Arches National Park with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide

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Spiriteds, if you burst into tears when you visit a national park because you are overwhelmed by its beauty and the privilege of being there, do we call that an automatic raving review? Because I absolutely DID burst into tears on the hike to Delicate Arch. And when I look back through our photos of Arches National Park, I am reminded why.

Arches National Park was the first stop on our loop tour of the Utah Mighty Five (plus the Grand Canyon). And all I can say is it set us up for BIG EXPECTATIONS at all remaining parks we visited. From the unmitigated allure of sandstone formations and open landscapes to kind and patient rangers and easy-going fellow hikers, our time at Arches was divine and simply too short.

I was also reminded throughout our journey how much our national parks require more than just our adoration. They deserve our advocacy, too. I’m learning more about this as I go, not only with each park we visit but also through the National Park Foundation. Learn more at How Are National Parks Funded?

If you are bonkers for national parks, too, and have all kinds of questions about visiting Arches National Park with kids, then read on. Below are the ins and outs of the first stop on our journey.

Land acknowledgement of Indigenous Peoples affiliated with Arches National Park

Before we begin, if you are curious about the Indigenous Peoples whose histories and stories are rooted in this land and who were the original stewards of this awe-inspiring place, then please visit the National Park Service’s Arches National Park page, Wilderness.

Why Arches National Park is perfect for families

During the offseason, crowds are light at Arches National Park, and the overall pace is laid back. Furthermore, if you need to store gear, extra water, or snacks in your car, you won’t be far from them the way you could be in more populous and shuttle-oriented parks like Zion. 

Each hike in Arches National Park has its own ambience, so no two hikes are exactly the same. And there’s room to roam, which is great for kids who need to let off some steam or channel rambunctious energy. 

Arches National Park is also great for families because it easily accommodates multiple difficulty levels and desired challenges. Kids of varying ages, interests, and ability levels can engage with the environment around them.

If you would like details about wheelchair accessibility, then you might find Discover Moab’s post, Wheelchair Accessibility at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks by guest contributor Adele Heidenreich, helpful.

Why we visited Arches in March (and why you should, too)

We decided to beat the heat and skip the crowds by visiting Arches National Park with our kids in March. This was a good call. Not only did we have the place almost entirely to ourselves, but the weather couldn’t have been nicer.

To channel my inner Dr. Seuss, let me just say the sun was sunny but not too sunny. And the clouds were cloudy but not too cloudy. The atmosphere was calming the sunsets were show-stopping. There wasn’t an overwhelming rush to get from one point to another. Everyone went at their own pace, so we did, too.

March weather at Arches: what to expect

Although we had lovely weather while we were there, late-winter and early-spring weather in Arches National Park is ever-changing. 

Here’s an Arches National Park tip: Check weather reports in the days leading up to your trip, so you know what to pack. What was supposed to be several rainy days of 50-degree weather during our trip turned into bright, breezy weather with daytime highs between the 60s and 70s.

We did, however, still wear layers. Shorts under hiking pants, short-sleeves under long sleeves, and windbreakers are all good ideas. Even on those sunny days, the morning and evening temperatures were significantly cooler than daytime highs.

Planning your family trip to Arches National Park

Park entry fees, passes, and timed-entry reservations

At the time of this writing, Arches National Park no longer requires timed-entry passes during peak season. This may be subject to change, depending on the year and anticipated attendance levels. Typically, if you go during the off-season, like we did in March, then you don’t have to worry about timed entries.

But here’s another important Arches National Park tip: You will need an America the Beautiful Pass or an Arches National Park pass (if you only plan to visit Arches on your trip) to enter the park. Timed entries are separate from general entrance passes.

There were few crowds at Arches National Park in mid-March, although the Visitor Center was busy. And speaking of the Visitor Center, you’ll see it just as you enter the park. We went there first to get our bearings and to use the restrooms. The modern restrooms are located just outside the front doors to the Visitor Center.

Since Arches National Park is a certified dark sky park you’ll also see people enter later in the evening once the sun sets. Get ready for incredible views of constellations. If you have a telescope and want an excuse to use it, Arches is a worthy choice indeed.

