7 Days Exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks & Gateway Canyons

After one of the most extended travel hiatuses Bill and I have ever taken, I was fortunate enough to earn a spot on a company-sponsored trip to Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa in Colorado. When I learned we would be attending the trip, Bill and I quickly decided to add a few extra days to check out Arches and Canyonlands National Parks nearby Utah. It seemed too good of an opportunity to pass up while we were in the area. Putting in extra hours with work while dealing with the many challenges from 2020 left me more burnt out than I had been in years. This trip was like coming up for air, and I was ready. I hope my Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons itinerary allows you an opportunity to take a trip that gives you the same feeling of renewal.

After the non-stop stress and lack of travel from 2020, any trip to us would have been considered some form of wellness. Once we started researching and planning, we realized that this trip would be a perfect week-long getaway for any couple needing a little R&R in a truly stunning part of the country.

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When To Visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks & Gateway Canyons Resort

The parks are open year-round, and each season in this region of the country offers a unique experience for its guests. I’ve outlined the options below, including the itinerary for our 7 days in Arches, Canyonlands, and Gateway Canyons.

Summer

The only downside of a company trip is that you don’t get to decide on the date. Therefore, we were traveling to the desert in the middle of July when the daily average was about 100-108°F (37-42°C), depending on your location. The summer heat in this region is not for the faint of heart. Despite the scorching weather, families flood the National Parks during summer vacations. The increase in visitors will impact prices and availability, so booking your accommodations in advance is necessary. If you plan to book during the summer months, take advantage of the sunrise and sunset hikes to avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Fall

The fall is a great time to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons. The temperatures are milder, the crowds begin to thin as the season progresses, and the hiking conditions are lovely. It’s a great time to rent mountain bikes to explore the unique landscape in this region in a whole new way. The earlier half of the season makes for excellent camping weather, but it slowly loses appeal as the cooler nights take hold of the desert. When packing your bags, you’ll want to factor in those chilly evenings.

Winter

If you’re looking for solitude during your stay, the winter months would be a great time to explore this region! The days are shorter and colder, but you won’t be competing with the mass crowds while exploring the extraordinary terrain. Plus, you will likely score a great deal on your hotel stay. You can expect to see some snow flurries if you visit during December and January. While the snow isn’t everyone’s favorite act of mother nature, witnessing the desert and arches under a blanket of snow would be a magical sight

Spring

The spring takes the crown for the best time of the year to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons. The weather is perfect for all the outdoor adventures you can dream of, including rafting in the rivers near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In addition to the gorgeous temperatures, the desert wildflowers begin to bloom, making hiking in the parks a lovely sight. Spring is also the high season for this region, which means it will be more crowded and expensive to visit.

Need help preparing for a hot weather adventure? Check out my blog post containing my top hot weather hiking tips.

I would highly recommend downloading the All Trails app before heading to the parks for those who plan to take advantage of the fantastic hikes in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons Resort. The cell phone service is spotty, and the app is a great resource to ensure you’re following the trails.

How To Get Around

The ideal way to get around Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons is by car. Having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to get from place to place on your own schedule. Private shuttle and ride-share options are available in Moab when visiting the National Parks. If you utilize ride-share during your stay, you always risk not having cell phone service to get a ride back from the parks. Some adventurous folks opt to bike to and from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. While this is ideal when the weather conditions are favorable, it’s less ideal when traveling from Moab to Gateway Canyons. Morale of the story: A car is the safest and most convenient choice for this trip!

Getting an earlier start to the day will also be useful if you’re traveling to the National Parks during the peak seasons. National Park Services (NPS) states on their website to expect traffic and arrive before 8:00 am to beat the heat and snag a parking spot.

Where To Stay In Moab

I’ve compiled my top accommodation options for Moab, which will be your home base when visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

• Moab Springs Ranch: A resort-style property that offers guests beautiful bungalow and townhouse accommodation options. They have incredible amenities, including an outdoor heated pool, hot tub, BBQs, hammocks, natural flowing springs with wading pools, EV car chargers, and a campfire. Plus, each unit has its own parking spot and private patio.
• The Gonzo Inn: A boutique condo hotel inspired by the desert’s beauty. There are several room types that range from standard kings to massive suites. Each room has its own private balcony, and each suite has a kitchenette. The property has excellent amenities, including a pool, hot tub, washer and dryer, EV charging stations, private outdoor lounge, and firepit.
• Hoodoo Moab: This luxurious hotel perfectly blends modern and Western design influences throughout the space. Located one block from the main street, this hotel has comfortable rooms and a few excellent amenities, including a pool, spa, onsite restaurant, and fitness center.

Know Before You Go

I’ve compiled some helpful information to ensure a smooth journey while planning your trip and exploring Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons.

