How to visit Arches and Canyonlands in one day

If you’re staying in Moab, but are tight on time, visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day is one of the best things to do with your time there.

You may be driving through Moab as part of an extended Utah road trip like us, or perhaps you’re trying to fit in a trip to these National Parks over the weekend or limited vacation days.

In that case, don’t worry, you can total spend a half day in Arches and a half day in Canyonlands National Park!

Sure, you won’t get to explore every inch of the park, and you won’t get to do a lot of hiking. However, you’ll still be able to see some of the best things to do in Arches National Park like Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch, as well as view Canyonlands from the scenic drive and check off Mesa Arch.

If you do have the time, you can easily spend longer in this part of southeastern Utah near Moab. But, not everyone does have the time in which case this guide to visiting Canyonlands and Arches for one day should help you decide what to do. I’ve picked out the top things you should do in each National Park in Utah for this Canyonlands and Arches in one day trip itinerary.

Quick stats about visiting these Moab National Parks

Below is some information on the driving time between these two parks as well as the distance.

• Moab to Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky District): About 32 miles (40-45 minutes)
• Moab to Arches National Park: 5 miles to the park entrance (10-15 minutes)
• Arches national park to Canyonlands national park: Going from Canyonlands to Arches is about 26 miles or 35-40 minutes

Arches vs Canyonlands

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, though close in proximity, offer unique experiences:

• Arches National Park: Known for its over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famed Delicate Arch, Arches offers relatively easy, family-friendly hikes and stunning landscapes. It’s more compact and easily accessible, perfect for a one or two-day visit.
• Canyonlands National Park: It’s larger and more diverse, divided into districts with the three main ones being the Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze – each with distinct characteristics. It offers more challenging hikes, four-wheel-drive roads, and opportunities for backcountry camping. Ideal for multi-day visits and for those seeking more adventure and remoteness.

How to see both Arches and Canyonlands in one day

Can you do Arches and Canyonlands in one day? Yes, definitely! But in order to see both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in one day, you’re going to need to get up pretty early.

This post could easily also be a “what to see in Moab in one day” post since both national parks are super close to the town of Moab.

I’d also recommend picking up lunch in Moab beforehand. There isn’t anywhere to buy a good lunch in either Arches or Canyonlands and getting food before you head out will save you having to go back into Moab.

Then, for dinner, treat yourself to a meal at the Moab diner – you’ll be hungry after this adventure-packed one-day itinerary for Arches and Canyonlands!

Begin the day in Arches National Park

• Note: Don’t forget your Arches timed entry reservation if you’re visiting between April 1 and October 31!

I’d start with Arches since it’s closer to Moab and it tends to be the busiest of the two. Getting there early (around 7 am ideally, but definitely be there before 8 am when it really gets busy) means you’ll enjoy the park while it’s quieter.

You could go even earlier if you wanted since Arches National Park is open 24/7.

Devil’s Garden Trail

Once you’ve passed through the entrance to Arches National Park, drive the scenic road all the way to the northern end of the park to the Devil’s Garden Trail.

Although it’s tempting to stop off at all the pullouts, it’s nice to work from the back to the front and it’s a good way to pass the crowds.

From here you can either do the whole Devil’s Garden Loop trail, or you can do a shorter hike to Landscape Arch, Navajo, and Partition Arch.

These were some of my favorite arches in Arches National Park so it’s worth hiking out to them (about 1-2 hours). Plus, I think this is the best of the Arches National Park hikes!

Delicate Arch hike

After you’ve ticked off some of these arches, head back to your car and drive back down the scenic road stopping off at the Fiery Furnace Overlook as it’s a pretty impressive area.

Then, it’s time to take the road to the Delicate Arch trailhead. Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in Arches National Park and this is one of the busiest Arches hikes.

It doesn’t take too long to hike out to it and back (1-2 hours) as it’s only around a 3-mile hike and not too strenuous.

It’s definitely a must-do but if you really don’t want to hike then you can head out to the viewpoint where you get a pretty good look at the arch from a distance.

When we visited Arches National Park we went to the viewpoint first thinking we didn’t want to hike again after completing the full Devil’s Garden Loop trail. Then we saw how impressive the arch was and went and hiked out to Delicate Arch.

The rest of the Arches Scenic Drive

When you return from Arches National Park you can then carry back down on the scenic road towards the park entrance/exit.

I’d recommend stopping at the Windows Arches, from which you can also see Turret Arch and Double Arch.

There’s a small trail you can do that takes you around the back of the Windows arches. It’s quite a nice trail but it’s not a must-do!

Go from Arches National Park to Canyonlands

Enjoy lunch with a view at Arches, or save it for an arguably even more impressive view in Canyonlands a you continue your Utah road trip.

Getting from Arches to Canyonlands takes about 30 minutes as Canyonlands is just under 30 miles away.

From Arches National Park you turn onto the US-191 N for 6.5 miles until you reach the junction for the UT-313 W.

Continue on this road for just over 14 miles and you’ll see signs to the Island of the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park. It’s quite a scenic drive really as you see the desert landscapes whizz past you.

What to do in an afternoon in Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is huge, way bigger than Arches. It’s also not as easy to access all areas of the park because they’re separated by canyons and rivers.

Because of this, and because you’ve only got one day to spend in Arches and Canyonlands, this half-day itinerary for Canyonlands focuses only on the Island in the Sky district.

If you have more than one day in Canyonlands National Park then take a look at this guide to each of the Canyonlands districts.

Hike to Mesa Arch

By this point in the day, you will have seen a lot of arches but I promise Mesa Arch is still worth seeing.

It’s a super short and easy Canyonlands hike from where you can park your car (more of a walk really) and the view through the arch is beautiful.

