Moab: Arches Sightseeing Tour with Panoramic Van & Short Hikes

Summary

Arches sandstone shapes glow gold as you hike and ride past moab’s wild colors

You’ll ride through Arches in an open-roof van (weather permitting), take short hikes past Balanced Rock and the Windows Section, and catch those wild colors over Delicate Arch with a local guide who actually knows his stuff. Expect laughter, desert air, and views that stick with you long after you’ve left Moab.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I thought I’d seen “red rocks” before, but rolling out of Moab that morning in the panoramic van, it hit different. The glass roof slid back (only because the weather was perfect, our guide Mike grinned) and suddenly it felt like we were driving straight into the sky. You could smell sage on the breeze, dust swirling behind us as we reached Arches’ entrance just fifteen minutes from town. Everyone was quiet for a second when those first towers came into view — Courthouse Towers, Mike called them, but they looked more like old sentinels to me.

We stopped at Balanced Rock — which honestly looks like it shouldn’t still be standing — and shuffled out for a quick walk. The ground had this gritty crunch underfoot, and I kept staring up, half-expecting the rock to topple if someone sneezed too hard. Mike told stories about ancient winds shaping these fossilized dunes; he had that way of talking where you actually want to listen (even when you’re distracted by how weirdly beautiful everything is). There was this moment at Panorama Point when the La Sal Mountains just glowed behind all that red stone. I didn’t expect to feel so small or so awake at the same time.

Later we did a short hike out toward the Windows Section — North Window, South Window, Turret Arch — all these names that sound made-up until you’re standing there with your neck craned back. It’s not a tough walk (I’m not exactly an athlete), but you do need to keep moving with the group. Someone in our van tried pronouncing “Parade of Elephants” in Spanish and got everyone laughing for a solid minute. The light kept changing; sometimes the arches looked orange, then gold, then almost pinkish as clouds shifted overhead.

The last stop was Lower Delicate Arch Overlook. You can see why it’s on every Utah postcard — but seeing it from across that canyon is something else entirely. We stood there for a while without saying much; even Mike went quiet for once. I still think about that view when things get noisy back home. On the drive back to Moab, someone passed around trail mix and nobody wanted to close the roof yet. So yeah… if you want a day trip from Moab that feels both easy and kind of surreal at times, this Arches sightseeing tour is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arches National Park sightseeing tour

• Meet at Moab Tourism Center
• Drive to Arches National Park entrance
• View Courthouse Towers and landmarks
• See fossilized sand dunes
• Hike to Balanced Rock
• Enjoy views at Panorama Point
• Hike Lower Delicate Arch Overlook
• Explore The Windows Section loop hike
• Walk to base of giant arch spans
• Return to Moab Tourism Center

Top questions

How long is the Arches sightseeing tour from Moab?

The tour lasts about 4 hours from start to finish.

Is pickup included for this Arches tour?

No hotel pickup; you meet at Moab Tourism Center downtown.

How much hiking is involved on this day trip?

Total walking distance is around 1.5 miles over several short hikes.

Are snacks or drinks provided during the tour?

Yes, snacks and drinks are included in your booking.

Is park entry included in the price?

Yes, your Arches entry fee is covered as part of the tour cost.

Can people with limited mobility join this sightseeing tour?

This tour requires moderate fitness; all guests must manage short walks or hikes together.

Does the panoramic van always have an open roof?

The open-air roof system depends on weather—if conditions aren’t good, it stays closed.

What are some main sights visited on this Arches day trip?

You’ll see Courthouse Towers, Balanced Rock, Panorama Point, Delicate Arch Overlook, and Windows Section.

What’s included

Your day includes meeting at downtown Moab for easy check-in before heading out with your guide in a panoramic van (roof open if weather allows), plus all park entry fees covered along with snacks and drinks during stops. Short group hikes are woven throughout before returning to town together.