Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
The best months to visit Arches National Park are February, March and November — computed from official NPS visitation (2021–2025 average), NOAA weather normals and daylight. May is the crowd peak (195,001 monthly visits); January is quietest at 19% of peak.
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- Trip-planning tips for 2026 (Information)
Monthly crowd curve
Average monthly recreation visits, 2021–2025 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). Amber bar = current month.
Arches month by month
| Month | Verdict | Avg visits | % of peak | High / Low | Precip | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Shoulder | 36,146 | 19% | 42°F / 22°F | 0.6″ | 9.7h |
| February | Best window | 49,974 | 26% | 50°F / 29°F | 0.6″ | 10.8h |
| March | Best window | 144,233 | 74% | 62°F / 37°F | 0.7″ | 11.9h |
| April | Peak crowds | 162,590 | 83% | 70°F / 44°F | 0.7″ | 13.2h |
| May | Peak crowds | 195,001 | 100% | 80°F / 53°F | 0.8″ | 14.3h |
| June | Peak crowds | 189,473 | 97% | 93°F / 63°F | 0.4″ | 14.9h |
| July | Peak crowds | 170,157 | 87% | 99°F / 70°F | 0.7″ | 14.6h |
| August | Peak crowds | 149,709 | 77% | 96°F / 68°F | 0.9″ | 13.7h |
| September | Peak crowds | 163,421 | 84% | 87°F / 58°F | 0.9″ | 12.5h |
| October | Peak crowds | 150,241 | 77% | 72°F / 44°F | 1.1″ | 11.2h |
| November | Best window | 85,651 | 44% | 56°F / 33°F | 0.6″ | 10.1h |
| December | Shoulder | 48,970 | 25% | 42°F / 24°F | 0.6″ | 9.5h |
Crowds: NPS Visitor Use Statistics, mean of 2021–2025 (2020 excluded as a COVID-19 anomaly). Weather: NOAA 1991–2020 monthly normals, station ARCHES NP HQS, UT US (9 mi from park coordinates). Daylight: computed for the 15th of each month at the park's location. Methodology.
How many people visit Arches each year
Arches National Park had 1,511,740 recreation visits in 2025, 3% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 1,806,865. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,545,566 visits a year, which makes it the 21st most-visited of the 63 national parks.
| Year | Recreation visits | vs. year before |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,511,740 | +3% |
| 2024 | 1,466,528 | −1% |
| 2023 | 1,482,045 | +1% |
| 2022 | 1,460,652 | −19% |
| 2021 | 1,806,865 | +46% |
| 2020 | 1,238,083 | −25% |
| 2019 | 1,659,702 | 0% |
| 2018 | 1,663,557 | +8% |
| 2017 | 1,539,028 | −3% |
| 2016 | 1,585,718 | +13% |
| 2015 | 1,399,247 | — |
Calendar-year recreation visits as published by NPS Visitor Use Statistics. 2020 is shown here but left out of the monthly averages above, because the COVID-19 pandemic makes it unrepresentative. See how every park compares: all 63 parks ranked by visits.
What to pack for Arches in February
Computed from February's weather normals — Arches's best month above. Visiting another month? Each month page has its own weather-computed list.
- Insulated jacket, beanie and gloves — nights average 29°F, below freezing
- Sturdy broken-in footwear, navigation and a basic first-aid kit — every park, every month
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Arches?
February, March and November rank best for Arches on VisitWhen's computed score — the strongest balance of low crowds (NPS data), comfortable weather (NOAA normals) and daylight.
What is the most crowded month at Arches?
May: an average of 195,001 recreation visits (NPS, 2021–2025). The quietest is January, at 19% of the May peak.
When is Arches least crowded with decent conditions?
January. It is the park's quietest month (19% of the May peak, 36,146 average visits) without harsh-season weather.
How many people visit Arches per year?
Arches National Park had 1,511,740 recreation visits in 2025, 3% more than 2024 (NPS Visitor Use Statistics). The busiest year since 2015 was 2021, with 1,806,865. Over 2021–2025 it averaged 1,545,566 visits a year.
What is the weather like at Arches through the year?
The warmest month is July, with average highs of 99°F. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 22°F. The wettest month is October, with 1.1″ of precipitation. (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, ARCHES NP HQS, UT US station.)
Dive into a month
Comparing parks for the same trip? See how Arches ranks against all 63 parks in February, March and November.
Last verified 2026-09-24 · all parks