoon around 4 or 5 pm and catch a sunset in one of the Mighty 5 National Parks.
Stay for sunset. Sunset in any of these parks is not to be missed! The rocks turn incredible shades of orange and red. Pack in a picnic dinner and enjoy you Mighty 5 sunset!
Avoid holidays. Holidays, including spring breaks, are very crowded times to go. The winter holidays are also busy.
Avoid weekends. Like most anything, weekdays are better. Avoid Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and, if possible, go on Tuesday or Wednesday, which typically have the fewest crowds.
Leave No Trace
Do your part to protect our parks! Practice these Leave No Trace Principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Others
Also, please don’t carve on the rocks and stay off the cryptobiotic soil!
Tips for Going With Kids
Wear old clothes – it’s tough to get that red sand out!
Speaking of sand, expect to have red sand in your car for weeks (or months or even years) to come. Think of it as a souvenir!
Kids tend to be much more willing to hike when they are appropriately dressed for the weather (at least ours are!). The desert can be cold at night, even in the summer nights.
Have lots of snacks on hand. A little treat goes a long way!
Sunscreen up every 2 hours. That desert sun is strong.
Take more water than you think you’ll need. It’s easy to get parched in the dry desert air.
Pets are not allowed in most places in Utah’s National Parks, including hiking trails.
I hope this guide has been helpful for you to find the best accommodations in Arches National Park for your family. There are so many places to stay in Arches – have fun!
