Arches vs Canyonlands: Insider’s Guide to Seeing Both Parks

Planning a trip to Moab? You’ve already hit the biggest question: Arches vs. Canyonlands? For busy travelers, this isn’t about skipping one—it’s about making a smart time investment.

Our verdict is clear: Prioritize Arches for its iconic, must-see landmarks and family-friendly access. But don’t skip Canyonlands National Park. Carve out at least a half-day for its quieter, jaw-dropping vistas. This guide shows you how to balance your days and make the most of both parks, straight from our travel insider playbook.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like tour links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and end up booking. That said, we would never recommend something we don’t stand behind 100%. 

Arches vs. Canyonlands: Where to Spend Your Time

Use this quick summary to decide how to allocate your vacation days between Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park in Utah, and where to focus your energy.

Choose Arches If… (Your Priority)	Choose Canyonlands If… (Your Adventure)
You are a first-time visitor to Moab and want to see the essential, world-famous landmarks.	You are seeking solitude and a quieter experience with fewer crowds.
You have limited time (1-2 full days) and need the biggest iconic payoff.	You want vast, panoramic landscape photography featuring canyons and mesas.
You are traveling with young children and need accessible, shorter hikes.	You want to bundle your visit with Dead Horse Point State Park easily.
You need the closest, most convenient park to downtown Moab, and a more family-friendly 4×4 adventure.	You are looking for challenging backpacking trails or 4×4 adventures (White Rim Road).

Our Itinerary Suggestion: We recommend a 3-Day minimum for the area. Our trip focused on Arches (Day 1 & Day 3) and Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky (Day 2). If we go back, we would definitely add a Day 4 dedicated to the unique and rugged Needles district of Canyonlands.

Related: Montrose to Moab, Utah: Gateway to Arches and Black Canyon

Arches National Park: Iconic Hikes and Geological Wonders

Our Take: This national park is the essential Moab experience. Arches National Park is famous for its dramatic sandstone formations and accessible, shorter trails. Time Needed: 2–3 full days is ideal to see the major formations truly.

Key Highlights and Access:

• Top Highlight: Delicate Arch. The ~3-mile round-trip trail offers a breathtaking payoff. We’ve completed this with four young kids in tow—it’s memorable and worth the effort.
• Family-Friendly Trails: Double Arch (easily accessible) and the Windows Section (short, flat trails) are perfect for all ages. Also, check out Sand Dune Arch, a quick, unique stop where the arch sits over soft sand.
• Backcountry Experience: For an extremely unique and difficult experience, consider getting a permit for the Fiery Furnace hike.
• Geology: The arches are formed from the erosion of sandstone layers, carved by water, ice, and wind over millions of years.

Lodging Recommendation for Moab: Red Cliffs Lodge

Our ultimate goal, the highlight of all highlights, was always Delicate Arch. While the round-trip trail from the parking lot here isn’t a quick stop—it’s a strenuous, continuous climb up slickrock—the experience and the sheer anticipation are all worth it. The moment you see it is pure magic; this is, without a doubt, our favorite arch in all of Utah. In our opinion, anyone who can handle a gentle incline can complete this hike.

Insider Tip: Right before the final approach to the arch, there is a true hidden gem. Look for a window through the rock wall to your right. If you scale this section (we recommend good hiking shoes, but our whole group did it safely), you get a breathtaking, unique view that perfectly frames Delicate Arch. Don’t miss this perspective!

Another of our favorite reasons to visit Arches National Park is the magnificent Devil’s Garden section. By parking at this trailhead here, you can easily spend a full half-day (or more!) exploring the connecting trails, including the Primitive Trail, to reach the park’s furthest formations. This is where you escape the crowds. The Landscape Arch is the first arch you will see on your hike from the Devil’s Garden Trailhead.

The Devil’s Garden trails do get progressively more challenging, especially once you push past Landscape Arch toward Double O Arch. Be sure to wear proper footwear and pack plenty of water for this extended trek. Along this route, watch for signs for the short, rewarding detours to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch—these are easy, short add-on arches well worth the extra steps.

We deliberately skipped the Park Avenue viewpoint near the main entrance, opting to drive straight to the Devil’s Garden Trailhead. It was the perfect strategy to maximize our time enjoying the rugged trails and getting away from the worst of the congestion.

