2026 “Double-Play” Guide

By Chuck Price. Updated for 2026 travel.

TL;DR: Your Moab Plan in 90 Seconds

Stressed about Arches timed entry? Don’t be. This guide gives you the “Moab Double-Play”:
hit Arches early for the iconic hikes, then spend your afternoons on the big, crowd-absorbing overlooks in Canyonlands.

If timed entry is running during your dates, the simplest move is still the cleanest one:
plan Arches outside the timed-entry window, hike in the cool morning, then bail before the heat and the traffic stack up.

You’ll get:

A step-by-step daily itinerary
The exact strategy to use Arches rules to avoid prime-time entry hassles
Links to the official NPS Arches map and the key timed-entry pages

Read-time: 8 minutes.

What Is the Moab “Double-Play” Itinerary?

It’s a practical way to visit Moab’s two national parks without wasting half your trip in lines or cooking on exposed trails.

Here’s the logic:
Arches is the crowd magnet and it’s best when it’s cool and quiet. Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) is built for midday. It’s huge, it spreads people out, and the overlooks don’t punish you the way a long Arches hike can.

From personal experience, splitting the day like this keeps you moving with the desert’s rhythm instead of fighting it.

Answer Capsule: The Moab “Double-Play” is a 3-day itinerary that pairs early-morning Arches hikes with afternoon Canyonlands overlooks. When timed entry is active, the strategy avoids the busiest entry window by visiting outside timed-entry hours.

Why You Can’t “Wing It” in Moab in 2026

Spontaneity in Moab has limits now, especially at Arches.

The National Park Service states timed entry tickets may be required during 2026. That means you should not assume you can roll up late morning on a spring weekend and stroll right in.

I’ve lived the stress side of this. You open the booking page, you refresh, and the time slots you wanted are suddenly gone. Whether or not timed entry applies to your exact travel dates, the no-drama move stays the same: pick your entry strategy and don’t bet your trip on luck.

Answer Capsule: A plan matters in 2026 because Arches may use timed entry again. Before you travel, confirm current requirements on the official NPS timed entry pages.

The “Beat the Ticket” Moab Itinerary — A Step-by-Step Guide

This plan assumes you’re staying in or near Moab and have your passes sorted in advance. Pack headlamps, lots of water, and snacks each day. Desert “short hikes” can still wreck you if you treat them casually.

Day 1: Arches AM, Canyonlands PM

Morning (6:00 AM): Get up early. Aim to be at the Arches entrance gate by 6:30 AM. If timed entry is being enforced, this targets entry outside the controlled window (based on NPS pilot rules).
Hike (7:00 AM to 9:30 AM): Go straight to the Windows Section. Hit North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. Short trails. Big payoff. Great morning light.
Late Morning (10:00 AM): Exit Arches and drive about 45 minutes to Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky.
Afternoon (11:00 AM to 4:00 PM): Drive the scenic road and stop at the overlooks. Hike the easy trail to Mesa Arch. Picnic at Grand View Point Overlook.

Day 2: Delicate Arch, Then Devils Garden

Morning (6:00 AM): Another early start. If timed entry is active, be inside Arches before the controlled window.
Hike (7:00 AM to 10:00 AM): Do the 3-mile roundtrip Delicate Arch hike early. The final climb is exposed and brutal later in the day.
Late Morning (10:30 AM to 1:00 PM): Drive to Devils Garden and take the flatter trail to Landscape Arch.
Afternoon: Rest. Go back into Moab, refuel on water, and get out of the peak heat.

Day 3: Canyonlands Sunrise, Then a State Park Sunset

Morning (5:30 AM): Sunrise at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Expect photographers. The view earns it.
Late Morning: Hit anything you skipped: Upheaval Dome or Aztec Butte, depending on your group and heat tolerance.
Afternoon/Evening: Drive 15 minutes to Dead Horse Point State Park. Separate entrance fee. One of the best sunset overlooks in Utah.

A Note on “No-Ticket” Assumptions

Do not assume there will be a mid-summer “no-ticket window” in 2026.
In 2025 there was a pause in timed entry during part of summer, but for 2026 the NPS language is broader: timed entry tickets may be required. Treat your trip like it could be in effect, then verify.

Pro Tip: Cell service is weak to nonexistent in big chunks of both parks. Download your maps and key pages from the official NPS site to your phone before you leave Moab.

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Desert

Not Enough Water: The sun and dry air dehydrate you fast. The Fix: For a full day out, a solid baseline is about 1 gallon (4 liters) per person, then adjust up for heat and effort. Don’t just leave it in the car. Carry it.
Ignoring Trail Warnings: If a sign says “strenuous” or “primitive,” believe it. The Fix: Be honest about fitness, heat tolerance, and kids’ stamina. Devils Garden loops and Upheaval Dome are not casual strolls.
Busting the Crust: That lumpy black soil is alive. It’s cryptobiotic soil, and it holds the desert together. The Fix: Stay on marked trails. One footprint can undo decades of growth.

Local Tip: The Moab “Triple Crown” Day

Here’s the cleanest “big day” combo if you want sunrise to sunset without trying to do everything at once:
Arches at dawn, Canyonlands mid-day, Dead Horse Point at dusk.

It works because it matches what the environment is doing. Morning is for hiking. Midday is for overlooks. Evening is for big-sky views.

FAQ: Your Top Moab Questions Answered

What are the 2026 dates for Arches timed entry?
NPS has not published a full 2026 date range on the same page section that lists the 2025 program dates. What it does say: timed entry tickets may be required during 2026. Check the official NPS timed entry pages before you go.

Can I enter early without a timed entry ticket?
Under the NPS timed entry pilot rules, timed entry was enforced during a set daytime window, and visitors without a ticket could enter before the window or after it. If timed entry is active for your 2026 dates, verify the current enforcement hours on the NPS pages before you go.

Which park is better for kids?
Arches is usually better for younger kids. The Windows Section trails are short and rewarding. Canyonlands is stunning, but the scale can be harder for kids to “get,” and many overlooks have sheer drop-offs.

How much is the timed entry ticket for Arches?
Timed entry tickets are free, but NPS states there is a non-refundable $2 reservation processing fee per day.

What if I want to hike the Fiery Furnace?
Fiery Furnace requires a separate permit. This itinerary skips it because it can take a half-day by itself.

Ready to Explore Moab? Grab the Official NPS Guides

Use the official pages and keep your trip from getting wrecked by policy changes.

Next step: Share this guide with your travel partners, pack your headlamp and water, and build your days around the desert instead of fighting it.

Featured Image Credit: National Park Service