Get the booklet
Collect one at the visitor center or download it before the trip.
What to do in Arches with kids
Choose a short walk first. NPS trail measurements show why a small mileage can still mean sand, steps or a steep slope.
| Stop | Why go | With little legs or a stroller |
|---|---|---|
| Balanced Rock | See the formation on a 0.3-mile trail. | Only the first section is paved. The full route has steeper grades. |
Double ArchDirections to The Windows Section Parking LotThe Windows Section Parking Lot Use designated public parking. Check park access and vehicle restrictions before travel. | A 0.6-mile walk toward two arches. | Hard surface, sandy near the end. NPS records a maximum grade of 14%. |
The WindowsDirections to The Windows Section Parking LotThe Windows Section Parking Lot Use designated public parking. Check park access and vehicle restrictions before travel. | See the arches from a 1-mile loop. | Rock stairs on the main route. The first 100 yards of the guided walk are barrier-free. |
| Sand Dune Arch | A 0.4-mile out-and-back through a narrow rock passage. | Deep sand and a boulder in the passage. Leave the stroller out of this plan. |
Landscape ArchDirections to Devils Garden Parking LotDevils Garden Parking Lot Use designated public parking. Check park access and vehicle restrictions before travel. | A 1.8-mile walk into Devils Garden. | Pavement and bedrock, with rock steps near the end. Turn around here for the shorter outing. |
Earn a Junior Ranger badge
The free booklet is for all ages. Pick it up before walking so the activities become part of the day.
Complete the activities
Do five or more exercises and three adventures from the booklet.
Earn the badge
Those activities earn a Junior Ranger badge and signed certificate. Ask about a Red Rock Explorer backpack at the visitor center.
Heat, rock edges and storms
Short trails still have desert exposure. Set a turnaround before anyone is tired or short of water.
Keep the hot hours short
Summer temperatures often exceed 100°F. Choose cooler-hour walks, carry water and use the visitor center for a break. Never leave children in a parked car.
Keep feet off arches
Climbing, scrambling, walking or standing on any arch is prohibited. Sandstone can be slippery when wet or sandy.
Take storms seriously
Never cross a flooded wash. At thunder, shelter in a car or building and wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder.
Give wildlife space
Arches recommends 150 feet from large animals such as black bears and at least 75 feet from small animals such as snakes. Never handle or feed wildlife.
Choose cooler walking weather
October is our family pick. NPS identifies April to May and mid-September to October as the temperate, popular seasons.
April
162,590 average park visits
Spring temperatures suit a day of short walks.
Watch for: A popular season; plan for busy trailheads.
June
189,473 average park visits
A school-break option before the hottest July and August period.
Watch for: Summer heat still demands early walks and indoor breaks.
OctoberOur pick
150,241 average park visits
Our pick for walking without building the whole trip around summer heat.
Watch for: Popular fall travel; bring layers for large daily temperature swings.
Plan a manageable family day
Keep the first day small. Save the longer hikes for a separate decision after seeing how everyone handles the terrain.
Start with two short walks
Pair Balanced Rock with Double Arch, then stop for the booklet or a rest. Add another walk only if everyone wants it.
Choose a base near the park
Use Moab as your planning base and compare overnight options before fixing the day plan.
Keep the hard hikes optional
Delicate Arch has steep climbing and a ledge with a drop-off. Beyond Landscape Arch, Devils Garden adds steep climbs, ledges and drop-offs.
Questions about Arches with kids
Quick answers to the practical questions below.
Can a 4-year-old hike to Delicate Arch?
Age alone is not a useful test. NPS lists the trail at 3.2 miles with a steep climb, rock steps and a ledge with a drop-off. For a first family outing, we would choose Double Arch or Balanced Rock and leave Delicate Arch optional.
How many days do you need at Arches with kids?
Our suggestion is one day for a few short walks and Junior Ranger, or two for a slower pace and another trail. This is a planning choice, not an NPS recommended duration. Leave room to stop walking when it gets hot.
Can we take a stroller on the arch trails?
Do not assume a short trail is paved. The first section at Balanced Rock is paved, while Sand Dune Arch has deep sand and The Windows has rock stairs. Check the NPS surface and grade table against your stroller and needs.
Is the Arches Junior Ranger booklet free?
Yes. NPS offers it free at the visitor center and as a download. Complete five or more exercises and three adventures for the badge and certificate.
How we built this page.
An independent guide using official data. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Park Service.
- Official guidance
- NPS and the relevant operators. The linked official pages support the access, facilities and rules described here. Confirm details before traveling.
- Crowd context
- 2021–2025 monthly averages. NPS recreation visits describe normal seasonal demand, not trail congestion, parking availability or unique visitors.
- Schedules and conditions
- Planning patterns, not live status. Seasonal information describes the normal pattern or explicitly dated source schedule. Current conditions are handled separately. The official source is the place to confirm today’s access.
Topic sources and data details
Trail distances, surfaces, safety rules and Junior Ranger requirements come from the official park pages linked beside each section. Activity choices and suggested pacing are our editorial judgment.
Month picks and suggested day plans are our editorial judgment. Monthly visit comparisons use committed NPS Visitor Use Statistics averages; they do not predict trail crowds or today's access.
Check official conditions and program schedules before travelling. This guide describes normal patterns and does not promise access, program availability or a safe river level.
Operational source check: September 11, 2026. Design and emphasized source review: 2026-10-22. A design review does not refresh every underlying record.