By Chuck Price. Last updated: July 25, 2025
TL;DR: Your Moab Plan in 90 Seconds
Stressed about Arches’ timed-entry tickets? Don’t be. This guide reveals the “Moab Double-Play” strategy: enter Arches before the 7 am ticket window to hike iconic trails like Delicate Arch, then spend your afternoons exploring the vast, crowd-free overlooks of Canyonlands. This 3-day plan maximizes your time, beats the heat, and completely removes the need to fight for a reservation. You’ll get:
- A step-by-step daily itinerary
- The exact strategy to legally bypass the Arches reservation system
- Links to the official NPS Arches Map and other essential guides.
This open-source plan gives you the keys to Moab for free. Read-time: 8 minutes.
What Is the Moab ‘Double-Play’ Itinerary?
It’s a strategic approach to visiting Moab’s two national parks that uses the parks’ own rules to your advantage. The core idea is to “split the day.” You’ll visit the most popular park, Arches, during its coolest and quietest hours—before the timed-entry crowds arrive. Then, you’ll spend the hot afternoon exploring the grand, expansive vistas of Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district, which is larger and absorbs crowds much more effectively. From personal experience, this strategy not only saves you the headache of reservations but also aligns your activities with the desert’s natural rhythm.
Answer Capsule: The Moab “Double-Play” is a 3-day itinerary that combines early-morning, ticket-free visits to Arches National Park with afternoon explorations of Canyonlands National Park. This strategy allows visitors to legally bypass the Arches timed-entry system by entering before 7 am, avoiding the worst heat and crowds.
Why You Can’t ‘Wing It’ in Moab in 2025
Spontaneity in Moab is a thing of the past. The primary reason is the Pilot Timed Entry System at Arches National Park. To manage overwhelming demand, the NPS requires tickets for entry during peak hours. I’ve personally experienced the stress of logging onto Recreation.gov at 8 AM sharp, only to see every slot for a given day vanish in under a minute. Without a ticket or a strategy, you simply will not get into the park during prime time. This plan is your strategy.
Answer Capsule: A plan is essential for Moab in 2025 because Arches National Park requires timed-entry tickets for entry between 7 am and 4 pm from April 1–July 6 and August 28–Oct 31, 2025. These tickets are available on Recreation.gov and sell out almost instantly, making a “wing it” approach impossible during these dates.
The ‘Beat the Ticket’ Moab Itinerary — A Step-by-Step Guide
This plan assumes you are staying in or near Moab and have purchased your park passes online ahead of time. Pack headlamps, lots of water, and snacks for each day.
Day 1: Arches AM / Canyonlands PM
- Morning (6:00 AM): Get up early. Be at the Arches entrance gate by 6:30 AM to ensure you are inside before the 7 am cutoff. Drive straight to the Windows Section.
- Hike (7:00 AM – 9:30 AM): Explore North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. These are short, easy trails, and you’ll see them all in the beautiful morning light before the tour buses arrive.
- Late Morning (10:00 AM): Exit Arches and drive 45 minutes to Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district.
- Afternoon (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM): Drive the scenic road in Canyonlands. Stop at every overlook. The scale is immense. Hike the easy 1-mile trail to the iconic Mesa Arch. Have a picnic lunch at the Grand View Point Overlook.
Day 2: Delicate Arch & The Devil’s Garden
- Morning (6:00 AM): Another early start. Be inside Arches by 6:30 AM. Drive directly to the Delicate Arch Trailhead.
- Hike (7:00 AM – 10:00 AM): Hike the 3-mile roundtrip trail to Delicate Arch. Doing this in the cool morning is a game-changer; the final climb is exposed and brutal in the afternoon sun. You’ll have the world’s most famous arch with far fewer people.
- Late Morning (10:30 AM – 1:00 PM): Drive to the end of the park road to the Devils Garden area. Hike the flat, paved trail to see Landscape Arch.
- Afternoon: Rest. Go back into Moab for a late lunch, refuel on water, and escape the peak desert heat.
Day 3: Canyonlands Sunrise & A State Park Sunset
- Morning (5:30 AM): Today, you’ll see why Canyonlands is a worthy destination on its own. Drive to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands for a truly world-class sunrise. Be prepared for crowds of photographers, but the view is worth it.
- Late Morning: Explore other parts of Canyonlands you may have missed, like the Upheaval Dome or Aztec Butte trails.
- Afternoon/Evening: Exit Canyonlands and drive 15 minutes to Dead Horse Point State Park. This park is NOT part of the national park system and has a separate entrance fee, but its main overlook provides one of the most stunning sunset views in all of Utah.
A Note on the July & August “No-Ticket” Window
The gap in the reservation system from July 7 to August 27 is a strategic opportunity. While tickets are not required, this is the hottest time of year. The “Beat the Ticket” strategy is still the best strategy. An early start avoids life-threatening afternoon heat on exposed trails.
Pro Tip: Cell service is non-existent in most of both parks. Download your park maps and this itinerary from the official NPS website and to your phone before you leave Moab.
3 Common Mistakes to Avoid in the Desert
- Not Enough Water: This is the most critical rule. The dry air and sun will dehydrate you faster than you can imagine. The Fix: Carry a minimum of 1 gallon (4 liters) of water per person for a full day of activity. Don’t just leave it in the car; carry it with you on the trails.
- Ignoring Trail Warnings: If a sign says a trail is “strenuous” or “primitive,” believe it. The Fix: Honestly assess your group’s fitness level. The Devils Garden Primitive Loop or Upheaval Dome are not casual strolls.
- Busting the Crust: That lumpy, black soil you see everywhere is alive! It’s called cryptobiotic soil, and it’s essential to the desert ecosystem. The Fix: Stay on marked trails at all times. One footprint can destroy decades of growth.
Expert Insight: The ‘Secret’ Moab Triple Crown
We asked a local photographer for her take on the perfect Moab trip. Her response was immediate:
“Everyone does the two national parks, but they miss the grand finale. For the best sunset of your life, go to Dead Horse Point State Park. The view of the Colorado River wrapping around the gooseneck is, in my opinion, even more dramatic than the Grand Canyon. Doing Arches at dawn, Canyonlands mid-day, and Dead Horse at dusk is the real Moab Triple Crown.”
FAQ: Your Top Moab Questions Answered
What are the 2025 dates for Arches timed entry? Timed entry is required on the following dates: April 1–July 6, and August 28–Oct 31, 2025.
Can I really just drive in before 7 am without a ticket? Yes. The timed-entry system is only enforced for entry between 7 am and 4 pm. The park itself is open 24/7. Arriving early is the official, sanctioned way to visit without a timed-entry reservation.
Which park is better for kids? Arches is generally better for younger children. The trails in the Windows Section and to Sand Dune Arch are short, easy, and offer big rewards. Canyonlands’ scale can be harder for kids to appreciate, and many overlooks have sheer, unfenced drop-offs.
How much is the timed-entry ticket for Arches? The reservation from Recreation.gov has a non-refundable $2 service fee. You will also need a separate park entrance pass, which is good for seven days for both Arches and Canyonlands.
What if I want to hike the Fiery Furnace? The Fiery Furnace is a maze-like area that requires a separate permit, available via lottery on Recreation.gov. This itinerary does not include the Fiery Furnace, which requires a half-day on its own.
Ready to Explore Moab? — Grab the Official NPS Guides
The best adventures start with the best information. The National Park Service provides everything you need—free, authoritative, and essential for your trip.
Next step: share this guide with your travel partners, pack your water bottle and headlamp, and get ready to beat the crowds. Enjoy the desert!
Featured Image Credit: National Park Service