Essential Logistics for Arches:

• Entry Requirement: You must have a National Parks Pass AND a timed entry pass during peak hours. Plan this well in advance. (Insider Tip: You can edit your timed entry online if plans change.)
• Crowds: Expect high crowds, especially midday. Start hiking early.

Psst: Arches reminds us of the red rocks of Sedona: Perfect Sedona 3 Day Itinerary

Canyonlands National Park: Expansive Views and Remote Adventure

Our Take: A vast, tranquil contrast to Arches. Canyonlands National Park offers sweeping canyons, high-desert vistas, and a more remote feel. Time Needed: Half to a full day is sufficient for the Island in the Sky district.

Key Districts and Features:

• Island in the Sky (The Easy Choice): This is the area closest to Moab and is perfect for families and half-day trips. Don’t miss the sunrise at Mesa Arch (our favorite stop) and the views from Green River Overlook. You can also drive to the well-known Grand View Point.
• The Needles (The Adventure Choice): A longer 1.5-hour drive from Moab, offering rugged trails, needle-like formations, and excellent backpacking opportunities. This section is worth a dedicated full day.
• The Maze (The Expert Choice): Remote and challenging, only recommended for experienced hikers and long-stay trips.
• The Rivers: Not technically a district, but notable nonetheless. River floats are here for our adventurers, and most include at least a night of camping.
• Logistics Win: Canyonlands does not require a timed entry pass.

The single most rewarding short hike in the entire Island in the Sky district is the path to Mesa Arch. It’s an easy, short stroll from the trailhead that delivers an absolutely stunning payoff. The view of the arch framing the immense canyon is one of the most iconic sights in the American Southwest—a true must-see!

The sheer scale of Canyonlands is breathtaking, but many of the viewpoint stops can feel similar after a while. We recommend prioritizing stops like the Green River Overlook (here), which offers a dramatic perspective of the canyon and the winding river below.

We did make it to the Grand View Point Overlook, but here’s our insider opinion: since it’s located at the farthest tip of the park, you can save valuable drive time by skipping it. Instead, we highly recommend reallocating that time to visit Dead Horse Point State Park (more on this below). It provides a world-class, unmissable vista just outside the Canyonlands entrance.

Insider Tip: Pair Canyonlands with Dead Horse Point

• Don’t Miss: Dead Horse Point State Park is right next to the Island in the Sky entrance. Easy trails and jaw-dropping views over the canyon are the perfect addition to a half-day trip here.

Visitation Tips for Canyonlands National Park

Visitor Center Tip: The Island in the Sky Visitor Center, located here, has bathrooms, water fountains, and a gift shop. Cross the street to the overlook for a 360-degree view of the canyon, perfect for family photos.

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Visit our travel insider resources if you want easy and effortless travel overall.

Easy to Breezy 3-Day Moab Itinerary: Balancing Arches with Canyonlands

The parks’ geographic organization makes visiting both logistically smooth if you base yourself in Moab. We recommend 3 days or more to cover the highlights of both Utah National Parks. Your answer to “Arches vs Canyonlands?” could be doing both (as it was for us).

Day	Destination	Focus & Activities
Day 1	Arches National Park	Focus: Iconic arches and the scenic drive. Use your Timed Entry Pass to see Delicate Arch (hike early!). Time permitting, add in the Double Arch, Sand Dune Arch, and the Windows Section.
Day 2	Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) & Moab	Focus: Vistas and adventure. Start with a sunrise at Mesa Arch, visit Dead Horse Point, and return to Moab for lunch. Evening: Book a family-friendly Moab off-roading tour or sunset adventure.
Day 3	Arches National Park	Focus: Longer hike or formations you missed. Explore the Devil’s Garden Trail, including Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and revisit a favorite spot for sunset photography.
Optional Day 4	Canyonlands (The Needles District)	Focus: Rugged, unique scenery. This is a 1.5-hour drive from Moab, so plan for a full-day excursion with a packed lunch to explore the distinct needle-like rock formations.

