Arches National Park is one of Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks. You can visit and enjoy it any time of the year but if you want to avoid the crowd and get the most out of Arches, you’ll need to plan your trip wisely. One important thing to include in your plan is knowing the best airport for Arches National Park and the main gateway town of Moab.
This guide will help you decide the best airport to fly into Arches so you can better plan your trip with fewer hassles.
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This guide outlines a range of convenient airports that you could be the best for your trip. However, the nearest airport with commercial flights to Arches National Park is Canyonlands Field Regional Airport and the nearest MAJOR airport to Arches National Park is Salt Lake City International Airport.
Planning a Trip to Arches National Park
The basic things you’ll need to do when planning your trip to Arches National Park include:
- First up, you’ll need to decide when to go. Read my guide: When is the Best Time to Visit Arches National Park? for more information.
- You’ll also need to decide how long to go for. Read my guide: How many days in Arches National Park do you need? for more information.
- Then, you’ll need to decide where to stay. There is one campground inside the national park at Devil’s Garden. Most people stay in Moab. The distance from Moab to Arches National Park is just 5 miles. You can find several hotels and campsites in this area. If you’re camping, my Tent Camping Checklist will help you with the things you need to pack. You can also check the list of lodges and rentals in Moab.
- Now that you have decided where to stay, the next thing is to decide the best way to get to Arches National Park. Read my guide How To Get To Arches National Park for more details.
If you’re taking a road trip, you’ll need to rent a car and plan out your route. Book a car through Discover Cars – you enter your destination and they scan all of the available cars in all the agencies to find the best price for the type of car you want.
You can also read my Guide to Finding the Cheapest Rental Car for handy tips.
Check my Road Trip Packing List to make sure you have everything you need for your trip.&
- If you’re going to fly, read on to find an airport close to Arches National Park. That’s what this guide is to help you do!
- Then you’ll need to book a flight. I recommend using Skyscanner to search through all available flights to find the cheapest.
- Finally, you will need to decide your itinerary.
If you’re a planner, then I can make this easy for you. Pick up one of my very detailed, hour-by-hour, day-by-day itineraries for Arches National Park (you can get them for 1 or 2-3 days).
For other information about Arches National Park, check out my Arches Guides.
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Closest Airports To Arches National Park
How to Decide What’s The Best Airport Near Arches National Park, Utah
So, what airport do you fly into for Arches National Park? Because everyone’s trip is different, the best airport will depend on your personalized itinerary and specifics of your trip.
Some things to consider are:
- Where else are you planning to go on your trip? If you’re doing a road trip to all five of Utah’s national parks, a more distant airport might actually make the most sense.
- When are you going? The park is open all year round and features stunning views and experiences in different seasons. Are you going there to see the views during the hot summer or want to see the distant snow-capped mountains in winter? Do you plan to avoid the peak seasons at the park? Not all flights operate year-round, so you will need to factor this into your plans if traveling off season.
- Where are you staying? Are you staying in a hostel or inn? Looking for accommodation near the park can help you decide which airport to fly into.
- How much time do you have? Do you only have a short vacation or plan for a longer trip? You can choose a closer airport if you have limited time to travel.
- What’s your budget? Are you looking for budget flights? Which car rentals can give you the best deals? Flight prices and car rental rates vary with different airports.
- Do you have a frequent flyer program with a specific airline? Not all airlines fly into every airport, so if you want to get points with your favorite airline, this might limit which airports you can choose from.
- Where are you flying from? Are you choosing to fly through a charter service? Are you flying domestic or taking an international flight? You have several options if you’re going for connecting flights.
- What type of car do you want to rent when you arrive? Airports offer different car rental services. If you prefer a specific car rental agency, it’s best to check what’s available at the airport you’re going to fly into.
What Are The best Airports Near Arches National Park?
The airports closest to Arches National Park are:
- Canyonlands Regional Airport – Moab
- Grand Junction Regional Airport
- Cortez Municipal Airport
- Salt Lake City International Airport
- Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport
- Cedar City Regional Airport
- St George Regional Airport
- Denver International Airport
- Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport
Canyonlands Regional Airport – Moab (Canyonlands Field) (CNY)
Canyonlands Field is a small domestic airport located in the northwest part of Moab, providing aviation services to the town and other Southeastern areas of Utah. It’s technically the Arches National Park closest airport with commercial flights.
