Spectacular Rock Formations: Arches National Park

Arches National Park was redesignated from a national monument in 1971 to preserve over 2,000 sandstone arches and many unique geological structures. The park encompasses 76.6 thousand acres near Moab in eastern Utah— by national park standards, it’s relatively compact. With just one visitor center and minimal facilities, the park showcases nature’s beauty across a handful of areas— the most visited being The Windows, Devils Garden, and the viewpoints and trails to Delicate Arch. Short hikes are often required to get the best views, which also include natural bridges, windows, spires, and balanced rocks.

Travel Tip: During the summer months, temperatures are consistently above 90 degrees. The most comfortable times of year to visit are between April and May and September and October. Arches is an extremely popular national park; the trailhead parking areas and major points of interest do get congested. Plan your adventures for mid-week and start each day early, especially when the weather is ideal for outdoor recreation.

Things to Do

• The main road through the park is one of the most scenic in any national park, with viewpoints for many of the breathtaking geological landmarks. From Courthouse Tower and Park Avenue near the entrance to Devils Garden along the northernmost section, the road provides access to a majority of the points of interest and trailheads in the park.
• Short to medium length hikes are necessary to get up-close to many of the spectacular arches. The perspective and photographs available from these vantage points are truly worth the time and effort. We highly recommend parking and exploring Delicate Arch trail (3 miles), Windows Loop trail (1 mile), and Devils Garden trail to Landscape Arch (0.8 miles).
• Take a ranger-led walk within the rock labyrinth at Fiery Furnace. It’s also possible to adventure into the area on your own after getting a backcountry permit from the ranger station.
• Visit Sand Dune Arch— enter the slot canyon to relax in one of the only shady places in the park. This is your chance to take off your hiking boots and walk barefoot on the soft sand covering the floor of the canyon.
• See Wolf Ranch, a one-room cabin located near the Delicate Arch trailhead. This is the original homestead of the Wolf family; the structure was built in the early 1900’s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Take a guided four-wheel driving tour in the park to see some of the special places that are off the beaten path. Most of the authorized concessionaires offer both half and full-day trips.
• Spend the night at Devils Garden Campground, the only overnight option in the park. Campsites can be reserved between March and October; advanced reservations are highly recommended as the campground usually reaches capacity every night. During the remainder of the year, the campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Stargaze at the certified International Dark Sky Park. With the naked eye, it’s possible to see over 2,500 stars at night under normal conditions.

Wildlife Observation

There are amazing surprises around every corner, oftentimes coming in the form of wildlife that lives throughout the picturesque canyons. The best chance to see the larger mammals, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, red fox, and desert cottontail, is during the early morning and at dusk. While exploring the trails, over 200 species of birds can be spotted throughout the year. A few of the larger species that are permanent residents are: Cooper’s Hawks, Turkey Vultures, Ravens, and Peregrine Falcons. Watch your step, especially as the temperatures rise— the park is also home to many snakes and lizards, including the western rattlesnake.