What to pack for hiking in Arches with kids

What should you pack when you visit Arches National Park with kids? We found lined, warm windbreakers, along with shirts, shorts, and socks at our local Sierra store. We were also glad to have these items on hand:

• Hiking pants. I own these in three different colors!
• Tall, thick socks
• Water-resistant hiking boots. It’s important to make sure your laces are tied tightly and that your foot doesn’t slide round when hiking. This helps prevent sore feet and toes as well as blisters.
• Hydration backpacks. These are an absolute must-have. We found ours at our local Sierra store. Learn more about how to choose one, thanks to REI.
• Day backpack. We love these bags so much, we have them in several colors. They are fairly lightweight and can easily be worn in the front as a crossbody, which is helpful when you also wear a hydration backpack.
• Snacks such as dried fruit, granola, and jerky
• LOTS of lip balm and hand lotion
• Sunscreen, hats, and head lamps 
• GPS tracker

Another tip for visiting Arches: Once the sun goes down behind the horizon, it gets dark QUICKLY in the park. When we hiked to and from Delicate Arch, the sun set and our hike back was almost pitch-dark. Several people, us included, got caught without proper lighting gear. Several people used the flashlight on their phones to guide the path. We made an effort on future later-in-the-day hikes to grab our headlamps, even if the sun was still out. It’s often the return hike where you find yourself in the dark.

How to get around Arches National Park: navigation tips for families

The #1 thing to do before visiting Arches National Park with kids: Map your hikes

Print off a map of the park and circle the arches and other points of interest you want to visit. The arches within Arches National Park are often clustered together, so you may be able to identify several during a single round of hiking. Once you print your map and circle your destinations, then locate bathrooms nearest your hikes. Some are pit toilets while others are modern with plumbing.

We printed a PDF map of Arches via Moab Adventure Center. I grew up before the internet was a thing and remember driving with printed Mapquest directions, so I’m not likely to complain about printed PDFs. But you DEFINITELY won’t hear me complain now after visiting national parks. Paper maps are a necessity since cell reception inside the parks is iffy. If you forget to print a map, then ask a ranger for one at the entrance station or inside the Visitor Center.

And if you want to take your planning a step further, then research what the arches look like before you go. Looking them up ahead of time ensures you don’t miss an arch since they aren’t labeled (though the trailheads are marked). It’s easy to pass by one without realizing it.

Do you need a car? (Yes, here’s why)

There isn’t a designated shuttle service in Arches National Park. You’ll need a car to travel Arches Scenic Drive, the main drag. It’s easy to navigate but doesn’t have sidewalks or pedestrian walkways alongside it. You’ll want to drive from one trailhead or cluster of arches to the next, park your vehicle, and tackle your next hike.

Navigating Arches National Park with kids

There are two basic ways to navigate Arches National Park via the scenic drive. Each option depends on the weather, crowds, your energy levels, and amount of time you have to spend at the park. 

• Option 1: Drive to the furthest point you want to visit within the park, begin your hikes there, and then work your way back down Arches Scenic Drive, eventually reaching the entrance.
• Option 2: Prioritize your must-do hikes and complete those first, regardless of where they are in the park.

We didn’t know what to expect when we first entered Arches. So, we chose Option 2 on the first day to ensure we hit some hot spots and Option 1 on the second day. 

The Junior Ranger program: a must for kids

Kids of all ages can pick up Arches Junior Ranger booklets at the Visitor Center. These programs are engaging but may also be time-consuming. Some programs set requirements to earn a badge based on the person’s age. Others allow kids to select their own levels. 

Quick Arches National Park tip: Pick up copies of junior ranger booklets right at the start of your journey or print them off ahead of time and bring them with you on your trip.

The best kid-friendly hikes in Arches National Park

Once you’re in this vast park, then it’s time to start hiking. Below are the kid-friendly hikes and family-friendly points of interest we enjoyed. Hikes that made our list, with the exception of Delicate Arch, are under 2 miles roundtrip. I’ve broken these hikes up based on their location within the park.

First up are hikes and arches near the northern part of Arches National Park.

Skyline Arch

Distance: 0.4 mi (0.6 km) roundtrip – out and back

Difficulty: Easy

This hike isn’t strenuous and the view along the way is as stunning as the view is once you arrive there. We were almost entirely on our own with the exception of a few hikers here and there. It’s also a great stop if you plan to spend time in the Devil’s Garden area of the park.

Broken Arch

Distance: 1.2 mi (1.9 km) roundtrip – out and back

Difficulty: Easy

This was a surprisingly beautiful hike with open, grassy, sandy spaces. We ran into other hiking families, but it was never crowded. I’d hike this one again in a heartbeat. And when I think of Arches National Park, my mind automatically wanders back to Broken Arch. It blew us away.