There are other attractions close to the airport that you can also visit while you’re in the area like Canyonlands National Park, the Colorado River, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Manti-La Sal National Forest. You can also try the helicopter, scenic, and charter services offered at this airport.
SkyWest Airlines under United and Delta Airlines have daily flights to and from Denver and Salt Lake City respectively.
From the airport, you can take a taxi or shuttle service to Moab if you want to lessen your driving time to the park. But you can also rent cars at the airport.
Location:
This regional commercial airport is located in Grand County, northwest of Moab.
Distance to Arches National Park:
14.2 miles
Travel time to Arches National Park:
22 minutes
What airlines fly out of Canyonlands Fields Airport? Which airports connect there?
- SkyWest Commuter Jets:
- Through United Express offers flights to Denver, Colorado
- Through Delta Connection have daily flights to Salt Lake City
Rental car options:
Onsite: Canyonlands Car Rental, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Alamo, National
Getting from Canyonlands Fields Airport to Arches National Park:
- Taxi and shuttle services are available to and from Moab, then rent a car to get to the park.
- Car rentals
- Bus Tours
Pros:
- It’s the Arches National Park nearest airport
- Connected to major airports like Salt Lake City and Denver International Airports
- Drive to other attractions like Canyonlands National Park, which is only around 30 minutes from Arches
- Scenic, charter, and helicopter services are available
- Open year-round
Cons:
- Limited flights options
- Few car rental service options
- Budget flights are not offered
- Flights are more expensive
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- When you are traveling to see other attractions like Canyonlands National Park
- If you have less time to travel
- If you’re flying from connecting flights from Denver or Salt Lake City
Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Another Arches National Park airport nearby you can fly to is Grand Junction Regional Airport. It’s the second nearest airport to Moab / Arches National Park with flights available on several airlines.
Flights flying into and from here include Allegiant, American Airlines, United, and Frontier. It’s easily accessible if you’re coming from major cities like Dallas, Phoenix, Santa Ana, and Las Vegas. They also offer seasonal flights from/ to Mesa and Los Angeles.
It takes around an hour and a half to reach Arches National Park. However, you can visit nearby attractions near Grand Junction like the Colorado National Monument on the way to make the most of your stay in the area.
Location:
The airport is located three miles northeast of Grand Junction in Mesa County.
Distance to Arches National Park:
110 miles
Travel time to Arches National Park:
1 hour 36 minutes
What airlines fly out of Grand Junction Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
- Allegiant: Santa Ana, Las Vegas, Mesa, AZ (seasonal flights from October to May)
- American Airlines: Dallas, Phoenix, Los Angeles (seasonal service)
- United Airlines: Denver
- Frontier
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Alamo, Avis, Enterprise, Hertz, National
Getting from Grand Junction Regional Airport to Arches National Park:
- Rental car
- Shuttle services, SUV and van services to Moab
- Taxis and limo services are offered within the Grand Junction area
Pros:
- Only takes about an hour and a half to reach Arches National Park
- Connecting flights to five major cities
- Offers flights year-round
- A good number of car rental options
Cons:
- More expensive flights
- No budget flights available
- Limited airline choices
- Flights to Mesa, Arizona and Los Angeles are seasonal only
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you’re coming from Mesa County and nearby areas
- Planning to visit the Grand Junction area or other sites like Colorado National Monument
Cortez Municipal Airport (CEZ)
Cortez Municipal Airport lies between Mesa Verde National Park and Ute Mountain, three miles southwest of Cortez. It’s not the nearest airport to Arches National Park, but it’s very convenient to Mesa Verde National Park, so if you’re planning to visit both parks, this is a good option. It’s more or less a two-hour drive to Arches National Park.
Boutique Air is the sole aircraft provider at the airport with commercial flights connected to Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport. So, getting to Arches is still convenient if you’re coming from these airports.
Location:
It’s located three miles from Cortez in Montezuma County
Distance to Arches National Park:
123 miles
Travel time to Arches National Park:
2 hours 10 minutes
What airlines fly out of Cortez Municipal Airport? Which airports connect to there?
