Denver to Arches National Park drive: Best stops, distance & time
The distance from Denver to Arches National Park is 351 miles, with a 5h28m driving time. The best road trip stops on the Denver to Arches National Park drive are Vail, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.
Planning a Denver to Arches National Park road trip itinerary
The drive from Denver to Arches National Park takes you from the capital of Colorado to one of the most spectacular national parks in Utah.
Top Denver experiences include Rocky Mountain National Park day tours, downtown Denver food tours and chilling guided ghost walks around the Cheeseman Park cemetery.
Also worth considering are whiskey and history tours, guided mountain hikes and craft beer tours.
Memorable Denver accommodation options include the charming Queen Anne Bed and Breakfast and the strikingly stylish Ramble.
Arches National Park, famed for its natural rock arches in a sandstone desert setting, is just outside Moab in Utah.
All-action Moab offers 4×4 adventures in Arches National Park, rafting on the Colorado River, half day trips into the rugged ranges of Canyonlands National Park and e-bike petroglyph tours. For other Moab experiences, try drive-your-own-Jeep tours, canyoneering adventures and paddleboarding on the Colorado.
Of the Moab accommodation options, the Moab Resort offers style and panache and the Inca Inn is a solid, affordable motel.
Denver to Arches National Park distance and driving time
By car, the distance from Denver to Arches National Park is 351 miles. You can expect a driving time of around five hours and 28 minutes. The quickest route is via the I-70 and US-191.
The best stops to add to a Denver to Arches National Park road trip itinerary are Vail, Glenwood Springs and Grand Junction.
Best stops between Denver and Arches National Park: Vail
Purpose-built, European-style ski village Vail is the biggest ski resort in Colorado, and arguably gets the best of the conditions. This is particularly the case with the legendary powder in the Back Bowl.
But a major part of the appeal is that you don’t have to strap on the skis at all. Top Vail experiences include Segway tours, snow sledding and downhill mountain bike tours. You can also try fly-fishing trips and escape rooms.
Compare prices for Vail accommodation here.
- For more suggestions, see the guide to the Denver to Vail drive.
Denver to Arches National Park road trip attractions: Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs CO is a mountain resort town, famous for its hot springs. For a soak, try the Iron Mountain Hot Springs or Glenwood Hot Springs Resort.
Walkers can take on the hikes to Doc Holliday’s Grave or the photogenic Hanging Lake, while the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park offers cave tours and thrill rides.
It’s also a great spot for rafting on the Colorado River. Choose between a gentle half day float through the canyon or tackling the rapids on a whitewater adventure.
Due to the massive hot springs pool, the Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is the best place to stay in Glenwood Springs. But you may be able to get better deals on alternative accommodation in the town.
Denver to Arches National Park drive: Grand Junction
Grand Junction has several craft breweries to enjoy, but it is also the main hub of Colorado’s wine industry. The Whitewater Hill Vineyards is a good spot for tastings.
On the museums front, the Eureka McConnell Science Museum is all about button-pushing discovery. The Museum of the West covers regional history.
The highlight of Grand Junction, however, is the Colorado National Monument. Here, the 23-mile Rim Rock Drive connects stunning mesas and canyons for a proper taste of the American West.
For overnight Grand Junction accommodation, the La Quinta Inn and Hotel Maverick are really well-reviewed by guests.
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