Arches National Park self-guided driving tour in Moab

Explore the Arches National Park with its highlights and learn about how these wondrous and unlikely formations came to be.

Begin at the visitor center by the entrance to Arches National Park. As you set off on your journey, pass the towering formation of the Three Penguins and the geological Moab Fault, and pause at Park Avenue. You can simply admire the formations, colors, and layers here or hike the trail into the park. Next, check out the distant snow-capped La Sal mountains, the iconic Three Gossips, and the towering series of formations from the Courthouse Towers to Sheep Rock. Continue deeper into the park, admiring the petrified dunes and desert scrub while learning about the native Ute and Paiute tribes, their mythologies and way of life, and their eventual struggle against Spanish invaders and Mormon settlers.

Head to the famous Balanced Rock formation, followed quickly by the two most popular stops: the Windows Arches and Double Arch. Enjoy jumping out and exploring these geological marvels up close. Then make your way through Arches’ unique Cache Valley to Delicate Arch, the unrivaled highlight of this park. You can check out the nearby historic Wolfe Ranch and tribal petroglyphs, and decide if you want to see the famous arch from a viewpoint or hike closer for the details. Continue your adventure through the unique Salt Valley of Arches to stunning formations like the Fiery Furnace, Sand Dune Arch, Arches Forest, Skyline Arch, and Tapestry Arch. These are all optional stops and hikes.

Finally, make your way to the farthest point in the park: the Devil’s Garden. Hop out to visit the famous Landscape Arch as the crowning vista of a surreal landscape.