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There's a reason Delicate Arch has made its way onto the license plates (and hearts) of so many Utahns: It's one of the most beautiful natural arches in the world, located at the center of the greatest collection of natural arches in the world — Arches National Park.
What's not so beautiful? The long wait times to get into the park during the peak season. After all, you're there to see idyllic sandstone arches and windows, not idle Broncos and Winnebagos.
Good news: thanks to Arches' new timed entry system, the wait is literally over. No more rolling the dice and hoping you can get in on a holiday weekend — leave the gambling to Kenny Rogers.
Here's everything you need to know about the new system.
When are reservations required?
Reservations are required to enter the park between April 1 and Oct. 31 every day between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Reservations allow visitors to enter the park during a one-hour window starting at the top of the hour (e.g., 7–8 a.m. or 12–1 p.m.).
So if you want to catch Delicate Arch at 5:50 a.m. or 8:38 p.m. for that sweet golden hour, no need to worry about booking anything.
Same thing from November to March — no reservations are needed. So if you feel a sudden urge to see some snow-covered Arches in December, you can indulge in your spontaneous need. Just make sure you have 4WD/AWD, or at the very least, snow tires.
When should I book my reservation?
Reservations can be made up to three months in advance of your visit. It is highly recommended to book your spot as early as possible because a lot of people are just as excited as you are to take a selfie under Delicate Arch. (Speaking of which, an added bonus of the timed entry system is that that selfie line will be shorter too.)
If you don't want to do the math, here's some help:
- April, May and June reservations are open.
- July reservations (July 1–31) open April 1.
- August reservations (August 1–31) open May 1.
- September reservations (September 1–30) open June 1.
- October reservations (October 1–31) open July 1.
If you procrastinated, a limited number of tickets are available for purchase the day prior to entry at 6 p.m. MDT through recreation.gov. Be warned that those usually sell out within 5–10 minutes, so you need to be quick.
Where do I book my reservation?
The first thing to do is to create an account on recreation.gov, regardless of how you plan to book your entry.
Then, the most convenient way to book a reservation for Arches is through the recreation.gov website or app.
But if you prefer booking over the phone (or want to punish your Gen Z child by making them do it), you can call one of the following reservation lines:
- Standard line: (877) 444-6777
- International line: (606) 515-6777
- TDD line: (877) 833-6777
It's important to note that reservations are not available at park entrance stations or park offices. If you don't book in advance, the only arches you'll see will be at the Moab McDonald's.
How much do I have to pay?
The non-refundable reservation will set you back $2, plus the entrance fee ($30 per standard vehicle).
If you've got an annual or senior pass, your entrance fee is covered as usual but you still need a reservation.
If you're on a bicycle or on foot, no reservation is needed but you have to pay the entrance fee — business as usual.
On a bicycle and in possession of an annual pass? You are part of the elite and can just waltz right in with no requirement — other than throwing your hands in the air like a Tour de France stage winner.
Will I avoid having to wait completely?
The short answer is no, but the long answer is that the wait times are now usually between 20 to 40 minutes compared to the potential 3–4 hours of yesteryear. It's a massive difference. These wait times are also much more predictable, as only a certain amount of vehicles are allowed in every hour.
Need more information on the new timed entry system at Arches? Discover Moab has got you covered. Visit their website for tips, insider information and more.