Drive down to Grand View Point Overlook

Grand View Point Overlook certainly lives up to its name. From up here, you can see some of the White Rim road (a 4×4 trail that runs along the canyon floor and takes several days to complete).

Drive over to Green River Overlook

Green River Overlook is one of the most beautiful spots in Canyonlands National Park. From here you can see down into the canyon and watch as Green River winds down below.

It’s amazing to think the huge canyons you see here are formed by (what looks like from this point) rather small rivers.

One Day Moab National Parks Itinerary with half day in Arches and galf day in Canyonlands

Here’s an alternative itinerary for these National Parks in Moab.

Morning in Arches National Park:

• Start Early: Begin your day early to beat the crowds and the heat.
• Visitor Center: Make your first stop at the Arches Visitor Center to grab a map, get any recent updates about trail closures, and learn about the park’s unique geological features.
• Park Avenue: Start your hike with the Park Avenue Trail. This 1-mile one-way trail takes you through a canyon flanked by towering red rock formations.
• Windows Section: Drive to the Windows Section next, featuring North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. Short trails lead to each of these stunning formations.
• Delicate Arch Viewpoint: If time allows, make a quick stop at the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint. Here, you can see the iconic Delicate Arch from a distance.

Afternoon and Evening in Canyonlands (Island in the Sky district):

• Drive to Canyonlands: Depart Arches and drive towards Canyonlands National Park, which takes about 35-40 minutes.
• Island in the Sky Visitor Center: Upon arrival, visit the Island in the Sky Visitor Center to familiarize yourself with the park’s layout and trail information.
• Mesa Arch: Start your Canyonlands exploration with a short 0.5-mile round-trip hike to Mesa Arch. This arch offers an incredible view over the expansive canyon below.
• Grand View Point: Drive to the Grand View Point. A short, easy trail leads you to an outstanding panoramic view of the park.
• Green River Overlook: Head to the Green River Overlook to catch a mesmerizing view of the Green River winding through the canyons.
• Sunset at Upheaval Dome: End your day at the Upheaval Dome. It’s a bit of a hike but the unique geological structure and the chance to watch the sunset over the park make it worth it.

Note: This is a packed day, and you may need to adjust based on your hiking speed and how much time you spend at each location. Remember to bring plenty of water, wear sun protection, and take breaks as needed. Always check the current conditions with the park rangers before setting off.

Which is better Arches or Canyonlands National Park?

When it comes to Arches vs Canyonlands, it really depends on what you prefer

Arches National Park is the busier of the two but both parks are so different that you can’t really compare the two and say which is better.

Arches National Park is all about the arches and rock formations whereas Canyonlands is all about the canyon and the Green and Colorado Rivers.

I loved both National Parks but If I really had to pick then I think I preferred Canyonlands over Arches.

This is partly because I knew a little about what to expect from Arches and had read about it before. However, Canyonlands was a complete surprise and so had no expectations to live up to.

Also, as of 2023, you’ll need an Arches National Park timed reservation to enter whereas this is not needed for Canyonlands. If you’ve not been able to get a timed entrance booking for Arches then Canyonlands is a great alternative.

Where to stay near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks

When visiting Utah Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, you’re likely to either camp nearby or book accommodation in Moab, Utah. If you’re considering Moab as your base, here are some top hotel recommendations in the vicinity of both national parks.

As there are no hotels within the parks and few options just outside their boundaries, staying in Moab is highly recommended.

While camping is an option within the parks, if you prefer more traditional accommodation, Moab offers several outstanding hotels and even some luxurious glamping options.

Given Moab’s popularity, it’s advisable to secure your accommodation well in advance. Even during late April, the town can be fully booked.

Best Moab Accommodations for Arches and Canyonlands

• Radcliffe Moab: This 3-star hotel offers an outdoor pool, communal lounge, restaurant, and rooms with city views or terraces. Vegan and gluten-free breakfast options are available, and guests can enjoy a hot tub.
• The Gonzo Inn: Boasting a seasonal outdoor pool and a terrace, all rooms are air-conditioned with amenities like a coffee maker, fridge, and microwave. An onsite restaurant serves American and Italian dishes.
• Under Canvas Moab: Offering an unforgettable glamping experience, these unique tent lodgings have BBQ facilities and options for basic tents with shared bathrooms or luxury tents with private bathrooms and lounges. Bike rentals are available for exploring local desert trails.
• Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton: Known for its picturesque location, comfortable rooms, and exceptional restaurant, this luxury hotel ensures a pleasant stay with modern, serene rooms, and high-end bathrooms.
• Red Cliffs Lodge: Located along the Colorado River, this resort offers unique amenities like a horse corral, a Western film museum, and a winery. Each suite features a private patio with creek or river views.
• Moab Springs Ranch: This 3-star hotel features a garden, terrace, and onsite restaurant. Some rooms come with a kitchenette. Additional amenities include a hot tub, barbecue facilities, and hiking opportunities.

FAQs about Visting Canyonlands and Arches Utah

Final thoughts on going from Canyonlands national park to Arches national park in 1 day

If you’re on limited time and want to enjoy both Canyonlands National Park and also make time for visiting arches national park this half day in Arches National Park itinerary combined with Canyonlands National Park in half a day is the perfect way to fit in these two incredible Utah National Parks.

The distance from Arches National Park to Canyonlands National Park is pretty short, taking under 40 minutes, so it’s easy to drive between the two.

When it comes to Canyonlands vs Arches, my preference is for Canyonlands as the canyon is super impressive, but Arches National Park is also a must-see!

Last Updated on January 9, 2024 by Hannah