Are you wondering, “Do you need reservations for Arches National Park?”
Yes, there is now an Arches National Park reservations system.
Arches National Park, one of Utah’s Big Five, is home to more than 2,000 natural arches. It’s an incredible place to visit.
However, there is only one entrance to the park and Arches National Park Road is the only road through the park. Arches National Park parking is also limited. And, because there is just one campground and no other lodging inside the park, and no shuttle service, almost everyone drives into the park for the day.
Due to the logistical limitations and the extreme popularity of the park, it often got full. And when it did, the National Park Service closed the entrance and turned people away.
This used to happen only occasionally in the busiest months, but then it started to happen almost every day over the course of several months of the year.
Something had to give…
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As a result, the NPS decided to implement a timed entry system to Arches National Park, along the lines of the one also used in Rocky Mountain National Park.
The reservation system can be a little complicated. I am a national park expert and I have written this detailed guide to the Arches timed entry system to make your planning easy and help ensure you can get to the park and enjoy all it has to offer.
*** Updated for 2025 ***
“Do I need a reservation for Arches National Park?” Yes, you will between certain dates and times.
Table of Contents
Type of Arches National Park entry tickets/ reservations
Tickets will be issued for timed entry to the national park as a day visitor for several months each year. During this period, you will not to be able to enter Arches National Park for the day unless you have a reservation.
When you make your reservation, it will be for a window of time and you will need to enter the national park in this time period. In 2025, the timed entry is between 7:00AM and 4:00PM. They will allow entry during a one-hour window of time.
Period reservations are needed for
The timed Arches reservations will be in place for access April 1 to July 6, 2025 and August 28 to October 31, 2025.
*** Note that timed entry permits are NOT required between July 7 and August 27, 2025.***
Once you enter, you can stay as long as you like and can even leave and re-enter as long as you get your ticket validated.
How to get Arches National Park permits/ make reservations
Entry tickets are only available online at the NPS reservation system or by calling.
If you book online:
➡️ go Recreation.gov
➡️ search for “Arches National Park Timed Entry Ticket”
➡️ select the day you plan to visit the park
➡️ add it to your cart
➡️ complete payment
➡️ After payment, you will receive an email confirmation with an attached Timed Entry Ticket
If you want to call, the numbers are:
📞 Reservation Line: 877-444-6777
📞 Reservation International Line: 606-515-6777
📞 Reservation Line (TDD): 877-833-6777
Tickets are NOT be available onsite.
The tickets will be released in two different allotments (in advance and soon before travel dates).
a) Advance Tickets
Tickets will be released six months in advance on the following schedule:
| Reservations open | For entry in this month |
| January 2 | April 1 – June 30 |
| February 1 | July 1 – 6 |
| March 1 | August 28–31 |
| April 1 | September 1–30 |
| May 1 | October 1–31 |
Tickets go on sale at exactly 8:00AM MST
b) Day before Tickets
A limited number of tickets will be released the day before at 7:00PM MDT, starting March 31, 3025.
Cost of tickets/ reservations
There is a $2 non-refundable processing fee for the Arches National Park day pass. This is in addition to the regular Arches National Park entrance fee.
When is it not necessary to make a reservation for Arches National Park access this summer?
This reservation (and fee) is not required in the following circumstances:
1) For the following dates in 2025:
📅 January -March, 2025
📅 July 7 – August 27, 2025
📅 November 1 – December 31, 2025
2) You have a reservation for Devil’s Garden Campground inside the park, a wilderness camping permit, a Fiery Furnace permit, or a special use permit. You’ll be able to enter the park on the first day of your camping reservation.
You’ll need to show proof of a reservation or permit in lieu of your entry ticket and you must have a camping permit or reservation in advance. There will be no same-day sales at the park’s campground.
3) You enter the park outside the ticketed hours. The timed entry ticket is only required for entry into the park between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM.
4) You ride a bicycle or walk into the park. Hiking isn’t recommended because of the distances, however.
