Beat the Summer Heat in Arches National Park

North Window

Summer is in full swing and the temperatures are here to prove it, with a forecast of 104 (f) in Moab this weekend. It’s also the busiest time of the year for Arches National Park, with vacationers coming from all over to witness the beautiful scenery offered in the area. Luckily, the park has plenty of views which can either be seen from your car or with a short walk, and there are also plenty of hikes that are short enough for most to brave with the sun beating down. Despite the high temps, Arches is still enjoyable in the summer, just follow these tips to beat the heat.

Go at the right time of day
Of course, your best bet to beat the heat is to start early in the day, when it’s coolest. Many people are surprised to know that you can see the majority of the popular sites within the park in 3-4 hours, so with an early start you could be done by 9:00am, escaping much of the day’s scorching rays. If you and your crew can wake up early enough to get in the park before 6:00am, you’ll also have additional benefits aside from cooler temperatures. First, you won’t need to worry about securing a timed reservation for entering the park, since they are only required between 6:00am and 5:00pm. You can find details about the timed reservation system here, and also tips for getting one at the last minute here for if you do plan on entering during that time. The other pluses are you’ll avoid the worst of the crowds, and you’ll be in the park around one of the best times for photographs, sunrise!

I would avoid the park between 11:00am and 5:00pm in the summer if possible. Would you survive? Probably. Would you be sweaty and uncomfortable most of the time? Probably. Unless of course you decide to just drive through the park without leaving your car to stay in the comfort of the air conditioned vehicle while snapping photos out the window, but that’s no fun, is it? So if you couldn’t get yourself out of bed early, come in the evening. You’ll be able to witness a beautiful Arches sunset, and while it will likely still be plenty warm, at least you avoided the worst of it during the middle part of the day. And, once again, you won’t need a timed entry reservation if entering the park after 5:00pm.

Sand Dune Arch

Go to the right places
If you want to do one of the longer hikes, definitely get that out of the way first thing in the morning. On days that are supposed to get over 100, it could be hitting 85 by 9:00am. There are 3 popular hikes I’d consider “longer”: Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden, and Park Avenue. Of course any hike could be done at any part of the day, but I would advise extreme caution and plenty of planning if you are going to do any of those during the hotter parts. The other popular hikes in the park are easier to brave throughout the day. If you’re looking for a good hike to do when it is hot, Sand Dune arch is a great one. Not only is it a short hike, but for plenty of it you’re in between rock fins which create a narrow and shaded “canyon” for the entire day, save for when the sun is directly overhead. Double Arch is another short one, and once at the arches you can usually find some good shade. Also consider taking a rest at Panorama Point, or the Devil’s Garden picnic area, both of which have shaded areas.

Double Arch

Be Prepared and be Smart
Know what you are getting yourself into before embarking on any hike, and know yourself and your hiking abilities. Regardless of the hike distance, be ready to deal with the heat. It’s a good idea to bring more water than you think you’ll need - you’ll be ok with the extra weight in your bag, but you may not be ok if you run out of water on the trail on a scorching summer day. Sunscreen and hats are friends, as well as shade. If you get a headache or start feeling dizzy or nauseous, find the nearest juniper tree for a rest instead of pushing yourself. Be smart if you’re visiting Arches National Park in the summer and the heat won’t be able to stop from enjoying all the magnificent views Arches National Park has to share with you! If you have any Arches summer tips or questions feel free to add a comment.