• The entrance fee for Arches and Canyonlands National Parks is $30 per vehicle per park, and each ticket is valid for seven days.
• Arches National Park requires a timed entry ticket reservation if you visit from April 1st until October 31st. Timed entry tickets are an additional $2; you can book your reservation on the National Park Services (NPS) website.
• Arches NPS and Canyonlands NPS websites are full of helpful information and alerts. It’s beneficial to check it throughout the day to stay up to date on anything that could impact your experience.
• Drink plenty of water! Even if you don’t travel to this region during the middle of summer. Be sure to bring a reusable water bottle that keeps your water cold. My favorite brand is the Hydroflask.
• Don’t rely on your cell phone service, and consider downloading your trail maps with the All Trails app.
• Wear sunscreen. There’s very little shade in Arches or Canyonlands National Parks, so you will have constant sun exposure.
• When hiking on the trails, you will notice small rock piles called cairns intended to mark the path. Don’t build your own since this could confuse other hikers.
• Follow the rules outlined by the parks, including not climbing or walking on the arches at either park. Don’t be that girl or guy, please.

Hiking in Arches & Canyonlands National Parks

Arches and Canyonlands National Parks have hundreds of miles worth of hiking trails that vary in length, elevation gain, and exceptional views. You can locate all the trail information on the Arches NPS website, Canyonlands NPS website, and the AllTrails app. I’ve also curated a list of recommended hikes based on my research and experience.

If you decide to hike, come prepared with a reusable water bottle and follow the Leave No Trace Principles.

Canyonland National Park Trails

Island in the Sky Trails

• Mesa Arch Trail: 0.7 miles loop.
• Upheaval Dome Trail: 1.3 miles out and back.
• Aztec Butte Trail: 1.6 miles out and back.
• Grand View Point Trail: 1.8 miles out and back.
• White Rim Overlook Trail: 1.8 miles out and back.
• Murphy Point Trail: 3.4 miles out and back.
• Syncline Loop: 7.9 miles loop.

The Needles Trails

• Slickrock Foot Trail: 3.4 miles loop.
• Chesler Park Viewpoint: 5.4 miles out and back; part of the Chesler Park Loop Trail.
• Druid Arch Trail: 9.7 miles out and back.
• Chesler Park Loop Trail: 10.2 miles loop.

Arches National Park Trails

• Sand Dune Arch Trail: 0.3 miles out and back.
• Double Arch Trail: 0.6 miles out and back.
• Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail: 1.2 miles loop.
• Park Avenue Trail: 1.8 miles out and back.
• Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch: 2.1 miles loop. This trail requires a ticket for a ranger-led hike or a permit if you want to explore on your own.
• Delicate Arch Trail: 3.2 miles out and back.
• Double O Arch Trail: 4.1 miles out and back; part of the Devil’s Garden Trail.
• Devil’s Garden Trail: 7.9 miles loop.

Day 1 – Arrive in Moab & Dead Horse Point State Park

Bill and I flew into Gateway, Colorado, picked up our car, and drove 1 hour and 35 minutes to Moab, Utah.

We arrived in Moab starving after our travel day, so our first stop after we checked into the hotel was Quesadilla Mobilla for lunch. It was the pick-me-up we needed before making our way to Dead Horse Point State Park.

Dead Horse Point State Park is known for the stunning panoramic vista at the very end of the park. Once we got to the lookout, we quickly understood the hype. The view definitely didn’t disappoint.

There are a few easy-to-moderate hikes around the rim of the park so you can see the different sides of the canyon and the Colorado River.

We headed back into Moab for a casual dinner at The Trailhead Public House and Eatery. It’s the perfect spot for your favorite bar dishes and a refreshing beer. Before we called it a night, we swung by The Village Market grocery store to pick up some necessities for our upcoming hikes. We planned on having early starts for our national park days to see the sunrise, so purchasing some on-the-go breakfast items was needed.

Ready to hit the trails? Check out my Complete Hiking Packing List post that outlines the hiking ten essentials you need in your pack for a safe journey outdoors.

Day 2 – Canyonlands National Park & Arches National Park

As mentioned above, we woke up around 4:30 am and began our journey to Canyonlands National Park. Since we only had one day, Bill and I decided to focus on the Island in the Sky Area of the park. If we had more time, we would have explored the other two sections Canyonlands has to offer.

Mesa Arch

It took us about 50 minutes to get from Moab to Mesa Arch, which is notoriously known as a top spot to see the sunrise. We arrived about 15 minutes before sunrise, and it was pretty packed in front of the arch. If you’re a photographer looking for an excellent spot to snap the sunrise, I recommend getting there with enough time to secure your space.

We weren’t dying to see the sunrise through the arch, so we made our way to the left of the arch so we could enjoy the sunrise together. The sunrise at Mesa was worth it, in my opinion, even if you don’t watch it come through the arch.

Eventually, we did sneak our way to the front of the arch after the sun started rising to check out the view, which was also beautiful despite the crowds.

Hiking Trails & Overlooks

Next up, we made our way down the road to hike the Grand View Point Trail. This is a very popular trail since it’s an easy 2 mile out and back hike with beautiful panoramic views. Since we arrived at the park before sunrise, we were the first people on the trail, and we had to ourselves on our way to the lookout.

After Grand View Point, we stopped at White Rim Overlook Trail, another easy 1.8 miles out and back trail leading you to a vista. We stopped at the Buck Canyon Overlook and the Green River Overlook on our way to Upheaval Dome Trail.

