Arches National Park with Kids: Ultimate Guide for Your Visit
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Is Arches National Park a good place to take kids? YES!
Arches is one of the most family-friendly national parks I’ve visited.
With its stunning natural arches, short and doable hikes, and plenty of kid-approved stops, it’s a perfect destination for families who want adventure without overwhelming their little ones.
In this guide, I’ll reveal to you everything you need to know about visiting Arches National Park with kids—including how to get there, where to stay, the best kid-friendly hikes, and my top tips to make your trip smooth and memorable.
Getting to Arches National Park
The two closest airports to Arches National Park are:
- Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT): 109 miles away (about 1 hour 40 minutes).
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC): About 230 miles away (roughly 4 hours).
We chose to fly into Grand Junction, rent a car, and make the scenic drive to Moab. It was easy, beautiful, and a perfect way to start our trip.
Where to Stay with Kids
We stayed at the Springhill Suites by Marriott Moab—and it was AWESOME for families! Here’s why:
- Amazing Pool Area: Two pools + three hot tubs = happy kids and relaxed parents.
- Free Breakfast: Saves time and money (two things every parent values on vacation).
- Family Suites: Larger rooms that sleep up to six, with bunk beds in some!
- Perfect Location: Just five minutes to Arches and super close to downtown Moab.
Pro tip: Book early, especially during peak travel seasons, as Moab hotels fill quickly.
Where We Stayed: SpringHill Suites Moab
Doable and worth it for families—two pools + three hot tubs, free breakfast, bunk-bed suites, and a 5-minute drive to Arches.
- Family suites sleep up to six (some with bunks)
- Huge pool area (2 pools, 3 hot tubs)
- Free breakfast to save time + money
- 5 minutes to Arches, close to downtown Moab
Heads up: If you book through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my family travel resources!
Best Time to Visit with Kids
The most comfortable months to visit Arches are April–May and mid-September–October.
We went over Memorial Day weekend, and the weather was phenomenal—cool mornings (sweatshirt weather) and perfect hiking temps during the day.
Summers can be very hot, so plan for early mornings or evenings if you’re visiting in July or August.
What to Pack for Arches National Park with Kids
Packing smart makes your visit to Arches National Park so much easier.
The desert sun and dry climate can be tough on kids (and adults), so being prepared and having the right gear keeps everyone comfortable (and keeps the trip doable for mom!).
Here are the essentials I recommend:
- Plenty of water – Bring refillable water bottles for each family member. There’s no water available on the trails.
- Snacks + easy meals – Pack protein bars, trail mix, fruit pouches, or sandwiches. Food isn’t sold in the park, so what you bring in is what you’ll have.
- Sunscreen + hats – The sun can be intense even in cooler months, and shade is limited.
- Sturdy shoes – Closed-toe shoes or lightweight hiking shoes are best for rocky trails.
- Baby/toddler hiking carrier – A lifesaver if you’re traveling with little ones who can’t handle longer walks.
- Daypack – To carry snacks, water, sunscreen, and extra layers.
- Cooling towels – Perfect for hot afternoons on the trail.
- National Parks Pass – If you’re visiting more than two national parks in a year, the America the Beautiful pass pays for itself.
💡 If you don’t want to overthink it, here are my tried-and-true family hiking essentials that we actually use and love. They’ve made our Arches trip (and plenty of others) so much easier with kids!
My Tried-and-True Family Hiking Essentials
Want to skip the guesswork? These are the items I personally recommend for making Arches doable (and way more fun!) with kids:
- Kids’ refillable water bottles – no one wants cranky, dehydrated kids on the trail.
- Hiking baby carrier – a game-changer if your little one can’t handle longer hikes.
- Lightweight family daypack – to keep snacks, sunscreen, and layers handy.
- Cooling towels – perfect for those warm desert afternoons.
Note: If you purchase through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my family travel resources!
Best Sights to See in Arches National Park with Kids
Here are the top kid-friendly stops and hikes we loved in the park:
Arches Visitor Center
Always a family favorite!
The exhibits are interactive, and it’s a fun stop for souvenirs.
I usually recommend doing visitor centers first—but at Arches, the crowds and parking fill up fast.
Your best bet is to head straight to the popular hikes early, then circle back to the visitor center later in the day (as long as you won’t miss closing time—check hours before you go!).
Park Avenue Viewpoint
Close to the entrance and absolutely stunning at sunset!
