Want to know what to wear in Arches National park? Well our Arches Packing list tells you EXACTLY what to wear and what to pack for Arches National Park no matter whether you are traveling in Summer, Spring or Fall.
Outside of Winter, you can expect Arches to be a hot and as such you need to prepare for extreme temperatures for when hiking.
Most visitors to Arches National Park tend to visit between the months of April and November and this guide is aimed at those visitors.
In this guide we will tell you
- What the weather is like in Arches month by month
- What to wear in Arches for hiking, water activities and more and
- other travel essentials to pack Arches National Park.
Note: this Arches packing list is not intended as a Arches camping packing list, instead for those spending their days in the park. If you plan to camp in the national park check out this post.
Weather in Arches National Park by Season
But before we get into what to wear and travel essentials for Arches National Park it is important to know what the weather is going to be like. And while you are in the desert and you can expect warm temperatures, there is variation between the seasons.
Summer in Arches is when you will see the crowds and the temperatures soar. Summer is classified as June, July and August with July and August being the hottest months in the park.
During Summer you can expect temperatures to range from average lows of 50F to highs of over 100F at midday. But out in the desert with little to no shade trust me it can feel even hotter. These temperatures can make even short hike challenges so it is important to plan your day to be out of the parks in the worse of the heat.
It is also very important to have light layers made of natural fabrics which are breathable in the heat.
The shoulder seasons of Fall and Spring are classified as September, October and November, and March, April and May respectively and are slightly more pleasant to hike in. In most of these months the highs average around 60 to 80 F and with average lows of 30 to 50 F.
What to wear in Arches National Park (year round)
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So now you know about the weather, we will tell you what to wear in Arches no matter the time of year you are travel.
It is also worth noting that while we traditionally create packing lists separated out by gender to allow for dress codes and fashion, however practicality is key to any Arches packing list so this list is universal. And we really can’t stress enough the importance of natural fabrics. Also while tank top and short sleeves can be tempting, it is also worth thinking about some long sleeve tops that can protect your skin from the sun.
But we always recommend packing the below no matter the time of year you are traveling:
Layers
Layers are your best friend in Arches. Even though the temperatures in Arche get very high in the midday sun, if can feel very chilly when you are out early in the morning. And we definitely recommend seeing sunrise in the park. Not only is it breathtaking but it also is a great way to beat the crowds in the park.
I also always travel to all National parks with a fleece as a top layer. Although hoodies and sweaters are fine, I personally like fleeces as they are easy to pack away when not needed and are also quick drying.
T Shirts
T shirts are my favorite base layer for Arches. We recommend packing only tops that are made of natural fabric to reduce sweating and we always stick with t shirts with some sleeve as opposed to tank tops. That is because the sun is strong in arches and you don’t want your shoulders to burn.
Shorts/ Pants
For all national parks I recommend wearing convertible walking trousers. These can be worn as full length trousers during early mornings when it may be cool but convery to shorts for walking in the heat.
Hat
The sun is strong in Arches particularly in the summer. For this reason we always recommend packing a hat for hiking in the park. Hats with a wide brim are better than baseball caps as they provide more protection from the sun.
Hiking Socks
Even though the temperatures are high, we prefer hiking boots over sandals or sneakers in Arches especially if you plan to hike some of the primitive trailheads or do longer ones such as to Delicate Arch.. And if you are wearing hiking boots you will also want good quality hiking socks with you which can help prevent blisters.
Best Shoes to wear in Arches National Park
So now you know what to wear, we turn our attention to footwear.
Hiking Shoes
Now not every national park visit will need hiking boots, we recommend them for Arches. However just be sure to pack a light weigh pair that are breathable and are good for hot weather.
Sneakers
On top of hiking boots I also recommend packing sneakers. I like to wear these in towns around Arches such as Moab.
Hiking Sandals
I personally like boots over sandals as they offer more protection for your feet. However if you aren’t concerned for this and want to keep your feet cool then walking sandals are a great pick. My favorite brand of walking sandals are Teva.
What to pack for Arches National Park packing list
Day pack
I always take a daypack to any national park I visit. My favorite backpack brand is Columbia but this is a purely personal choice.
Power Bank
Days are long in Arches and you will use your phone a lot for photos, navigation and more. On top of these the lack of cell signal drains your battery too. For this reason we recommend having a fully charged power bank with you to recharge your phone during the day.
Sun protection
The sun can be strong in Arches. For this reason we recommend packing a good quality sun screen with you and remember to reapply regularly on hikes.
Sunglasses
It is important to protect your eyes.
Reusable Water Bottle and Extra Water
We recommend always having a reuable water bottle for national parks however this is especially important when you are visiting Arches. We also recomomend packng extra water as you don’t want to become dehydrated in the park.
Coffee Thermos and Mug
Your days start early in Arches National Park to beat the crowds, the heat and to catch those beautiful sunrises. To make the early start easier we recommend packing a coffee thermos and mug so you can get your caffeine hit in the park.
Snacks
Refreshment stops are extremely limited in Arches so we recommend taking plenty of snacks into the park with you and potentially a packed lunch also.
First Aid Kit
Although no one wants to use a first aid kit on vacation, it is a good idea to pack a first aid kit with you on any national park vacation just in case especially if you plan on going on more remote hikes..
Map
Whether this is a downloaded map on your phone or a physical one it is worth having a map with you that shows the trailheads you plan on taking.
Camera
Arches is absolutely breathtaking so trust me when I say that you will want a camerawith you.
Toilet Paper, Hand Sanitizer and a She wee
The toilets in any national park outside of the main visitor center tend to be pretty primitive. For this reason we recommend packing toilet paper, hand sanitizer and a she wee with you.
What not to pack for Arches National Park
So now you know what to pack for Arches, we will turn our attention to what not to pack.
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics are not your friend in Arches, especially if you are visiting in summer or the shoulder seasons. Synthetic fabrics make you sweat more and this is something you definitely do not want in summer.
Drones
Drones are classified as unmanned aircrafts and are as such prohibited from being flown in the park boundaries.
Complete Arches Packing Checklist
- Layers
- T Shirts
- Shorts
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Hiking Boots
- Shoes – either sneakers or hiking sandals
- Backpack
- camera
- binoculars
- map
- sun protection
- coffee thermos and mug
- resuable water bottle
- food
- first aid kit
FAQs about what to pack for Arches National Park
So now you have your general Arches National Park we will answer your frequently asked questions:
What to wear for hiking in Arches National Park?
We recommend wearing lots of loose layers made of natural fabrics. Zipplable trousers are your friend for the change in temperatures and jeeping your shoulders covered with at least a cap sleeve is a good idea to help prevent sun burn.
And I would never enter the park without sunglasses, a wide brimmed hat and sun protection as well as adequate water.
What to wear in Springdale?
Springdale is the nearest town to Zion and is a popular choice for accomodation if you decide not to stay in the park. However the good news is Springdale isn’t a particularly formal place therefore you can wear trousers and nice tops easily when going out for dinner in the town.
Further National Park Reading
And if you plan on visiting other national parks be sure to check out our other national park guides:
- Capitol Reef packing list
- Death Valley packing list
- Grand Canyon Packing List
- Joshua Tree Packing List
- What to wear to Yellowstone National Park in Summer
- What to wear in Yosemite National Park in Summer
- What to wear in Zion
What else would you add to this list? And if you have any questions leave them in the comments below and we will get back to you as soon as we can.