Top 6 places in Arches National Park for Sunset

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, watching the sunset in Arches National Park is a must. The park is home to some of the most picturesque landscapes in the world, and there’s no better way to take it all in than during a golden hour sunset.

There are plenty of great places to watch the sunset in Arches National Park, but here are six of our favorites.

Places to find the Best Sunset in Arches National Park

1. Balanced Rock

The sun slowly dips below the horizon, painting the sky in a spectrum of oranges, pinks, and purples.

As you watch, the rocks around you come to life, illuminated by the last rays of light. It’s an unforgettable experience, one that can be enjoyed at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, watching the sunset at Balanced Rock is a must.

The best part of watching the sunset at Balanced Rock is that there is no hiking necessary. There’s a small parking area at the trailhead, so it’s best to arrive early if you want a good spot.

2. Fiery Furnace

Places like Balanced Rock and The Windows Section offer great views without requiring any strenuous hiking. But if you’re looking for something even more spectacular, head to Fiery Furnace.

This area of the park is only accessible with a permit, and it’s recommended that you only attempt it with an experienced guide. But if you’re up for the challenge, the views from Fiery Furnace are unmatched.

3. Broken Arch

If you’re looking for a great place to watch the sunset in Arches National Park, Broken Arch is definitely worth checking out. The view is simply stunning, and there’s something about the setting sun that just makes you feel all of the feels.

Broken Arch is located in a really beautiful part of the park, and it’s definitely one of the most popular spots for watching the sunset. The arch itself is impressive, and it’s surrounded by some amazing rock formations. It’s definitely worth taking a few minutes to soak up the scenery and enjoy the peace and quiet.

When the sun starts to drop below the horizon, the colors are absolutely incredible. Watching the sky turn from orange to red to purple is an experience that you’ll never forget. If you have a chance, make sure to visit Broken Arch at sunset – it’s definitely worth it!

4. Park Avenue

It’s a given that when you travel to Arches National Park, you’ll be blown away by the natural sandstone arches and rock formations. But what about the view from Park Avenue? As the sun starts to set, the rocks turn a deep red and orange, providing a breathtaking backdrop for one of nature’s most amazing shows.

If you’re looking for a place to watch the sunset, Park Avenue is the perfect spot. From here, you can see some of the most popular arches in the park, as well as enjoy a front-row seat to one of nature’s most incredible light shows.

5. North Windows

The North Windows in Arches National Park offer a unique perspective on the world-famous Turret Arch.

As the sun sets, the rocks turn a deep red and orange, providing a breathtaking backdrop for one of nature’s most amazing shows.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, watching the sunset through the North Windows is a must.

6. Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is one of the most popular destinations in Arches National Park, and for good reason. It offers an amazing view of the park, and the sunset is definitely a sight to behold.

Delicate Arch is beautiful for sunrise too, but you’ll find sunset is the most popular time to visit this iconic Arch.

When the sun starts to set, the colors are absolutely incredible. The way the light hits the rocks makes for a truly unique experience.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even stay after sunset to stargaze. Just be prepared for the hike back in the dark!

What time should you get to Arches National Park for sunset?

You can check sunset times for Arches National Park on this website.

You’ll want to arrive early for sunset to get a good spot, especially if you are planning on watching the sunset at Delicate Arch or Balanced Rock.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to hike to Delicate Arch, so take into account your hiking time too. The trail to Delicate Arch is 1.5 miles and takes just about an hour.

What to Bring to Sunset in Arches

The temperature can change dramatically after the sun goes down, so you will want to be prepared with layered clothing and maybe even a blanket if you plan on staying for a while to stargaze.

Make sure you bring plenty of water, and a few snacks too!

If you will be hiking back to your vehicle after sunset, remember to bring a headlamp or flashlight to see the trail on the way back. Having a headlamp with a red light is a good option to use while stargazing because the red light won’t affect your eyes while adjusting to the darkness.

Sunset at Arches FAQs

Is Delicate Arch better at sunrise or sunset?