We stopped here our first evening with just 30 minutes before dark—perfect for a quick but memorable view.
💡 Expert Tip: Stay nearby in Moab and enter the park after 4 PM when timed entry tickets aren’t required. This is a great way to see Park Avenue Viewpoint with fewer crowds.
Balanced Rock
An easy 0.3-mile loop (stroller-friendly) that gives kids a chance to stretch their legs and is a pretty cool sight too!
The Windows Section
A 1-mile loop where you’ll see North and South Windows plus Turret Arch. Super easy and fun for kids!
Double Arch
Right next to the Windows Section, with the same parking lot. Only 0.5 miles round trip and one of our favorites.
Delicate Arch
The park’s most famous landmark. You can:
- Hike to the Upper Viewpoint (0.5 miles with stairs) for a family-friendly glimpse.
- Or tackle the full 3-mile hike if your kids are older. I hiked this with my sister while my husband hung back at the hotel with our younger kids—it’s doable but definitely a workout. Fun fact: I did this hike while 20 weeks pregnant! It took us well over an hour each way at a steady pace, so plan plenty of time and bring lots of water.
- Takes about 2-3 hours
Sand Dune Arch
Hands-down the kids’ favorite! A short 0.3-mile trail leads to a sandy play area where kids can dig, run, and even use sand toys.
Landscape Arch
Located in the Devils Garden area, this is the longest arch in North America.
The 1.6-mile round trip trail is very manageable with kids and worth the walk.
Top Tips for Visiting Arches National Park with Kids
- Give yourself 2–3 days if you can. Shorter hikes spaced out over a few days help keep kids happy.
- Drive past busy parking lots. Circle back later in the day when crowds thin out.
- Reserve your timed entry early. From April–October, you’ll need one to enter between 7 AM–4 PM. Book 3 months in advance.
- Look for cairns. These rock piles mark trails, and kids love spotting them. Just remind them not to move them.
- Bring snacks and plenty of water. The desert heat and dry air make it easy to get dehydrated, and snacks keep kids fueled for hikes.
- Take the Scenic Drive. Even if you’re short on time, the 36-mile drive with pullouts gives you a chance to see the park’s highlights.
FAQs About Visiting Arches National Park with Kids
How many days do you need in Arches with kids?
Two to three days is ideal if possible. This gives you time to do the shorter hikes without cramming everything into one day.
It also lets you spread out your time in the park—exploring in the mornings or evenings when it’s cooler and less crowded plus do some other fun things in Moab too!
Can toddlers do Arches hikes?
Yes—some! Easy trails like Balanced Rock (0.3 miles), Double Arch (0.5 miles), and Sand Dune Arch (0.3 miles) are toddler-friendly.
Sand Dune Arch especially so fun for the little ones since they can play in the sand.
For longer hikes, I recommend using a hiking baby carrier!
What’s the easiest hike in Arches National Park?
Balanced Rock is the easiest—it’s short, flat, and even stroller-friendly.
The Windows Section is another good option with rewarding views for minimal effort.
Is Arches stroller-friendly?
A few trails are stroller-friendly, like Balanced Rock and parts of the Double Arch path.
But most hikes have sand, stairs, or uneven terrain, which makes strollers tough to use.
I recommend a hiking baby carrier if you’re bringing little ones who can’t walk far.
What’s the best time of day to visit with kids?
Early mornings or evenings are best. Not only do you beat the heat, but you also avoid the biggest crowds and parking headaches. Plus, the lighting on the arches is gorgeous during those times.
Final Thoughts on Visiting Arches National Park with Kids
Arches National Park is one of the best national parks to visit with kids.
From short, family-friendly hikes like Sand Dune Arch and Balanced Rock to iconic sights such as Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch, it’s a park that’s both doable and worth it for families.
With a little planning—snacks, water, and a flexible game plan—you’ll create the kind of trip your kids will remember for years.
If you’re short on time, check out my guide to Arches National Park in One Day for a detailed plan to hit the highlights.
And if you’re exploring the area longer, don’t miss my post on the Top Things to Do in Moab with Kids for even more family-friendly adventures nearby.
👉 To make planning even easier, grab my free Travel Itinerary Planner! It’s designed to help busy moms map out their trips, keep track of must-do stops, and feel prepared instead of overwhelmed.
May you LOVE your adventure! KW
