Getting Here

The best way to get here is to fly into either Salt Lake City or Las Vegas and drive to Moab. It is a 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City and an 6 hour drive from Las Vegas. Renting a car from either of the cities and driving in is the best option in my opinion.

Make sure you have your park pass and read about any closures and restrictions here

Best Time to Travel

As I say about most places, best time to visit is during shoulder seasons. Summers here are too hot and winters are too cold. The sweet spot is April-May and September-November (just before the snow starts to fall)

Where to Eat?

• Arches Thai (Surprisingly nice thai food in Moab - good for dinner)

Where to stay?

We stayed at Expidition Lodge and were very happy with the hotel, with the rooms being large and clean. It was also very conveniently located making it worth it for us.

Book Here

Day 1 Canyonlands National Park

Map of the Canyonlands National Park

You can use this consolidated view on google maps for your day 1 itinerary Map for Day 1

Both Arches and Canyonlands are such unique national parks with so many arches as the name suggests. The park has a very distinct, colorful landscape and unique but dramatic scenery. The park is a 10 minute drive if you are staying in Moab. Grab coffee, a bit to eat and make your way into the park early.

Your first stop will be at the Island in the Sky Visitor Center where you can purchase tickets to enter the park and souveigners to take home.

The first stop on your day will be at Mesa Arch. This is a 0.6 mi roundtrip hike and takes about 30 minutes to cover with an elevation gain of 56ft. This is a perfect spot to view the sunset but beware that this is a popular hike and it might be crowded.

Next, make your way to Green River Overlook for breathtaking views of the canyon. You will be surrounded by red canyons, the Colorado river, and mountains all around you.

Make your way to Grand View Point where you will again observe the canyon rim. This is a 2mi roundtrip hike with an elevation gain of 73ft. It takes about 2 hours to do this hike.

On your way out, make a quick stop at the Dead Horse Point State Palk for views of the canyon from the other side.

Day 2 Arches National Park

Arches National Park is not as massive as the other parks I have been to but it still has a lot to offer. It is very different in its own way and I was looking forward to exploring the unusual landscape that this park offers.

Arches National Park Map

You can use this consolidated view on google maps for your day 1 itinerary Map for Day 1

Landscape Arch

Sand Dune Arch

Double Arch, North Window Arch, & Turret Arch

Double arch is a beautiful short 0.5mi hike that takes you to a fun double archway.

Turret Arch is right next door and is a 1mi hike and is another wonderful short and easy hike.

North Window arch is one of the most noticable views of the park only following the Delicate Arch. This is also in the same vicinity and again is a short 1mi hike loop.

Next up, you can visit the Balanced Rock and The Phallus Pillar which are both unique and fun stops along the way.

Day 3 - Arches National Park - Delicate Arch

The final day was a day full of relaxation as we wanted to enjoy the small town of Moab while we were here. We spend time exploring cafes, local shops and relaxing in the hot tub in our hotel. Later in the day, we made our way back to Arches National Park for our final hike of the trip -

One of the most distinguished landmarks when it comes to national parks is the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

This is one of my favourite hikes which is strenuous with extremely rewarding fruits at the end of the rope. This 3mi hike is very steep with an elevation gain of 538 ft.

It can take anywhere from 2-3 hours to complete and the best but most popular time to hike this is just before sunset - just be sure to carry a light with you as the sun sets fast in the mountains and it gets dark very quick.

The hike can be a little dangerous as it is steep and the markes can be tricky to find so wear firm grippy shoes and always be alert!

Other stops along the way

• Capitol Reef National Park
• Little Wild Horse Canyon – Hickman Bridge
• Fremont Petroglyphs

We spent four unforgettable days exploring the stunning red rock landscapes of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. From sunset at Delicate Arch to panoramic views at Island in the Sky, every stop felt like a postcard. We hiked through natural stone arches, towering spires, and deep canyons, soaking in the raw beauty of Utah’s desert. It was the perfect mix of adventure and awe. I hope this helps you plan your next trip here and get to experience this beauty yourself!

Amrita