Sand Dune Arch

Distance: 0.4 mi (0.6 km) roundtrip – out and back

Difficulty: Easy

This one-way path was a family-favorite hike. Because you hike in sand, you’ll want to wear heavy-duty hiking boots and tall socks. It was also windy while we were there, so we were glad to have our windbreakers (sandbreakers? LOL) with us.

Because it’s a one-way path, we did wait a few minutes, at various points, to let others pass. But, it was a relatively easy hike. It’s also a great place for a photo op.

Next up are family-friendly hikes and points of interest midway through Arches National Park.

Delicate Arch

Distance: 3.0 mi (4.8 km) roundtrip – out and back

Difficulty: Moderately difficult

The most strenuous and longest of all the hikes we did in this park, the Delicate Arch hike is about 3.6 miles roundtrip. It was also the most congested. But because we were there in March, we still had ample room to hike and go at our own pace.

There is one drop-off/cliff/ledge area on the way to the arch that could be dangerous for children. Our friends hiked this path with their kids (middle school-aged) and during that stretch told them to keep one hand on the sandstone wall at all times.

When we hiked the path, we put our youngest in front of me, the second born behind me, and K-Hubs in the back. We would hike it that way again.

There is also a cliff-like drop-off behind Delicate Arch. So, as you stand under it to take pictures, know that behind you is a ledge. Be aware of your balance and allow ample space between you and the edge.

Petroglyphs

Distance: Park at trailhead and walk to them – out and back

Difficulty: Easy

On your way to or from Delicate Arch, make sure to see the stunning petroglyphs. They are a popular spot, so expect a few crowds, even during the offseason. We brought binoculars but didn’t need them. The petroglyphs are visible from the path.

Balanced Rock

Distance: 0.3 mi (0.4 km) roundtrip – park and walk up to it

Difficulty: Easy

We visited this rock formation first, and it was an excellent way to begin our Arches experience with kids.

The Windows

Distance: 1.0 mi (1.2 km) – loop trail

Difficulty: Easy

This whole cluster of arches is worth seeing, and although there are trails, it’s open enough you can decide how far you want to go before turning around. Even if you don’t hike to every arch, you can still see many of them from the hiking trails.

Turret Arch

Distance: Part of the Windows loop but can be an out and back path

Difficulty: Easy

Like the hike to Broken Arch, this arch blew us away. Omigosh, we spent so much time at Turret Arch, we almost forgot to keep going. There are a few areas that are steep climbs, if you want to go through the arch. But rigorous hiking isn’t required in order to see or enjoy it. One of our children hiked through it and the other chose not to. 

Double Arch

Distance: 0.6 mi (1.0km) part of the Windows section of the park

Difficulty: Easy

Double Arch is part of the Windows loop. However, it is NOT the same as Double O Arch, a more challenging hike in the northern part of Arches.

And if you are looking for short-distance hikes near Arches National Park Visitor Center, then circle these destinations on your map.

Courthouse Towers

Distance: 0.8 mi (1.4 km) roundtrip

Difficulty: Easy

I have a confession, I had it in my head there was an actual courthouse in Arches National Park from some time period gone by! 🙂 It took me a while to realize the creative names assigned to the arches were not literal but rather representative of what the arches look like.

This is an excellent hike for families but can also be seen from the road on the scenic path while you drive through the park.

Park Avenue

Distance: 1.0 mi (1.6 km) roundtrip – one-way hike

Difficulty: Easy

This was such a fun, immersive hike. When you hike Park Avenue, you are surrounded by gorgeous arches. There is a catch, though. The hike is a one-way path. So you park your car at the ending point and hike to it. The suggestion is for someone in your party to meet you at the ending point. 

Admittedly, since we had the entire path to ourselves, save for a few people, we hiked as far as we wanted and then turned around and hiked back to our car. But don’t tell anyone we did that. 🙂

During a busier season, you’ll need a person to take one for the team and wait for you at the end of the hike to pick you up.

The Three Gossips and Sheep Rock

Distance: View from Arches Scenic Drive or Park Avenue Trail

We first saw the Three Gossips when we drove through on Day 1. And we all agreed (without knowing the name) that the structure looked like three people. By the next day, we had a good laugh when we realized we had been looking at the Three Gossips. 

You can see the Three Gossips and Sheep Rock from Arches Scenic Drive. Like Broken Arch, Sand Dune Arch, Park Avenue, and Turret Arch, we unexpectedly fell in love with the Three Gossips.

But, did we love Delicate Arch, though? Oh, yes, we did. Remember the trail where I spontaneously burst into tears because I was so overwhelmed by the beauty around me? Bless my ever-loving heart, it was on the way to Delicate Arch.

