Arches NP: I am planning a trip to Arches National Park. I was wanting to know the best time of year to visit the park. I will fly in from Tn. and rent a car.. is Grand Junction the...

Captain Jim Loc: Maryville Tn

I am planning a trip to Arches National Park. I was wanting to know the best time of year to visit the park. I will fly in from Tn. and rent a car.. is Grand Junction the best site..or is there other airports ....

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

May be cheaper to fly into Salt Lake City and a direct flight. If you fly into Grand Junction it will be on a commuter flight...most likely from Denver.

Mid May is a great time (don't know your desired time frame) and allow yourself plenty of time for Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion and Bryce to if you are so inclined.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

You will see the most green vegetation in the spring. Also there are apt to be more young wildlife around. It is pretty in the winter also, but snow can be a major factor in travel.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

jederick wrote:

May be cheaper to fly into Salt Lake City and a direct flight. If you fly into Grand Junction it will be on a commuter flight...most likely from Denver.

Mid May is a great time (don't know your desired time frame) and allow yourself plenty of time for Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion and Bryce to if you are so inclined.

Also if you fly into Salt Lake you can go south on I 15 to Spanish Fork and take the scenic route(U.S.6 & U.S.191) down thru Helper, Price, Wellington, & get on I 70 at Green River, Ut and head east to Arches.

Wandering Loc: Sea Wa

And, if you take Jethro779's advice, and you should, go beyond the 191 junction to 128. It will prepare you for what is to come. I agree with May, before Memorial Day.

waykee7 Loc: Cortez, Colorado

Captain Jim wrote:

I am planning a trip to Arches National Park. I was wanting to know the best time of year to visit the park. I will fly in from Tn. and rent a car.. is Grand Junction the best site..or is there other airports ....

Mid May is very good. It can get suffocatingly hot just a few weeks after that. If you're retired (which I think you are!) and you have great flexibility with your schedule, I'd watch the weather. I'd try to catch a storm. . . the changing light on the arches can add immense drama, and you can get something other than boring blue sky (my apologies to my friends in cloudy climes). Canyonlands is, of course, close by, and the Chesler Park/Needles district is fun. The views with the La Sals in the background, especially if there's snow remaining, can be unbelievable.
Wayne

Anandnra Loc: Tennessee

We flew from TN to Salt lake and did a loop of Bryce, Capital Reef, Canyonlands and Arches. A photographer's dream location - Arches! If you drive directly from Salt Lake to Arches it's about 3.5 hrs. or so and a pleasant drive. Our trip was in October and had wonderful weather.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Plan to stay in Moab, quite near Arches NP.
http://www.google.com/maps/@38.558003,-109.5547191,22061m/data=!3m1!1e3

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I have been there 3 timesalways in April the weather was wonderful and lots of beautiful skies with too many other people. Utah is an amazing state you will have a wonderful trip. I ordered a book from Amazon called Photographing the Southwest. It was very very helpful

Carnac Loc: Las Vegas

You can fly into Las Vegas also. Similar distances. Often good deals on rooms and rental cars if there isn't something big going on at the time (conventions fill the town up).

The railroad from Williams AZ to the Grand Canyon is a lot of fun. Worth looking into.

Jim

wilderness

I would go in April as May is quite hot and April will have more snow in the La Sals which will be your backdrop while photographing to the South. Don't miss the nearby Fisher Towers off of Highway 128. If you go to Dead Horse Point please note the 25 recent oil and gas wells marring the view to the north. If you don't want the 50 more that are planned then join the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance!

paulrph1 Loc: Washington, Utah

I live in Utah and have been to Arches and it is awesome. But so are our other NP's. It you have time go to Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef where Bryce and Zion are best but plan on at least one day at each. Try to spend the night in Bryce, it is a on top view down canyon. But try to arrange it to be there during a full moon and go, look and photo during the brightness of the moon. It is awesome and the hoodoos have an eerie, fantasy feel that should not be missed. If you go to Bryce and the facilities are not open because it is too early there is a motel right at the gate which is open year round. Also at Zion they have facilities right at the gate in Springdale.

MaryAnn Loc: Florida/Massachusetts

Captain Jim wrote:

I am planning a trip to Arches National Park. I was wanting to know the best time of year to visit the park. I will fly in from Tn. and rent a car.. is Grand Junction the best site..or is there other airports ....

My husband and I were there this past May and it was wonderful! We set up our tent at a campsite in Moab, Utah with the park as our backdrop. Enjoy.

MTG44 Loc: Corryton, Tennessee

I flew from Tenn. to Salt Lake City. Stayed in Moab. You can spend a week there.You should go to Cayonlands and go to the bottom on the dirt road.Also go down Rt.128 till you come to a big Ranch resort,stop and have dinner here .Beautiful views of Colorado river and valley. Makes me want to go back.

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

Captain Jim wrote:

I am planning a trip to Arches National Park. I was wanting to know the best time of year to visit the park. I will fly in from Tn. and rent a car.. is Grand Junction the best site..or is there other airports ....

I cannot recommend a time of year since I have only been in September. I would not want to go during the summer months because of the heat. Rent a Jeep.

If you are flying to Grand Junction, it would be worth your time to visit the COLORADO NATIONAL MONUMENT there. Very scenic drive. You will not be disappointed.