Lodging Tip: Where to Stay in Moab

Since lodging is unavailable inside Arches and Canyonlands, the town of Moab serves as the essential basecamp for any trip. If convenience is your priority, we recommend staying near Main Street. This area offers easy access to restaurants, gear rental shops, and the launch points for most Moab tours and excursions, plus it provides the quickest route to the Arches National Park entrance.

Our pick: For a more immersive, scenic experience (seriously, there are horses on the property), we stayed at and highly recommend the Red Cliffs Lodge. It’s located about 20-30 minutes from downtown Moab, but the stunning riverside views and quiet setting make the slight commute absolutely worthwhile. However, many convenient and family-friendly options are also available right along the Main Street corridor, including Fairfield Inn & Suites Moab and Hyatt Place Moab.

Q&A: Picking Arches vs Canyonlands — Your Decisions Simplified

We’ve broken down the most common questions travelers ask when deciding how to plan their time between Arches National Park vs Canyonlands National Park.

How long do you need in Arches National Park?

If you’re a typical visitor with goals of seeing more than the highlights, 2–3 days should be your minimum to enjoy the major trails without rushing.

Can I visit both Arches and Canyonlands in one day?

Yes, you absolutely can! If your schedule only allows for one day, dedicate your early morning to Arches and your afternoon/sunset to Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district. This is the Easy to Breezy way to see the highlights.

Which park is better for backpacking?

Canyonlands is the clear winner. The Needles and The Maze districts offer vast, remote backcountry and multi-day permits for experienced hikers.

Which park is better for 4×4 and off-roading?

Canyonlands is superior. The famous White Rim Road in the Island in the Sky district is a 100-mile challenging 4×4 route (requires a permit and a proper vehicle). That said, a lot of fun 4×4 half day or less trips are widely available in the Moab area.

Which park is better for summer vs. winter?

Both get extremely hot in the summer; always hike early. For winter, Arches is often considered more scenic with a light dusting of snow, as the snow dramatically highlights the red rock formations.

Which park is better for stargazing?

Both parks are certified International Dark Sky Parks and are incredible. Canyonlands is often easier for accessing wide-open night skies for campers.

Do I need park passes?

Yes. Both parks require a National Parks Pass, and Arches specifically requires a timed entry pass. If you plan to visit BOTH parks, we recommend the America the Beautiful park pass (buy on the National Park Service site) to save time and money.

Taking an early morning flight? See our early morning flight tips.

Distance from Moab: Arches and Canyonlands

If you’re staying in/nearby Moab, which you should, here is the lay of the land. Essentially, you are very close to Arches for full or partial day adventures, and Canyonlands Island in the Sky can be done on a half-day excursion. Plan a full-day excursion if heading to the Needles district from Moab, and consider packing a lunch for your road trip.

Looking for a wellness focused trip? Find more tips and ideas on booking Wellness Travel.

Quick Comparison: Arches vs Canyonlands

Feature	Arches	Canyonlands
Iconic Views	Delicate Arch (Easy to Breezy’s top highlight), Windows, Landscape Arch, Double Arch	Mesa Arch (Easy to Breezy’s top highlight), wide canyons, Needles
Crowds	Higher, especially midday	Lower, more tranquil
Hikes	Short to moderate, iconic	Moderate to strenuous, adventurous
Family-Friendly	Easy trails are available	Island in the Sky is easy and flat at lookout points; Needles is tougher
Photography	Excellent for rock formations	Excellent for wide vistas
Time Needed	2-3 full days	Half to full day
Entry	National Parks Pass + timed entry pass	National Parks Pass

Summary: Choosing Arches vs Canyonlands

When comparing Arches vs Canyonlands, Arches should be your priority, especially for families or first-time visitors. Build in enough time for Canyonlands to enjoy wide-open vistas and quieter trails—even just a few hours in Island in the Sky is memorable. Stay in Moab for convenience, restaurants, and Main Street charm, and don’t forget Dead Horse Point State Park for an easy, unforgettable stop.

Happy, Breezy travels!

Peruse more of our national park guides:

• Destinations | United States | Utah

  Montrose to Moab, Utah: Gateway to Arches and Black Canyon
• International | Canada | Destinations

  Effortless Guide: 7-Day Banff Travel Itinerary
• Canada | Destinations | International

  Canmore vs Banff | Where Should You Stay