Where to Stay Near Arches National Park: 9 Best Places for Any Budget
Arches National Park in Utah is a terrific park for families- with its iconic stone arches (hello Utah license plates!), and varied hikes, this park is a terrific addition to many family road trips. Trying to figure out where to stay near Arches National Park? We’ve got all the best options, from budget-friendly motels to luxury hotels.
There are many great places to stay near Arches National Park, and if you plan ahead (and book well in advance) you are sure to find something that fits your style and price point. We have put together a list of places to stay for every budget.
We visited Arches National Park on our Epic Cross-Country Road Trip as part of our Family Year Out when our kids were 4 and 7. We also loved our visit to nearby Bryce Canyon.
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At the bottom of this post download our Top Ten Tricks for Exploring National Parks with Kids.
Want to skip to the good stuff? Here are our top recommendations for places to stay near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.
Best Budget Hotel: Expedition Lodge: Most fun pool, and a great location
Best Midrange Hotel: The Gonzo Inn: A great hotel with personality
Best Luxury Hotel: Hoodoo Moab: Quiet oasis, one block from the center of town
What is Arches National Park Known For?
With more than 2000 documented arches in the park, Arches National Park is known for having the highest concentration of natural stone arches anywhere in the world.
The most recognizable is Delicate Arch, which is 18 meters high and is featured on the Utah license plate. Interestingly, this arch was not even part of the park when it was initially designated a United States National Monument in 1929. It was only added when the park was expanded in 1938. Check out the best Arches hiking trails for the whole family.
Arches National Park is one of the “Mighty Five” National Parks in Utah, along with Bryce Canyon, Zion, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. Love National Parks? Check out all of our guides to National Parks for families.
The Closest Town to Arches National Park
Moab, Utah is the closest town to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. The town center is just about five minutes from the entrance to Arches and about half an hour from the entrance sign to Canyonlands.
Moab is a great base for both Arches and Canyonlands and has a lot of cafes, restaurants, and shopping. Make sure to pick the best time to visit Arches National Park.
Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
The town of Moab, Utah is just five minutes south of Arches National Park and has a wide range of dining and lodging options. Below we break down our favorite places to stay in Arches National park as well as in Moab, based on price and amenities.
Camping Near Arches National Park
Devil’s Garden Campground is the only camping area within Arches National Park. Between March 1 to October 31, you can reserve a campsite. From November through February, the campsites are first come, first serve.
During the busy season, the campground is typically full every night. You can reserve a spot up to six months in advance and in the peak times, these go very quickly, so plan ahead.
There are several private campgrounds close to Arches National Park. Check out this list for the best private campgrounds!
Planning ahead is one of our top travel tips– National parks get quite crowded during the summer months, and hotels book up quickly.
Top 3 Best Budget Hotel Options in Moab
These are the best budget hotel options in Moab, Utah. Like entry to Arches National Park, these are best booked well in advance. These are great hotels for visiting Arches National Park, as well as for visiting Canyonlands National Park.
Please Note: In high season, even budget hotel prices are high. We are considering anything under $200 per night to be a budget hotel. These are not the lowest prices possible, but they are clean, well-kept hotels that we feel comfortable recommending.
These hotels all have free wifi, a/c, flat-screen TVs, and onsite pools, and are in town, within walking distance to restaurants and shops.
Best Budget Hotel: Expedition Lodge
In the middle of town, the first thing our kids noticed about the Expedition Lodge is the small water slide into the pool out front. This place also has been recently renovated and the rooms are nice and clean with fun designs and many with bunk bed options. There is an arcade room on site as well, but the best part about this lodge is the included breakfast.
Check Availability: Expedition Lodge
Big Horn Lodge
The Big Horn Lodge has been recently renovated and the rooms have a cozy lodge feeling, besides the fact that this is a motel.
It is further out of town than our other pics, but has the city market across the street, and is a quick walk to the Moab Brewery and a number of other restaurants. There is a pool on-site, as well as the Moab Grill, which is open for breakfast lunch, and dinner.
Check Availability: Big Horn Lodge
Hotel Moab Downtown
The Hotel Moab Downtown is right in the center of town. It’s an easy walk to lots of shops and restaurants. The rooms are clean and parking is easy. And best of all, there is a lovely pool to cool down in after a day of hiking.
We stayed here in 2021 in a Standard Double Queen Room and were very happy. Right next to it is the Canyon Steak and Waffle House, which gets great reviews and is open for breakfast and lunch daily.
Check Availability: Hotel Moab Downtown
Top 3 Best Mid-Range Hotel Options in Moab
These hotels are a step up from the budget hotel options, with a mid-range price of $200-$400 a night. Each has a pool, free wifi, and flat-screen TVs in the room.
Best Mid-Range Hotel: The Gonzo Inn
Just off the main drag, behind the Hotel Moab is The Gonzo Inn. This eclectic hotel has fun decor and nicely appointed rooms, each with its own balcony. The hotel offers suites with a bedroom for the parents and a sofa bed for the kids in the living room.
