Embracing Timed Entry at Arches National Park

When it started raining in Moab on July 3, 2025, Rhonda and I made a spontaneous decision to head into Arches National Park. As a photographer, I’ve learned that storm light is often the best light in the desert Southwest - those dramatic skies and wet sandstone glow like nothing else. And after living in Moab since the last century, we know that summer rain showers rarely last longer than 20 minutes.

From April-October Arches operates under a timed entry reservation system (currently between 7am - 4 pm, although the system is not used between July 7th and August 27th). We’d never actually used it before since we usually visit at sunrise or sunset - times when reservations aren’t required. But this time, our impromptu outing happened squarely within that window.

So how much of a hassle was it?

None. At all.

I opened the Recreation.gov app, and within a minute had a $2 entry ticket for the upcoming hour. Simple, fast, and digital - no printer, no drama. I even added the pass to my digital wallet on my iPhone since there are no guarantees of cell phone service at the entrance booth. And just to put that in perspective: we’re both in our 60s, and it still felt effortless.

We’ve probably visited Arches close to a hundred times over the years, and around a decade ago we started noticing more and more congestion - packed parking lots and overflowing trailheads. But not this time. On this visit there was less than a ten minute wait at the entrance booth, plenty of parking, no crowds and a much more relaxed atmosphere.

Honestly? We love Timed Entry.

It’s made one of our favorite national parks feel peaceful again. If you’re on the fence, give it a try. Embrace Timed Entry - it might just be the best two bucks you spend all year.

Just in case you’re interested, here is the dashcam video from our visit.  You’ll see plenty of parking and some stormy light.  Note that I rendered it at twice normal speed, so make sure to observe local speed limits during your visit.  If you don’t get vertigo you can speed up the YouTube version by 2X as well. 

Make your Arches National Park Timed Entry Reservation here: recreation.gov/timed-entry/10088426