jfs Loc: Illinois

Currently trying to plan a photo trip to Moab, UT the 1st week in October to visit Arches and Canyonlands Natl Parks as well as some of State Parks and other attractions in the area. I must admit a lot of my interest has been kindled by the great pictures I've seen here! My wife and I have not been that far West of our central Illinois location.

However, after visiting both websites for Canyonlands and Arches, I have been disillusioned about the traffic congestion noted on both sites. As we probably won't be doing much hiking, I would guess most of the shooting would be from side of roads and pull-offs when possible. I was not encouraged by the comments on the Arches website, that the waiting time to enter the park runs upward to 30 minutes and if one parking area is full, you move on and try the next!

I guess I am looking for some comments from folks who have been there, for suggestions to maximize 4-5 days in the area without fighting traffic if possible.

Thanks,
John

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

In October the traffic will be down a bit, just pray for smokeless skies. In three fall western trips we have been almost totally smoked out twice.
Your Ace in the hole for traffic is being in place well before dawn and shooting at and after sundown. Most people don’t do this.
Anyway, it’s all worth it, the photo opps are endless.
I just wish I was going with you!

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

If you could make your trip for the last week in October it would be even better but it will start getting cold by then. Most of the tourists will be gone by then. But even the first week, you shouldn't be dealing with crowds and traffic like you mentioned in your post. Early in the morning and late in the evening are key to miss most of the traffic and much better light for photographs. Take a good map and find some less travelled routes. You will be surprised at how spectacular the sights are from gravel roads. One instance is the horse shoe canyon detached piece of National Park land. Even if you are not able to hike into the canyon for the rock art, Goblin Valley is out there, as well as lots more very interesting landscapes. The opportunities are endless.

wilderness

There are a few secrets to photographing spectacular landscapes without crowds. The first one is GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND WALK. Not only is it healthy for you but you'll connect with the environment in a way that is not at all possible when you stay on pavement. (By the way I'm 66 ). Secret two- go in off season which you're almost doing. Secret three Don't go to parks. In the Moab region you should visit Fisher Towers off of Highway 128, and perhaps the area known as Behind The Rocks. There are hiking guide books to the area in the excellent Back of Beyond Bookstore on Main St. in Moab (right near Tom Till's fabulous photography gallery). Check out my website at www.harveyhalpern.com for photos of what getting away from the roads of the southwest looks like.

One spectacular and fairly unvisited scenic overlook that requires next to no walking is The Needles Overlook south of Moab en route to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

We went in late April. The season for tourists apparently run from March to October, but the crowds in April were thin. We stayed in Homeaway cabin north of Moab, nice place at Thompson Springs, much cheaper than in town. If you're in the Arches by ten you shouldn't have too much problem. We did Canyonlands in mid-afternoon, traffic was ok, crowds dispersed through the area. Late October should be no different. I'm not sure there is any season that tourists aren't there - I've seen plenty of photos of snowy Arches. One clue how popular the area is: the balloon rides start in March. So make your reservations early for whatever activities you're planning.

nhastings Loc: Telluride, CO

First week in October should be fine. Do yourself a favor, get up very early, way before the sun is up and have a plan. Scout the area the day before to figure out what you want. One of my favorite spots is the Windows if you can get there very early. There is a spot on the other side of the windows (yes a little hiking) that gives you a spectacular shot through the window to Turret Arch which gets the first light of the morning sun. No matter what you do, it is spectacular location and you will have a good time. Enjoy!

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

Just came from these two parks. I was there in mid July. Canyonlands had very little traffic, it was a real pleasure there. Even the ride in, 50 something miles was very enjoyable. Arches had a lot of traffic but it was not overwhelming. Both of these parks had great shots from the road if getting out and hiking isn't your thing. Some had short relatively easy walks for different perspectives, and others tougher walks. I also found Grand Staircase Escalante and Capital Reef to offer stunning views. Both of these are relatively close to the area you are going to be in. My understanding, in talking to park rangers, is that the volume of guests dies down dramatically after Labor Day. All families are back in school at that time. I was able to get photo opportunities at Arches everywhere I wanted.An extra thing i did was place an older DSLR on my dashboard, mounted on a photo beanbag, with a tethered release. Allows for some really nice extra pictures for a slide show or something similar. Also gives your passenger something to do if they are so inclined.

SteveLew Loc: Sugar Land, TX

I went to both Moab and Canyon lands parks. If you go early to Moab National Park say before 8 am you should not encounter too much traffic. Canyon Lands Monument will not be crowded at all. However, this monument is very large so try to determine where you are going to go within Canyon Lands.

Ob1 Loc: Utah

The crowds should not be that bad like others have suggested. The key is go to the parks way before sunrise and experience and photograph that morning glow on those amazing rocks. Stay for sunset and have a sleep during midday. In Canyonlands you must photograph Mesa Arch. Google it to see how beautiful it is. You need to go the day before and decide on how you want to photograph the arch. Be in place no later than 5:30 am. You will have company, it is a short walk, use a Circular Polarizing Filter. You might as well just leave that on your lens for the trip. See if you can register for the Fiery Furnace walk in Arches, an experience you will never forget. In 4-5 days I doubt you’ll have time to go too many other places.

brucebc Loc: Tooele, Utah

2017 was the only time I ever waited more than about 5 minuted to get into Arches, that was because they were re-doing almost all the pavement in the park. I have never waited any to get into Canyonlands. The only crowd in Canyonlands is at Mesa arch early in the morning. The only early morning time I had Mesa Arch to my self was about 15 years ago on Thanksgiving morning. Most mornings at sunup 15-20 with tripods and then the horde shows up with their cell phones. By 9 AM the place is pretty open, just a few people spending a few minutes and then they are gone. Just before you get to Canyonlands is Utah State Park; Dead Horse Point, it is worth the 5 mile side detour.

AzPicLady Loc: Behind the camera!

Don't miss Dead Horse Point. Also, out of Moab there's a road that goes south(?) to some mining spot. LOTS of petroglyphs right along the road with space to pull off and photograph. It follows the river, so there are nice river shots along the way. Also, the confluence of the Colorado and some other river is a really nice point.

jfs Loc: Illinois

Sorry I haven't replied to your comments in a more timely fashion, but have been away for a bit. Thanks to one in all for the comments. They are really informative and have answered most of my questions. Really appreciate the input, as nothing beats first hand experiences! We are still considering our options, so again, the comments are greatly appreciated.