- Boutique Air: commercial flights connected to Denver International Airport and Phoenix Sky-Harbor International Airport
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Enterprise
Getting from Cortez Municipal Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rental via Enterprise
Pros:
- Connecting flights to Denver and Phoenix
- Very convenient to Mesa Verde National Park if you’re visiting there on your trip to Arches
- Open all year
Cons:
- Limited operating hours
- Limited car rental service
- Long(ish) drive to Arches National Park
- There are no budget flights here
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- When you’re also planning to visit Mesa Verde National Park
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
Salt Lake City International Airport is your best choice if you’re coming from major US cities and international cities outside the country and you don’t want to connect to a small plane. It’s the closest international airport to Moab, Utah and Arches National Park.
From Salt Lake City, you can take a connecting flight via Delta to Canyonlands Fields or start an epic Utah road trip.
Flying to this airport is also a good option if you’re flying on a budget or getting points for frequent flyer programs from your airline. There’s no international airport near Arches National Park but Salt Lake City International Airport is the closest major airport to Moab, Utah so there are plenty of airline options to choose from.
If you’re also checking out the city or staying there before or after your visit Arches, flying here would be the most convenient for you.
Location:
It’s located near Interstate 80 just six miles from Salt Lake City.
Distance of Salt Lake City to Arches National Park/Moab:
235 miles
Travel time from Salt Lake City – Arches National Park:
It takes about 3 hours 45 minutes to travel from Salt Lake City to Arches National Park
What airlines fly out of Salt Lake City International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
Salt Lake International Airport has connecting flights to Canyonlands Field via Delta Airlines. Other airlines that fly out of this airport include:
- Aeromexico: Mexico City
- Air Canada: Montreal, Toronto
- Alaska Airlines: Seattle/Tacoma, Portland OR, San Diego
- American Airlines: Charlotte, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Chicago-O`Hare
- Delta Airlines: multiple cities around the US
- Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt
- Frontier Airlines: Denver
- JetBlue Airways: Boston, New York- JFK
- Spirit Airlines: Orlando
- Southwest Airlines: Las Vegas, Denver, Chicago-Midway, Phoenix, San Jose (CA), Orange County, Dallas-Love Field
- United Airlines: Denver, Newark, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston-Bush
Rental car options:
- Onsite (Gateway Center): Avis, Alamo, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Payless, Thrifty
- Offsite: ACE Rent-A-Car, Affordable, Fox Rent-A-Car, Go Rentals, NU Car Rentals, Rugged Rental
Getting from Salt Lake City Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rentals and shuttle buses are available from Salt Lake to Arches National Park / Moab
- Connecting flight to Canyonlands Fields, then take a rental car
Pros:
- The closest major airport to Moab
- More flight domestic and international flight options
- Budget airlines are available
- Plenty of options for car rental companies
- Can include Salt Lake City as part of your travel itinerary
Cons:
- Long drive if you choose to take a car rental from the airport
- You only have one flight option to fly to Moab ‘s nearest airport
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you’re flying to and from major US cities and you don’t want to take a smaller plane
- If you’re including Arches National Park on a national park road trip around Utah’s ‘Big Five’
- Want to see Salt Lake City
- Have a particular airline that you prefer to fly with that doesn’t have flights to the closer but smaller regional airports
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC)
Gunnison-Crested Butte Airport is a domestic airport with connecting flights to major airline hubs in the country. United Airlines offers daily flights to Denver year-round. Seasonal flights are also available to/from Houston on United Airlines and Dallas/Ft. Worth on American Airlines during the winter season, usually available from December to April.
It will take you four hours to drive to Arches National Park, making it ideal for a road trip through Colorado that includes the wonderful Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. There are some car rental services available and airport transfers provided by Alpine Express.
Location:
It’s located in the City of Gunnison, 28 miles from Crested Butte.