There is an on-site restaurant and an included á la carte breakfast. There is a business center and vending machines, as well as a terrace, and the hotel features a spa center and a concierge service.
Check Availability: The Gonzo Inn
Radcliffe Moab
The Radcliffe Moab features a restaurant, bar, lounge, and outdoor pool. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, concierge service, a business center, and luggage storage. Breakfast is available in the restaurant, but not included. It is a little south of the downtown area.
Check Availability: Radcliffe Moab
Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn
In the heart of downtown Moab, the Best Western Plus Canyonlands Inn has lovely rooms, each with a mini fridge, coffee maker, and desk, and a hot breakfast is included. There is an on-site 24-hour gym, a bike storage room, a laundry room, an outdoor picnic area, and a covered rooftop terrace for relaxing.
Check Availability: Best Western Plus Canyonlands
Top 3 Best Luxury Hotel Options in Moab
Looking to splurge on your stay in Moab? These are the best luxury hotels close to Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. These hotels are all over $400 per night.
Best Luxury Hotel: Hoodoo Moab
The Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton is a beautiful new hotel. Nestled in the downtown, but away from the noise of Main street, you can still easily walk to restaurants and shopping.
The rooms are large and there is a nice restaurant and bar on site. There is a gym, conference center, meeting rooms, and bike storage.
Check Availability: Hoodoo Moab
Fairfield Inn & Suites
The Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab is 5 minutes south of the entrance to Arches and just over the Colorado River north of Moab. The rooms are spacious and each has a desk, a small fridge, a microwave, and a coffeemaker.
The pool is lovely and has a waterfall. There is a gym, business center, bike storage, and laundry facilities. You will need to drive to get to town.
Check Availability: Fairfield Inn & Suites
Hyatt Place Moab
The Hyatt Place Moab is a new Hotel just north of the city center on the way to Arches. With large rooms, many have handicapped-accessible showers. The property features an onsite restaurant, bar and lounge, terrace, and seasonal outdoor pool.
In addition to bike storage, there is also a free bike shop, business center, snack bar, conference and meeting rooms, and a shuttle service is available.
Check Availability: Hyatt Place Moab
Top Tips for Choosing the Best Hotel Near Arches National Park
Here are our best tips for choosing a hotel near Arches National Park whether you are a large family, or a couple.
1. Book Early
Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are very popular in the summer. Rooms book up quickly, so make reservations as soon as you have your plans for the best selection.
2. Summers are Hot
Summer in Utah is very hot- you’ll need to be in the park and hiking as early as possible to avoid the worst of the heat. Once you’ve worn yourself out on the trails, you’ll love having a pool to cool off in at your hotel. Prioritize pools!
3. Walk Around the Town
Choose a hotel within easy walking distance of all the entertainment and amenities in Moab. You’ll enjoy cooling off in the pool and then wandering down the block to grab an ice cream, buy a t-shirt, or sit down for dinner.
FAQ: Where To Stay Near Arches National Park
You should allow at least two days for Arches National Park, and one day for Canyonlands National Park when you are staying in Moab. If you want to explore Dead Point State Park or other nearby attractions, add additional days.
The spring (March to May) is the best time to visit Moab, Utah. The desert temperatures will be mild but warm, and you’ll avoid the crowds of family road-trippers that come during the popular summer months.
Read our full post: The Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
Moab, Utah is known as the base town for exploring Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, two of the Utah “Mighty Five” National Parks.
Moab is also known as home to the Slickrock Bike Trail, a challenging and world-famous mountain biking trail.
Where Can I Park My RV in Moab, Utah?
There are a lot of campground options close to Moab which have hookups for RVs. Check out this list of campgrounds as well as this list of the top five Moab RV parks.
There are very few places to park an RV in Arches National Park. Leave your RV in town, or park it at the Visitors Center.
Overall, parking is tight at Arches even for small cars. You will need to get to a trailhead early to get parking, or you may need to choose a different trailhead until parking opens up.
The closest airport to Moab, Utah is Canyonlands Airport (CNY) which is just 18 miles from Moab. The closest larger airport is Salt Lake City (SLC) which is a four-hour drive to Moab.
Yes, a visit to Moab is worth it! It’s a great base for Arches National park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s also world famous for its mountain biking trails.
Amtrak train service stops in Green River, Utah which is about a one-hour drive from Moab, Utah.
AmtrakVacations runs trips that include transfers from the Green River station into Moab and back so that you can visit these epic national parks.
There are several grocery stores in Moab, Utah, including City Market at 425 S. Main Street, and Walkers Express Grocery just up the street at 290 S Main.
There You Have It: Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
These are the best places to stay near Arches National Park. From budget to luxury, couples to family-friendly, there’s something for everyone close to this iconic Utah National Park.
Road tripping? Check out our best road trip activities, best road trip snacks, and of course, road trip gear to stock up on before you leave.