Upheaval Dome was one of our favorite morning stops due to the rich layers of colors that make up the dome. The trail is 1.3 miles out and back and has two incredible lookouts. I would consider the trail moderate to difficult, depending on your fitness level, and there are a few moments when you’re required to scramble. Don’t worry; the views are worth it.

By the time we made it back to our car, it was around 10:30 am. The heat had quickly crept up to 105 degrees. To stay safe from the heat of the day, Bill and I made one final stop at Shafer Canyon Overlook before driving back to Moab.

We likely would have stayed out longer with a packed lunch if we were traveling during the ideal months. One of the perks of heading back to Moab to beat the heat (besides refilling our water and reapplying sunscreen) is trying another lunch spot in town. We stopped at Cafe Italiano, a cute food truck offering coffee beverages and sandwiches. What more could you want?

Arches National Park – Part I

I know what you’re thinking, “you tried to cram in two parks in one day?” Our answer – sort of. We had limited time in Moab, so to maximize our time, we decided to dedicate the afternoon to begin exploring Arches National Park. The reason we decided to prioritize more time towards Arches is because the park is breathtaking and unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.

We focused our time that afternoon on The Windows Section of the park and stopped at every major lookout. There’s an easy 1-mile hike between the North and South Window and an easy 0.5-mile out-and-back hike to get to the Double Arch. Overall, it was an enjoyable afternoon taking in the remarkable arches despite the heat.

That evening back in Moab, we splurged and had a fantastic dinner at Desert Bistro. I highly recommend booking a reservation in advance if you want to experience this upscale bistro.

Day 3 – Arches National Park

We had another early start to the day (shocking, I know) so we could hike the Devil’s Garden Trail. This is a very popular trail at the park; if you want to beat the crowds, arriving promptly is a must.

There are a few different paths to take when hiking this trail ranging from easy to difficult. To get the full grand effect of this hike, I highly recommend hiking out to Double O Arch. Be warned that this hike is difficult and will require you to scramble and navigate some rocky spots. However, the views are spectacular, and it’s well worth the excursion.

We decided to add on the optional spurs and ventured to the Dark Angel before making our way back to check out Navajo Arch and Partition Arch. The total hiking time, not including stops, was about 3 hours.

We stopped back in Moab for our afternoon break and swung by the famous Doughbird for donuts and coffee. It was the perfect pick-me-up after a long morning of hiking.

That evening, Bill and I planned to hike Delicate Arch at sunset, which is probably the most famous hike in the park. When you Google ‘Arches National Park,’ this is the arch you’ll find as the top result. The hike is 3 miles out and back, and it’s a somewhat tricky hike, mainly due to the steep elevation gain and minimal shade. Since this arch is an icon, the crowds were substantial even with the scorching heat. Despite the mass amount of people up at the arch with us, Bill and I enjoyed relaxing up there together before we wrapped up our last day in Moab.

Tip: Delicate Arch would also be a beautiful spot to watch the sunrise.

If you need a comprehensive packing list for all your travel needs, I’ve got you covered! I created the ultimate packing list for your upcoming adventures, including carry-on essentials, toiletries, clothing, and location-specific items.

Day 4-7 – Gateway Canyons, Colorado

We said farewell to Moab and made our way to Gateway, Colorado, home to Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa. This is where we would be spending the remainder of our trip.

The resort is the perfect spot for a mix of relaxation and adventure. In the realm of relaxation, they have a gorgeous spa and two refreshing pools. For those looking for something a little more exciting, they offer various activities, including hiking, climbing, off-road touring, mountain biking, and much more. They also have an adventure center onsite, and a customer service team member can get you squared away with a fun-filled activity.

Bill and I opted to do some of the easier hikes around the resort and rented mountain bikes to explore the grounds in a new way. We also lounged by the pool with our friends and co-workers most afternoons while sipping delicious cocktails. As I said, the perfect mix of relaxation and adventure.

One of our work events was hosted at the resort’s Gateway Auto Museum, which features a variety of classic cars, some around 100 years old. Although I don’t consider myself well-versed in vehicles, I have to admit this was an excellent museum, and you quickly get sucked into the history of the automobile.

Day Trip – Palisades Wine Tasting

One of the excursion options for your trip to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and Gateway Canyons is a wine tasting in Palisade, Colorado, which is a little over an hour away from the resort. Palisade is well known for its quaint town, adorable wineries, and tasty peaches.

Our first stop was Varaison Vineyards and Winery for an educational wine-tasting experience. I was beyond impressed with the service we received and the information we learned during our time there. After that, we stopped at Maison La Belle Vie Winery for a flight of wine and lunch. Before returning to the resort, we stopped and grabbed some of their famous Palisade peaches from one of the farmer’s markets in town.

Final Thoughts

Utah and Colorado have many fantastic options for individuals looking to get outside and explore or relax with a glass of wine. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to unwind from a stressful job or if you’re craving a getaway with some friends or a partner; this region of the country has plenty to offer.

Have a question about my trip? Or want to share your experiences from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks or Gateway Canyons Resort? Leave me a comment!