Distance to Arches National Park:
231 miles
Travel time to Arches National Park:
4 hours
What airlines fly out of Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
- United Airlines: Denver; Houston (seasonal)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Ft. Worth (seasonal)
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Alpenglow Rentals, Hertz, Avis, Budget
Getting from Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rental services are available
- Taxis plus Shuttle Bus, then take a car rental
Pros:
- An alternative to getting to Arches if you’re flying from Denver
- You can earn miles for United Airlines’ frequent flyer program
- It’s close to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, so is convenient if you’re also visiting that national park on your trip to Arches National Park
Cons:
- Limited airline options
- Seasonal and limited flights to Houston and Dallas/Ft. Worth
- Long drive to the park
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you’re including a road trip through Colorado on your visit to Arches National Park
Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC)
If you plan to have a longer trip and want to head out to other parks like Bryce Canyon, flying into Cedar City Regional Airport is a good option for you. The regional airport serves Delta Airlines with daily domestic flights to/ from Salt Lake City, so it’s also convenient if you’re coming from the city or areas nearby.
It’s a four-hour drive to get to Arches National Airport from Cedar City Regional, but there are places to break your journey along the way as part of a longer road trip.
Location:
It’s located two miles northwest of Cedar City, Iron County.
Distance from Cedar City to Arches National Park:
285 miles
Travel time to Arches National Park:
4 hours
What airlines fly out of Cedar City Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
- Delta (operated by Sky West): Commercial daily flights to Salt Lake City International Airport
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Onsite: Avis/Budget, Enterprise
- Offsite: Enterprise
Getting from Cedar City Regional Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rentals
Pros:
- Visit nearby Bryce Canyon National Park
- Open all year
Cons:
- Longer drive to the park
- Limited flight options
- Connecting flights are limited to Salt Lake City
- Flights can be more expensive
- Budget flights are not offered
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you’ll also visit other parks like Bryce Canyon National Park
St. George Regional Airport (SGU)
St. George Regional Airport may not be the closest airport to Arches National Park but if you plan to include Zion National Park in your itinerary, flying here is a good choice. This regional airport has daily connecting flights on Delta Airlines, American Airlines, United, and Allegiant Airlines. They also offer charter services.
You can rent a car from the airport and drive to Arches National Park, which will take you almost five hours. This may look like a long drive but using St. George if you’re also visiting Zion can be a convenient option.
Location:
The airport is owned by the City of St. George and lies in the city’s central area in Washington County.
Distance from St George, Utah to Arches National Park:
341 miles
Travel time from St George to Arches National Park:
4 hours 50 minutes
What airlines fly out of St George Regional Airport? Which airports connect to there?
- Delta: Salt Lake City
- American Airlines: Phoenix, Dallas
- United: Denver, Los Angeles
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz
Getting from St George Regional Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rentals
Pros:
- Convenient for Zion National Park
- Direct and connecting flights to major cities like Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Phoenix.
Cons:
- Long driving hours to the park
- Car rental options are limited
- Flights are limited and more expensive
- Budget airlines are not offered
- International flights are not available
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you plan to visit other parks like Zion National Park
- If you have a longer time to travel
Denver International Airport (DEN)
You’ll have plenty of flight options to fly from/ to Denver International Airport. Whether you’re traveling domestic or international, this airport offers convenient trips and budget flights. You can also check on your preferred airline to get points for miles.
You’ll also have plenty of car rental options onsite and charter buses and shuttles to various locations in Colorado and nearby states. Taxis, limo services, and public services can take you around the city if you have a layover here.
If you want to save some travel time, you can fly from Denver International Airport to Canyonland Fields Airport, which usually takes about an hour and a half.
You can also get a rental car and drive to the park, especially if you’re planning to drop by some city attractions along the way like Boulder, Aspen, and Glenwood Springs and take in the beauty of Colorado and Utah along the way. The most common route is taking I-70 west, then getting to Exit 182 on US-191 south towards Moab. From there, you’re on to the last stretch to the park.
Location:
This airport is located on Denver’s Peña Boulevard.
Distance from Denver to Arches National Park:
373 miles
Travel time from Denver, CO to Arches National Park:
5 hours 45 minutes
What airlines fly from Denver, Colorado to Arches National Park? Which airports connect to there?
Multiple flights, both domestic and international services, fly to and from major airports.
