Arches National Park Introduction

Arches National Park Image

Located just outside of Moab, Utah, on the red cliffs overlooking the Colorado River, Arches National Park is a geologic wonderland. These Arches formed over millions of years of erosion. New arches still being created in the national park today. Arches National Park contains over 2,000 arch formations!

Most of the sites like Delicate Arch, the Fiery Furnace and Balanced Rock, can be viewed from a distance at viewpoints, just off the road. To truly experience Arches National Park, it's recommended that you take a few hikes and get up close with some of these amazing rock formations. Double Arch and Balanced Rock are only a few minutes from the parking lot. The Turret Arch and the Window Arches loop is a moderate hike and offers amazing views of the La Sal Mountains. You can spend all day in the Devils Garden Area exploring the Arches National Park backcountry and the massive Landscape Arch and Double O Arch.

If you visit Arches National Park in the Summer months be prepared for extreme heat. Dress light, bring plenty of water and try to stay in the shade during the heat of the day.

Arches National Park is best experienced in the dawn and dusk hours. The lighting created by the sun's angle at these hours brings out the vibrate colors in the red rocks, and you avoid the hottest parts of the day.

Camping is available at designated campgrounds within the park. Backcountry backpacking in is allow in Arches National Park. For more information visit National Park Service Site listed below. If you don't want to camp, you can find lodging in nearby Moab, Utah in the link below. Once you go to the lodging page, you can also look at the "City Guide" link located in the upper right-hand portion of the screen. If you're planning a visit, this provides great insight into lodging, restaurants and activities in the area..

Arches National Park Lodging Lodging near Arches National Park
Arches National Park Hiking Trails 3 Free Hiking Trail Guides for Arches National Park
Arches National Park Guidebooks Arches National Park Guide Books
National Parks Forum More Arches National Park Outdoor Activities
National Park Service Arches Website on NPS.gov

 

Pictures of Arches National Park

Double Arch
double arch

Landscape Arch
landscape arch

Park Avenue
arches national park

Arches National Park Photos Courtesy of The National Park Service

Must see the Fiery Furnace

Arches is most famous for Delicate Arch (it's pictured above). It's a fairly easy 45 minute hike up to the arch, although the hike can be extremely brutal in the heat of summer. Don't miss the Fiery Furnace. It's just down the road from the Delicate Arch turnoff. You can hike through this area too, but you need to stop in the visitors center and watch a short video, and get a permit. They restrict access to this area, because the environment is so fragile. You can also take a tour of the area with a park ranger.

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