Riding here
Arches is a road ride: the scenic drive climbs switchbacks out of the visitor center and rolls past Balanced Rock and the Windows to Devils Garden, with sandstone fins on both sides. Go at first light, before the tour buses and RVs. For something rougher, two dirt roads on the park's quieter west side suit mountain bikes, and Moab's world-famous singletrack is ten minutes away outside the park.
Where you can ride
Bikes may use every paved and unpaved road in the park. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs dirt roads see little traffic but have washboard, deep sand and other obstacles, so they suit mountain bikes. A paved bike path runs from Moab to the park entrance and continues along US 191 to UT 313.
Where you can't
No riding on trails or anywhere off a road, including slickrock.
Rides
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Arches Scenic Drive
- Road
- Entrance to Devils Garden and back
- Paved
- Hard
The main park road, with a stiff climb up the switchbacks above the visitor center and rolling miles past the park's best-known viewpoints. There's no shoulder, so ride early.
Start: Arches Visitor Center
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Salt Valley Road
- Mountain bike
- Dirt, washboard and sand
- Moderate
A lonely dirt road down Salt Valley toward Klondike Bluffs. Washboard and sand patches make wide tires the right call.
Start: Off the main road near Devils Garden
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Willow Springs Road
- Mountain bike
- Dirt and sand
- Moderate
An old wagon route on the park's west side with deep sand in places; best on a mountain bike.
Start: Near Balanced Rock
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Moab Canyon Pathway
- Paved path
- Moab to the park entrance
- Paved
- Easy
A separated paved path that lets you ride from town to the gate without US 191 traffic, continuing past the park toward UT 313.
Start: Moab
When to go
Spring and fall are prime. Summer afternoons are hot and exposed, and winter brings occasional ice on the switchbacks.
Safety
There are no bike lanes or paved shoulders; the narrowest stretch is the switchbacks just above the visitor center, which you can skip by driving to La Sal Mountains Viewpoint and starting there. Expect large buses and RVs. Signs ask drivers to give cyclists three feet. Carry plenty of water; there is little shade.
E-bikes
E-bikes are allowed wherever regular bikes are; the park's compendium has the detailed rules. Southeast Utah's parks opened to e-bikes in 2019.
Fees and reservations
Arriving by bike, you pay the park's individual (per-person) entrance fee, normally valid for 7 days, or ride in on an annual or America the Beautiful pass. Amounts change, so check the park's Fees & Passes page.
Arches has used a seasonal timed-entry system for vehicles in recent years. The NPS biking page doesn't say whether cyclists need a ticket, so check the park's timed-entry page before you ride in.
Rentals, tours and shuttles
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Your bike shop hereSample listing
This spot is for one rental shop, guide service or shuttle near Arches: your name, what you offer, and a link straight to your booking page, at the top of this section.
Feature your shop on this page, free until spring 2027
Run a shop near Arches? Add it here.
Sources
Checked November 2026 against these sources. Rules, closures and fees change; confirm with the park before you ride.
Edited by David Bussell. Spot something out of date? Tell us.