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Best Places To Stay Near Arches National Park Revealed

Are you planning a trip to the stunning red rock wonderland of Arches National Park? Excellent choice. Prepare to have your socks metaphorically (or maybe literally) knocked off by colossal sandstone arches, precarious balancing rocks, and landscapes that look like they were plucked straight out of a sci-fi movie.

This is the kind of place that makes you feel tiny in the most inspiring way possible. But before you get too lost in daydreams about epic hikes and magical sunsets, let’s talk about an important detail…where the heck are you going to stay?

Thankfully, when it comes to the best places to stay near Arches National Park, you’ve got some solid options.

Want to channel your inner camper and sleep under the stars? There is a fantastic campground in the park, Devilโ€™s Garden Campground, though heads-up – youโ€™ll need to book way in advance because everyone and their dog apparently wants to stay there.

Or if youโ€™re more into comfort (hey, no judgment here), Moab is the go-to town for cozy hotels, charming B&Bs, and even a few swanky vacation rentals. So, let’s take a look.


Short On Time? Here’s The Scoop

Your Quick Guide On Where To Stay Near Arches National Park

Lodging In The Park Itself: No
RV Camping In The Park: Yes, One Campground
Tent Camping In The Park: Yes, One Campground
Closest City For Hotels: Moab, Utah

Arches National Park Lodging

Let’s rip off this band-aid right away – thereโ€™s no actual lodging inside Arches National Park. No cozy inns situated among the arches, no luxury desert retreats where someone leaves you a complimentary cactus-shaped chocolate on your pillow. Zilch. Nada. You’re on your own for that one.

But donโ€™t despair. There’s a treasure trove of options just outside the park boundaries. The town of Moab, located only about five miles from the park’s entrance, is your best bet (and we are going to discuss it along with another option below).

A breathtaking shot of Turret Arch framed through the North Window Arch in Arches National Park, with golden sunlight illuminating the rugged red rock landscape.
ยฉ Shutterstock

Arches National Park RV Camping

Now, for those of you saying, โ€œHotels? Ha! Give me the great outdoors!โ€ I hear you. And Iโ€™ve got just the spot for you – Devils Garden Campground, which sounds intimidating but is actually heaven on earth for adventure seekers.

Positioned about 18 miles from the park’s entrance, this campground is your only camping option within Arches National Park itself. Youโ€™ll be tucked away amid jaw-droppingly cool slickrock outcroppings, and waking up to that view? Well worth the early morning scramble to turn off your screeching alarm.

Quick heads-up, though – this place is popular. Like, book-it-six-months-in-advance popular.

From March 1 to October 31, youโ€™ll need to reserve your spot beforehand unless youโ€™ve somehow mastered time travel and can snag a reservation from the past.

During the off-season (November 1 to February 28), itโ€™s first come, first served…ideal for the impromptu winter camper crowd (all five of you).

The Basics

  • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire rings, grills, drinking water (so you donโ€™t perish), and both pit-style and fancy flush toilets. However – brace yourself for this – no electric hookups, no showers, and zero cell service. Yes, youโ€™ll actually have to talk to your camping buddies.
  • Camp Sites: Devils Garden offers 51 sites, including two group ones for all your โ€œbring-my-whole-extended-familyโ€ fantasies. Fires are allowed, but only in designated fire rings, and youโ€™ll need to purchase firewood through the park bookstore.
  • Off-Season Info: Winter camping here has its perks – cooler temps, fewer crowds…but also fewer amenities. Ice sales? Camp store? HA. Bring your own supplies, Captain Wilderness.

Devils Garden Campground is not the place for glampers or five-star dining enthusiasts; itโ€™s rustic, remote, and rugged.

Oh, and let’s not forget you wonโ€™t have food storage lockers. Translation? Anything left out becomes an invitation for the world’s sassiest squirrels to throw a party with your snacks.

dramatic perspective of a natural sandstone arch with a lone person standing in the distance, emphasizing the scale and grandeur of the rock formations.
ยฉ Canva Pro

Arches National Park Camping (In Tents)

Tent camping – the ultimate return to the wild, where you voluntarily downgrade your living situation to a glorified piece of fabric on the ground. Charming, right? But hey, itโ€™s all part of the experience.

At Arches National Park, the tent camping is located in (drumroll, please) the exact same campground as the RV sites. That means all those oh-so-luxurious โ€œamenitiesโ€ we talked about earlier…like no cell service and the blissful reality of remembering to pack your coffee, also apply here.

Youโ€™ll need to bring all your essentials because, spoiler alert, thereโ€™s no secret tent-only snack shack hiding in the park (tragic, I know).

And the same rules also apply, which means youโ€™re still expected to respect your camping neighbors and the park itself. Quiet hours? Check. No leaving your bag of Dorito crumbs on the ground for wildlife? Double check.

But hereโ€™s the upside – nothing beats waking up to those jaw-dropping sandstone formations and that fresh desert air while you zip open your tent. Just try not to think about the fact that youโ€™re basically a burrito for the elements.

