Arches National Park

I have been to Arches National Park a couple of times. The last time was in late March. It was a wonderful time to go because it wasn’t too cold or too hot. My husband told me that he enjoyed Arches more than the Grand Canyon because you are so close to the formations and you can touch them, while the Grand Canyon is more of a “big picture” kind of formation. We were able to hike the majority of the trails in the park. Many of the arches are very accessible and are a short hike away.

●Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches!

●Arches is 5 miles north of Moab and is close to Canyonlands National Park.

●Humans have occupied the region since the last ice age 10,000 years ago.

Things to do:

1.       Backpack: You must obtain a free backcountry permit at the visitor center.

2.       Auto touring: If you only have a couple of hours, drive to the windows section and see some of the park’s largest arches. Stop at Wolfe Ranch which is a restored homestead of John Wolfe who settled in the area in the late 1800s. It is located near the beginning of the Delicate Arch trail. Drive to the Delicate Arch viewpoint.  

3.       Bike: A bike path connects the town of Moab to the entrance of Arches. This path continues to Canyonlands and Dead Horse State Park. You can bike along the road even though there is not a path.

4.       Camp: We camped at Slick Rock outside of Moab.

5.       Canyoneering: You don’t need a permit unless you stay overnight or if the route is in the Fiery Furnace.

6.       Ranger-led programs: You can attend evening programs which are 45 minutes at Devil’s Garden Campground. Take a guided walk. Take a Fiery Furnace tour. Tickets must be obtained in advance and are $10 for adults and $5 for children. The walk lasts about three hours and is moderately strenuous. You will walk on irregular and broken sandstone, along narrow ledges, and in loose sand. Reservations can be made online at www.recreation.gov.

7.       Rock Climbing

Things to see:

1.       Balanced Rock: (.3 miles round trip) There is a loop trail around the base of a fragile, picturesque rock formation. The balancing rock is the size of three school buses!

2.       Broken Arch: (2 miles round trip including the loop) Start this hike at the Sand Dune Arch parking area.

3.       Courthouse Wash Rock Art Panel: (1 mile round trip) The trail leads to a prehistoric rock art panel.

4.       Delicate Arch Viewpoint: (100 yards round trip)

5.       Double Arch: (.5 miles round trip) This trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans which are joined at one end. This arch was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

6.       Landscape Arch: (2 miles round trip) Start this trail at the Devils Garden Trailhead parking lot. This trail leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is more than a football field in length.

7.       Sand Dune Arch: (.4 miles round trip)

8.       Skyline Arch: (.4 miles round trip)

9.       The Windows: (1 mile round trip) This trail leads to three arches (North and South Windows and Turret Arch)

 The North and South Windows

10.   Park Avenue: (2 miles round trip, 320 feet elevation gain) This trail descends into a spectacular canyon.

11.   Tower Arch: (3.4 miles round trip) Start the trail at the Klondike Bluffs parking area.

12.   Delicate Arch: (3 miles round trip, 480 feet elevation gain) This is the famous arch that is shown on the Utah license plate.

13.   Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop: (7.2 miles round trip) This trail leads to 8 arches. There are narrow ledges, and scrambling on slickrock.

14.   Double O Arch: (4 miles round trip) Start the trail at Devils Garden Trailhead. Spur trail leads to Partition and Navajo Arches. Dark Angel is ½ mile farther. It is a free-standing 150-foot tall sandstone pillar.