I personally like sunrise, because it is less busy. You can read more about this topic in my post on Arches at Sunrise.

Where is the best place to see the sunset in Moab?

Some of the most popular options are Mesa Arch in Canyonlands, Horseshoe bend in Dead Horse State Park, and Delicate Arch in Arches National Park.

Can you go into Arches National Park after dark?

You can enter Arches National Park 24 hours a day!

During the busy season, you will need a timed entry permit up until 6 pm. You can get your permit on Recreation.gov.

Always go to the NPS site to see if there are any restrictions prior to visiting.

What to do in Arches

Arches National Park is a great place to explore! The roads are easy to navigate and there are plenty of things to see and do. I recommend you go in with a plan, so you can make the most of your time in the park and hit all of your must-see locations. Driving through Arches National Park is one of the most scenic National Park drives.

✅ Book your Arches National Park Private Full-Day Tour and Hiking Experience here!

There is also great hiking in Arches, with most hikes being short and relatively easy.

The most popular spots in Arches are:

• – Balanced Rock
• – Delicate Arch
• – North Windows
• – Park Avenue
• Landscape Arch

GyPSy is my favorite way to explore new National Parks. This self-driving audio tour tells you a bit about the area’s history and draws out the best places to visit (with accurate directions).

What I love most about this guide is that it doesn’t rely on cell service—so if you’re driving through nature, you can still access it.

You can also start and stop whenever without interrupting your progress. GyPSy will absolutely upgrade your experience in Arches National Park

✅ Click Here to get GyPSy Guide for Arches National Park

Fee for Entering Arches National Park

The fee to enter Arches National Park is $30 for private vehicles and $25 for motorcycles. Between April and October, there is a $2 timed entry fee, and you need a reservation. The fee allows entry for 7 days.

I highly suggest purchasing an America The Beautiful Pass if you plan on visiting more than one National Park property this year. The fee is $80 and is good for one year. This will almost pay for itself if you plan on visiting Canyonlands and Arches National Park during your time in Moab.

Where to Stay Near Arches National Park

There are a few different options for places to stay near Arches National Park. If you’re looking for a hotel or motel, there are a few options in Moab, which is about 10 miles from the park. There are also a few campgrounds near the park, which offer RV and tent camping.

There is only one campground inside Arches National Park. The Devils Garden Campground fills up extremely quickly and can (and should) be booked 6 months in advance. You can make your Arches Camping reservations by clicking here.

There are also other campgrounds in the Moab area if Devils Garden is full. Staying outside the park is a great option if you planning on visiting other area attractions such as Canyonlands National Park.

I’m going to let you in on my secret weapon for finding the absolute BEST campgrounds, wherever we travel… I use The Dyrt. The Dyrt is such a great resource for finding the best campsites, and glamping sites anywhere you travel. You can even find free dispersed camping on the Dyrt. You should definitely add The Dyrt to your arsenal of travel planning resources!

When looking at options for where to stay in Moab you will find everything from luxury glamping, such as Under Canvas Moab, to free primitive sites with no amenities. There truly is an option for everyone when looking for accommodations near Arches National Park.

If you don’t want to tent camp, you might consider renting a camper van for your journey through the Arches National Park. Renting a caravan and living “van life” for a few days is an excellent way to enhance your trip while exploring Southern Utah’s picturesque region.

✅Check prices on driving a Campervan to Arches

You can pick up your campervan from Salt Lake, Las Vegas, or even Denver, and then road trip to Moab to explore the park!

If camping isn’t your thing, that’s OK! There are also hotel and VRBO options in Moab if you don’t want to stay in a campground. Because Moab is not a large city, early reservations are recommended.

✅Check availability on great VRBO options
OR
✅Check for hotels near Arches National Park

Conclusion: Arches National Park Sunset

When the sun begins to set, the colors of the rocks become even more vibrant. The changing light casts a warm glow over the landscape and creates an unforgettable experience.

As you watch the sun dip below the horizon, take time to reflect on all that you’ve seen in Arches National Park. This is a perfect way to end a day of exploration in one of America’s most beautiful places.