Arches National Park
Moab, Utah
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Clear, 95°
“For a little while we are again able to see, as the child sees, a world of marvels. For a few moments we discover that nothing can be taken for granted, for if this ring of stone is marvelous then all which shaped it is marvelous, and our journey here on earth, able to see and touch and hear in the midst of tangible and mysterious things-in-themselves, is the most strange and daring of all adventures.”
–Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey
Arches National Park is one of the more popular Parks in the United States and it is easy to see why. The sandstone rocks, buttes, and the many arches that make up this treasure, six miles to the north of Moab, Utah, look as if God’s own hands had crafted these beautiful features over so vast an area.
Arches NP Sign
It is busy here, with lines entering the park, and you should go early (before 9am) or come late (after 3-5pm) to avoid sitting in a long traffic line getting through the gate. From the entrance station, the visitor’s center is on the right, as the road climbs and turns up the reddish mountain winding its way back and forth gaining altitude to the mesa above. The first set of rock formations is called The Courthouse Towers where there are viewpoints of the steep cliffs and the La Sal Mountains off in the distance. The road continues and winds its way through the park for about 20 miles or so across wide valleys with the rock formations jutting out of the ground in no particular fashion.
Driving across a big open area called The Great Wall there are petrified sand dunes on the right and rock pinnacles on the left side of the road. About ten miles in, you come to the famous Balanced Rock and a turnoff that leads into the Windows section of the park.
Balanced Rock
Down this road, you will find the Parade of Elephants, the North and South Windows, Turret Arch, and the Double Arch.
Windows Area Formations
There are hiking trails leading to these features with parking available.
Double Arch
Arches National Park is a wonderland of red rocks and blue sky. The red rock landscape at Arches might feel timeless, dream-like, or even like you are on another planet with its red rocks and boulders scattered about. People have documented over 2,000 natural stone arches within park boundaries. You can see arches, towers, pinnacles, and balanced rocks from the paved park roads or there are several trails you can hike and see even more.
Continuing down the main road there is a turnoff to the right that takes you to Wolfe Ranch. Once there, you can park and hike the three miles to Delicate Arch.
Delicate Arch
A mile down the road is another parking area that allows easier access to viewpoints of Delicate Arch in the distance. The lower viewpoint is ADA accessible. The upper viewpoint is about 1/3 mile hike in and up over a ridge to get a distant view of Delicate Arch.
Distant view of Delicate Arch
Back on the main road leading through the park you come to an area called The Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace is a natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls. To enter the Fiery Furnace, you must accompany a ranger-guided hike or obtain a hiking permit at the visitor center. There is a parking area viewpoint above that is perfect for great photo opportunities.
The last area on the main road is in the Devil’s Garden area of the park. There is also a NPS campground located here. From here, you can take hiking trails that lead to views of several arches called: Skyline Arch, Double 0 Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Dark Angel Arch to name a few.
Every area within the park can give you those “Oh Wow” moments.
Landscape Arch
It is truly a masterpiece of the forces of nature as water, wind, and pressure work to create these beautiful Arches and formations.
Moab sign
Visit Moab, Utah for fun, adventure and explore a great area of Nature’s magic at work.