Golden Hour at Arches National Park
Utah, United States — Over 2,000 natural stone arches in the red desert.
Golden hour at Arches National Park varies from 42 minutes in the morning to 42 minutes in the evening during peak months (December, January, June). Sunrise ranges from 07:34 in January to 07:29 in December. Over 2,000 natural stone arches in the red desert. This guide shows computed sunrise, sunset, and golden hour times for every month of the year, with compass bearings to help you plan your composition. Milky Way core visibility data is included for astrophotography planning. All times are calculated with a precision astronomical engine. Use Heliora to see terrain-adjusted times from any exact vantage point.
Monthly Sun Times & Golden Hour
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Gold AM | Gold PM | Sunrise ° | Sunset ° |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 07:34 | 17:20 | 40m | 41m | 117° ESE | 243° WSW |
| Feb | 07:09 | 17:55 | 37m | 37m | 105° ESE | 254° WSW |
| Mar | 07:29 | 19:24 | 35m | 35m | 92° E | 268° W |
| Apr | 06:41 | 19:54 | 36m | 36m | 77° ENE | 283° WNW |
| May | 06:06 | 20:22 | 38m | 38m | 65° ENE | 295° WNW |
| Jun | 05:53 | 20:44 | 40m | 40m | 59° ENE | 301° WNW |
| Jul | 06:06 | 20:42 | 39m | 39m | 61° ENE | 299° WNW |
| Aug | 06:32 | 20:13 | 36m | 36m | 71° ENE | 289° WNW |
| Sep | 07:00 | 19:27 | 35m | 35m | 86° E | 275° W |
| Oct | 07:27 | 18:41 | 36m | 36m | 100° E | 260° W |
| Nov | 07:00 | 17:05 | 39m | 39m | 113° ESE | 247° WSW |
| Dec | 07:29 | 16:57 | 42m | 42m | 120° ESE | 240° WSW |
Best months for golden hour: December, January, June. Times shown for the 15th of each month.
See the sun's path with real terrain horizon for any date
Milky Way Visibility at Arches National Park
Hours of Milky Way core visibility per month (galactic center above horizon during astronomical darkness). Peak: August
| Month | Dark Sky Hours with MW Core |
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| Jan | |
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| Mar | |
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| Jun | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is golden hour at Arches National Park?
- Golden hour at Arches National Park varies by season. The longest golden hour sessions are in December, January, June. Morning golden hour lasts 42m and evening 42m during the peak month.
- What time is sunrise at Arches National Park?
- Sunrise ranges from 07:34 in January to 07:29 in December.
- What direction does the sun rise and set at Arches National Park?
- Sunrise bearing shifts from 120° ESE in winter to 59° ENE in summer. Sunset shifts from 240° WSW to 301° WNW.
- What is the best time of year to photograph Arches National Park?
- For golden hour photography, the best months are December, January, June when golden hour is longest. For Milky Way photography, the best months are August, June, July.
- What time should I arrive to photograph sunrise at Arches National Park?
- Arrive 30-45 minutes before sunrise to catch blue hour and set up. In January, that means arriving by 06:54. Use Heliora to check terrain-adjusted sunrise, as mountains may delay the actual moment the sun appears.
- Does the terrain affect sunrise or sunset times at Arches National Park?
- Yes. Mountains, ridges, and buildings can delay sunrise or bring sunset earlier than flat-earth calculations show. Use Heliora to see the real terrain horizon from any exact viewpoint and get terrain-adjusted sun times.
- Can you see the Milky Way from Arches National Park?
- Yes, the Milky Way core is visible from Arches National Park during August, June, July. Best visibility requires clear skies and minimal light pollution. Use Heliora to check exact times for your visit date.
- Is Arches National Park good for astrophotography?
- Arches National Park has up to 3 hours of dark sky with the Milky Way core visible during peak months (August, June, July). Check local light pollution conditions and plan around the new moon for best results.
Nearby Locations
- Monument Valley 198 km
- Bryce Canyon 260 km
- Antelope Canyon 260 km
- Horseshoe Bend 266 km
- Zion National Park 340 km