Our honest family review of Arches National Park

What we loved

WHERE DO I EVEN BEGIN? With the gorgeous, awe-inspiring sandstone formations? Or do I start with the variety of hikes available? Because hiking to Turret Arch is an entirely different experience than hiking to Broken Arch or Sand Dune Arch. And if you want to hike Park Avenue, then DO IT. But that’s another type of environment, too. You might be in the same national park for all of these hikes. But each one offers an entirely different feeling and energy. Never once did it feel boring or redundant.

Of the six national parks we visited, Arches ranked highest for all four of us. It was breathtaking and the perfect park to start with. Going in March also meant fewer crowds to contend with, giving the girls ample room to explore. Even the perennially popular Delicate Arch was a roomy hike.

What surprised us

First, I was blown away by how open and spread out the park is. I’m not sure why, but I expected it to feel cramped or claustrophobic. Perhaps I anticipated more tourists and clawing and elbowing to get to points of interest. But I was wrong. In fact, I think Arches National Park was the easiest of the Mighty Five Utah National Parks to maneuver.

The second surprise? How quickly it went from bright to dark when the sun fell behind the horizon. It’s like a switch is flipped. One minute you can see in front of you and he next, you can’t. Even if you think you won’t need them, bring along headlamps or stocking caps with rechargeable lights if you hike later in the afternoon.

Finally, we were surprised by how kind everyone was. From other hikers to park rangers, people we met were helpful, uplifting, and encouraging. There was an unspoken reciprocal agreement to take pictures for one another. If you offer to take pictures, you’ll almost certainly be asked if you’d like your picture taken, too. And when in doubt, always take the picture. Your future self will thank you.

Would we go back?

Oh my goodness, yes, in a heartbeat. In fact, we are already planning a return trip to Arches National Park with our kids to see more arches, take on more challenging hikes, and revisit our favorite spots. It is a stunning park that is worth every minute you can spend there.

FAQs about Arches National Park with kids

What main road leads to Arches National Park, and where do I stay in Moab, UT while I’m there?

US Highway 191 runs parallel to the Arches National Park entrance. There are several hotel chains in the area. We stayed at a Marriott Fairfield just south of the park. Of all the hotels on our trip, it was our favorite.

What do the crowds in Arches look like during March?

We visited Arches National Park with kids right in the middle of March and had most of the place to ourselves. There were small clusters of other hikers and families, but none of the touristy crowds you’d expect to see later in the season. 

The lighter crowd size in March also means it’s easier to go at your own pace and take breaks when you need to. The closer you get to late-March and early April, the more you can expect the crowds and the pace to pick up.

Are there bathrooms near the trailheads in Arches National Park?

Yes, there are bathrooms near the trailheads and throughout the park at Arches. Some have plumbing, like near the Visitor Center, while others are pit toilets. There are usually two or more stalls with doors, so lines in the offseason are short to nonexistent.

How much water should we bring to Arches National Park? (Hint: It’s more than you think)

I wish I took a picture when I saw it, but there was a sign in the national parks that said to have as much as a gallon of water on hand when you hike. I can’t speak to whether a gallon is the right amount for everyone. But you will need more water than you think, even if the weather is cool.

Hydration backpacks were our lifesavers. There aren’t a lot of places to refill water bottles in many national parks. Some parks don’t turn on their water until spring officially starts, regardless of the temperature. So, you’ll want to have enough water for the day before you begin your first hike. We also kept a jug of water in the car as backup for refills, in case one or more of us drank all our water.

Fortunately, hydration backpacks come is all shapes, sizes, and price points. Our girls wear their own hydration backpacks, which are narrower in cut and made of lighter-weight material than what K-Hubs and I wear. The girls love them so much they wanted to wear theirs around town when we got back from our trip to Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Are all the trails paved in Arches National Park?

No. While there are paved or marked areas that are clearly paths, several trails are unpaved. And in many spots, the closer you get to the individual arches, the less paved the terrain. Heavy-duty hiking boots are your friend.

How many days do you need in Arches National Park?

To really enjoy Arches National Park with kids, plan for at least two days, three if you can swing it. I will say this though: Don’t wait for the perfect time or the “just right” number of days. If you get a chance to visit Arches National Park with kids or without kids, in March or during peak tourist season, just go for it. This park is an underrated gem that stole our hearts. 

Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun (like visiting a national park) whenever you can. And always remember I’m glad you’re here. ❤️