Best Places to Stay Near Arches National Park

Don’t feel like camping and don’t have an RV? Or maybe youโ€™re more โ€œfluffy duvet and running waterโ€ than โ€œrock-hard tent floor and questionable bodily hygiene”?

Totally get it. So, let’s explore the closest cities with accommodations near Arches National Park – where you can get a nice, comfy night’s sleep.

A famous sandstone arch standing prominently against a colorful sunset sky with distant mountain peaks. The arch's striking red-orange color contrasts with the cool blues of the background.
ยฉ Shutterstock

Moab

Moab isnโ€™t just your gateway to red rock heaven; itโ€™s a buzzing little hub that somehow manages to toe the line between rugged charm and tourist trap. And youโ€™ll find every type of accommodation here, from soft-pretzel-budget motels to bougie boutique spots where the pillows are fluffier than your post-hike calves.

Located just a stoneโ€™s throw (okay, more like a 5-mile drive) from the entrance to Arches National Park, Moab is absurdly convenient for those who like early-morning starts and late-night pizza runs.

Speaking of which, the townโ€™s got some decent eats, quirky shops to snag an overpriced but irresistibly cute cactus mug, and enough outdoor gear stores to outfit an amateur mountaineer several times over.

๐Ÿ› Fancy Option: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection by Hilton

This place is all the things – fancy AF while still injecting some of that wild-west desert charm.

Did someone say bar? Yup. After chasing arches all day, you can sip a craft cocktail while staring at the very landscape you just conquered.

Also, think of upscale decor with just the right dose of โ€œunfinished wood meets luxury linensโ€ and a killer spa for your post-hike back spasms.

Itโ€™s smack in the middle of Moab, so easy access to local breweries, shops selling overpriced hiking socks, and your morning espresso shot/artisanal muffin combo at the cafe around the corner.

๐Ÿ› Mid Option: The Gonzo Inn

Youโ€™re not ready to drop “luxury retreat” coin, but do you also think โ€œthreadbare motel carpetโ€ could be a horror movie title? Enter the Gonzo Inn, the middle-ground hero of Moab lodging.

Itโ€™s got a funky, retro vibe with rooms that are roomy (pun intended), colorful, and, thankfully, boast actual character. Plus, thereโ€™s a pool, so you can cool off after hiking under the Utah sun and pretend youโ€™re at a mid-century resort.

Itโ€™s pet-friendly, too, meaning you donโ€™t have to leave Fido behind while exploring the area. And it’s just a five-minute jaunt to Moabโ€™s bustling main drag.

A scenic road leads towards the towering red rock formations known as the Courthouse Towers, bathed in warm sunlight, with striking rock pinnacles nearby.
ยฉ Shutterstock

๐Ÿ› Budget Option: Adventure Inn & Motel

Budget travelers, this one is for you. Itโ€™s clean, comfy, and costs less than that jacket you stress-bought for your trip.

Family-owned with staff thatโ€™ll make you feel like an old friend…though hopefully not the kind that overstays their welcome.

Plus, free coffee and hot chocolate, and a fridge in your room for stashing snacks, beers…or tiny bottles of creamer youโ€™re hoarding for reasons unknown.

It’s also just a hop and a skip from Moabโ€™s main street. So, youโ€™re set for easy access to town essentials and no long detour away from those glorious Arches sunrise hikes.

โžก๏ธ Click Here For Other Moab Options

Spanish Valley

If youโ€™re the kind of traveler who reads reviews and says, โ€œUgh, too many people,โ€ then Spanish Valley is calling your name.

Itโ€™s quieter, more laid-back, and just a smidge south of Moab (like, a 10-minute drive…barely enough time to pick out a playlist). And it’s perfect for soaking up the stunning red rock landscapes without hearing Bob from Idaho yell about his favorite protein powder in the middle of your dinner.

Bonus? Itโ€™s still close enough to Arches National Park, so you can spend your days hiking and snapping pics without a big commute – just a short 15-20 minute drive.

There aren’t nearly as many options as Moab has since this is mainly a residential community. But you will be able to find a few pricier B&Bs or vacation house rentals rather than hotels in this area.

๐Ÿ› Fancy Option: Shack Private Home & Hot Tub

Who needs 500-thread count sheets when you can stay in a private home with your own hot tub?

This luxurious little stay is nestled in Spanish Valley, offering stunning views and the ultimate relaxation after a day of hiking. Plus, youโ€™ll have your own kitchen to whip up some tasty meals and save on dining out every night.

And that hot tub? Well, let’s just say that soaking under the stars while sipping wine sounds pretty dreamy.

And it’s just a short drive from Moab and its amenities…but far enough to enjoy some peace and quiet.


  • Discover More: Now that you are comfortable with your accommodations, why not check out the easiest hikes in Arches where you won’t break a sweat… at least as far as we know.

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