Arches NP in Spring — RV camping guide
PickRV Editorial
The small team behind PickRV
spring warmth
38°–83°F
Highlights
5
RV advisories
4
Permits
1
Spring at Arches is the comfortable window — daytime temps in the 60s-70s before summer heat. Timed-entry reservation required April-October. Wildflowers bloom in late March through early May. Delicate Arch hike (3 miles round-trip) is the signature. Devil's Garden Campground (51 sites, $30, RVs to 30 ft, no hookups) is the only in-park option. Moab has 15+ full-hookup RV parks 10 minutes away — most travelers base there.
Same park, other seasons
Pack for this
Typical weather, month by month
March
Cool · wildflowers beginning
April
Peak wildflowers · perfect hiking
May
Warming · heat building
What's special now
Highlights this season
Delicate Arch hike
3 miles round-trip across slickrock. Start 2 hours before sunset for golden light on Utah's most photographed arch.
Landscape Arch
0.8-mile easy walk to a 306-ft span. Largest arch in the park.
Windows Section
Quick loop through North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, Double Arch. Family-friendly.
Fiery Furnace (permit or tour)
Maze of fins and slot canyons. Ranger-led tour or self-permit via Recreation.gov.
Devils Garden Trail
Loops past 7+ arches. Easy section to Landscape Arch; difficult section onward.
Time it right
When to go
Best window to plan
Mid- to late April for the wildflower peak and most comfortable temperatures.
Before you tow in
RV-specific considerations
Timed-entry reservation
Required April-October (6am-5pm) via Recreation.gov. Enter the lottery a month in advance.
Devil's Garden Campground
51 sites, $30/night, 30 ft max, no hookups. Books months ahead.
Moab base option
15+ private RV parks in Moab, all 10 min to park entrance. $40-90/night with hookups.
No fuel inside park
Fuel up in Moab before entering.
Reserve ahead
Permits + reservations
Stay safe out there
Safety considerations
- Slickrock heats up fast. Even April afternoons can be brutal.
- Wind-eroded fins are dangerous to climb — stay on trail.
- Flash floods in slot canyons — check forecast.
- Cell service patchy.
- Dehydration is the #1 risk — carry water.
No surprises
Honest pricing reality
What it actually costs
Devil's Garden: $30. Moab RV parks: $40-90 spring. Fuel: standard pricing.
Quick answers
Frequently asked
Do I need a reservation to enter Arches?
Yes, April through October (6am-5pm). Timed-entry reservation via Recreation.gov, released monthly.
Can I camp inside Arches?
Devil's Garden Campground — 51 sites, RVs to 30 ft, no hookups, $30/night. Books months ahead.
When are Arches wildflowers in bloom?
Late March through early May. Globe mallow, larkspur, and Indian paintbrush peak in April.
How crowded is Arches in spring?
Busy — timed-entry helps but parking still fills at popular trailheads. Sunrise hikes beat crowds.
What the NPS site won't tell you
Locals know: the Klondike Bluffs section in the northern part of the park requires a high-clearance vehicle (4WD recommended) but offers Tower Arch, Eye of the Whale, and total solitude. Skip if you're in a Class A; perfect for off-road rig + bike combo.
Sources we checked
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