Rental car options:
- Onsite: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Fox, Hertz, National, Payless, Sixt, Thrifty Car Rental
Getting from Denver Airport to Arches National Park:
- Car rentals
- Shuttle and charter buses
- Flight to Canyonlands Field in Moab and drive a rental car to the park
Pros:
- Plenty of airline choices. Both domestic and international flights are available
- Budget flights are offered here
- Plenty of car rental companies to choose from
- Stop by other city attractions along the way like Golden, Boulder, and Aspen.
Cons:
- Long drive to Arches National Park
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you want many options for flights and car rentals
- If you’re planning to visit other places in Colorado and Utah
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
Choosing flights from international airports like Las Vegas’ Harry Reid Airport can offer you lots of travel benefits. Since this airport offers multiple flights, you can choose the best airline for you. You can get flights with good rates and have easy and convenient access to connecting flights. There are also several car rental agencies to choose from.
If you’re taking this route from Harry Reid, you can easily visit other parks like Zion National Park, Grand Canyon’s North and/ or South Rim, and Page along the way. And, of course, you can stop at Las Vegas before or after your trip to Arches.
Another option is taking a connecting flight to Grand Junction, ride a shuttle to Moab, and take a car rental for the rest of the trip.
Location:
The airport is located in Paradise in the outer Las Vegas Valley area.
Distance Las Vegas to Arches National Park:
460 miles
Travel time Las Vegas – Arches National Park:
6 hours 40 minutes
What airlines fly out of Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport? Which airports connect to there?
Harry Reid International Airport Las Vegas offers multiple domestic and international airlines with connecting flights to major airports around the country and internationally.
Rental car options:
- Onsite (Rent-A-Car Center): Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Sixt, Payless, Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, National
Getting from Las Vegas, NV to Arches National Park:
- Car rental services
- Fly to Grand Junction, take a shuttle to Moab, and drive to the park
Pros:
- Options for cheaper and budget flights
- More car rental services to choose from
- Stop by other attractions like Grand Canyon North and South Rims and Page
- Check out Las Vegas
Cons:
- A longer trip to the park
This is the best airport for Arches National Park …
- If you plan to visit other national and state park attractions and/or Las Vegas.
- If you have more time to travel
FAQs About the Best Arches National Park Airport
Which is the airport closest to Arches National Park?
The airport closest to Arches National Park is Canyonlands Field. It’s a domestic airport in Moab with connecting flights from Denver and Salt Lake City.
Where do you fly in to get to Arches National Park?
You can fly into regional airports like Canyonlands Field or Grand Junction Airport, which are the nearest to Arches National Park based on proximity.
What airport do you fly into to go to Moab?
The airport at Moab is called Canyonlands Regional Airport (Canyonland Fields). Larger airports that have connecting flights to Moab are Salt Lake City International Airport and Denver International Airport.
How far is Moab from airport?
Canyonlands Field is 30 miles from Moab so it’s very convenient to fly there going to Arches National Park.
Map of Airports Near Arches National Park
Travel Insurance for Arches National Park
A final thought. When you’re flying to Arches National Park, consider getting travel insurance too. Make sure it includes trip cancellation, in case you need to cancel your flight before your travel, so that you can get a refund.
A great insurance option is Travelex. It has coverage for all you’ll need. You can swap this link for either choose the best travel insurance plan for your trip here or get a quote right now:
Have a great trip to Arches National Park! I hope this guide has helped you decide how to fly to Arches National Park.
You Might Also Like:
- Arches National Park Itineraries
- How to Get to Arches National Park
- Arches National Park Guide
- Best Hikes in Arches National Park
- Devil’s Garden Trail Guide
- How to Navigate the Timed Entry System at Arches National Park
- The Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
- Vacation Rentals Near Arches National Park
- Best Books About Arches National Park
- 7 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Trip to Arches National Park
- How many days in Arches National Park do you need?
- 12 Fun Facts About Arches National Park
Which of the airports near Moab, Utah did you choose? I’d love to know. 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).
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Closest Airports To Arches National Park
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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 all of the main 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 most of the major national parks in the US. These itineraries, as well as in-depth park guides, comprehensive camping and hiking gear reviews and buying guides, and helpful packing lists and gift guides 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 Time Business News, Savoteur, Best Trip, and Wired.
Parks Collecting is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
