We Took The Road Less Traveled Into Arches National Park

With approximately 1.5 million annual visitors, you might find yourself waiting in a line to enter Arches National Park. If you only have so much time to spend exploring and taking in the red sandstone rocks, you likely don’t want to spend a single minute stuck in a line.

Today, we’ll share how we avoided the line and took the road less traveled into Arches National Park (although it may not have saved us time). Read on to learn why!

We Took a ‘Secret’ Off-Road Entrance to Arches National Park

To get in through the “secret” entrance to Arches National Park, use Willow Springs Road. You’ll turn east off Highway 191 onto Willow Springs Road, and after about four miles, the road will end at Balance Rock. Shortly after you enter the road, you’ll come to a large sign marking the park’s boundary.

Here is a MAP of this route if you are interested in taking it.

Along this route, you will also come to the willow springs dinosaur track site that has a set of preserved dinosaur tracks in the rock.

Overall this route was easy for our truck but the route was a slow go in places and we stopped at the dinosaur tracks. Overall it took us about 45 minutes to get in this way, probably longer than the line.

This allows you to bypass the line and the toll booth station. While we understand avoiding the inconvenience of a long line, we don’t recommend skipping out on paying admission fees. Only use this entrance if you have an interagency or annual park pass. We get this pass every year and highly recommend it.

What Kind of Vehicle Can Enter on This Road?

To traverse this road, you need a 4×4 vehicle with high clearance. You may be able to do this route with a high clearance 2×4 but you should be experienced with off-road driving. A sedan or crossover vehicle most likely would not have the clearance for this route.

The deep sandy ruts and loose rocks will do a number on any vehicle not designed for off-roading. It only takes one large rock to puncture your oil pan or high center your vehicle before you’ll need to call a tow truck. The limited cell service may make it difficult to get a tow, and it will cost you a pretty penny.

Also, remember that ATVs, OHVs, and UTVs are not permitted in the national park.

About Arches National Park and Moab, Utah

Arches National Park is home to over 2,000 arches cut from the sandstone landscapes. As the wind continues to carve and cut through the rocks, new arches often replace ancient ones that have fallen. You can pretty much see one from any vantage point.

You can easily enjoy Arches National Park by driving the 36-mile round trip scenic route. You’ll have plenty of hiking opportunities, no matter your physical condition or skill level.

Some of the most popular hikes include Delicate Arch, Devil’s Garden Loop, and the Fiery Furnace. However, seeing Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world, has a very long and strenuous 7-mile loop. 

While many flock to Moab to visit the national park, it’s also one of the premier spots for off-roading. Much like the hiking trails at Arches, Moab has plenty of trails to offer even novice drivers. As it’s home to some of the roughest and toughest off-roading trails, make sure you do your research to avoid finding yourself in a sticky situation. 

Is It Illegal to Not Use the Main Park Entrance?

While national parks typically have a main park entrance, many also have alternative ones. These entrances are popular options for locals to access parks without worrying about battling crowds. Some national parks even have landing strips or allow seaplanes or boats to access them as well.

Using them is typically legal, but visiting the park will require admission. If you don’t have a park or annual interagency pass, you’ll want to stop by the visitor center or ranger station to pay any admission fees. 

➡ You may have entered the park legally, but are you breaking other national park rules? Find out: 11 National Park Etiquette Rules You’re Probably Breaking

Arches Timed Reservation System

Arches is implementing a new program to try and limit visitation and keep lines down called a timed reservation system. While it was not in effect when we visited they are trying it starting in 2022 and you will need a reservation to get in during the busiest months.

According to Kaitlyn Thomas a Public Affairs Specialist for Arches; “The NPS is implementing this system as a temporary pilot to determine if timed entry will help better manage traffic and congestion during the peak season”

Keep this in mind if you choose to use the back entrance as you may still need to have a reservation. Learn more at the national park website.

Will You Get in Trouble if You Don’t Pay the Entrance Fee?

You won’t always have someone checking if you paid after you pass through a fee station at a national park. Park rangers are incredibly busy and typically don’t have time to question every visitor. However, just because you won’t get caught doesn’t mean you should break the rules.

We had the America the Beautiful annual pass, which covered our admission. So whether we used the main park entrance at Arches or not, we weren’t shorting the National Park Service.

If you plan to use one of the non-main entrances, we strongly suggest purchasing an annual pass. This helps avoid any potential trouble and financially supports the National Park System and maintains the lands.

Did You Know? Supporting the National Park System also helps protect and maintain national monuments.

Are There Other Secret Entrances into Arches National Park?

Arches National Park lists only one main entrance. While you can access “secret” entrances, they typically require special vehicles and sometimes even experience with off-roading.

There is a second route to get into the park from the north as well. We did not take this route.

Be mindful of the fragile soil crust in the area. Don’t disturb the cryptobiotic soil by off-roading or with foot traffic. You should avoid creating new paths and only use designated roads and trails. 

Is Sneaking Into a National Park Worth It?

An alternative entrance can be worth it if you travel to a national park during peak season. You’ll avoid some large crowds and have more time to explore. You may even see new places that most travelers miss. 

Just keep in mind that alternative routes to visit national parks may require travel on unmaintained routes.

In addition to Arches, Utah has four other incredible national parks. So, which ones should you visit? Find out here: What Are The Best Utah National Parks?

Read More From The Mortons:

• What Are The Best Utah National Parks?
• 6 Best Kanab RV Parks for Visiting Utah National Parks
• How to Plan an Epic RV Trip to the Grand Canyon
• What Gear Do You Need for Overlanding? 11 Top Essentials

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