After You Get Your Timed Entry Ticket
Be sure to print, download or take a screenshot of your timed entry ticket and take it with you to the park. You will also need valid photo ID.
Getting a reservation for Arches National Park is a very important step in planning your trip if they’re required for when you’re going to be there – and I hope this guide helps.
However, as I’m sure you’re very aware, this is just one of many things that goes into planning and preparing for your trip to Arches.
In fact, the thing that people ask me about most is how to put everything together into an itinerary that actually makes sense. They get a reservation for Arches (or decide they’ll enter outside the reservation hours) but still worry about what there is to do (and when), how to minimize the crowds, and how to coordinate it all.
To help take away the overwhelm of planning a trip to Arches National Park, I’ve created several super detailed itineraries.
Without them, people often feel stressed about planning their trip. With them, they have the confidence of getting all the info they need in one spot. Plus, there’s flexibility built in, so they can easily adapt them to their own interests and activity levels.
There are 1-day and 2-3-day options: all with detailed hour-by-hour schedules, including alternatives for different activity and fitness levels, plus trail maps and descriptions, driving instructions, important information, essential tips, and everything else you need to make the most of your time in Arches National Park.
Arches National Park: Tips For Getting Timed Entry Tickets
Read my post about which national parks require reservations for some insider tips on making reservations (and the lowdown on the other national parks that also require some form of reservations this summer).
Here is a simple summary of the steps to take to maximize your chances of getting a reservation for the national parks. You’re welcome to share this image on your site using this code and attribution:
Good luck and enjoy Arches National Park!
Planning a trip to Arches National Park is getting harder all the time. You can make your planning easy and stress free with a detailed itinerary. I have 1-, and 2-3- day itineraries for Arches National Park that include all the park highlights, give you choices based on your preferred activity level, and take all the stress out of planning your trip.
Do you have any other thoughts about Arches National Park reservation system? I’d love to hear them. Join my private Facebook group National Parks Collectors and comment and let me know (you can also pick up extra planning tips, share your photos and stories with other national park lovers and more).
If you found this article useful and now know the answer to “Do you need a reservation for Arches National Park?”, Pin It to your Arches National Park board!
If you are thinking about traveling to some other national parks, don’t miss my guides to:
➡️ Which US national parks require reservations
➡️ Glacier National Park’s Going to The Sun Road reservation system
➡️ Yosemite National Park day use reservations
➡️ Rocky Mountain National Park timed entry reservations
➡️ Acadia National Park’s Cadillac Summit Road time entry reservations
➡️ Zion’s Angel Landing hike permit lottery: A Complete Guide
💡 Are you just starting to think about taking a national parks trip? Get Inspiration
‼️ Are you looking for helpful tips for visiting US national parks? Read articles that share useful tips on a range of national-park related issues
💻 Are you starting to plan a trip to Arches National Park? Read my Guide to Arches National Park
📋 Do you want a ready-made super detailed plan for your trip to Arches? Get a detailed 1 – 3-day Arches National Park Itinerary
🛏️ Are you looking for a place to stay near Arches National Park? Find a vacation rental near Arches National Park
💲 Are you ready to book your trip? Use these Planning and Booking Resources
📖 Do you want to read a book about Arches National Park? Check out my Recommended Reading List for Arches National Park
About the Author
James Ian is a national park, camping and hiking expert.
He has dedicated his life to travel, visiting more than 80 countries, all 7 continents and most of the national parks in the United States. With over 35 years experience in the travel industry, James has worked on cruise ships, at resorts and hotels, and as a travel planner who’s helped hundreds of people plan successful trips to US national parks.
Based on his experience visiting our national parks multiple times, in-depth research and expertise as a travel planner, James has published detailed itineraries for many of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, and other resources will help you have your own incredible trip to US national parks without stress and hassle.
As a national park expert, James has contributed to many publications, including USA Today, Newsweek, Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
I’m a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.