Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Natural stone arches and fantastic rock formations, which look as if they were sculpted
by an artist's hand, are the defining features of this park, and they exist in remarkable
numbers and variety. Best of all, the formations here seem more accessible and less for-
bidding than the spires and pinnacles at nearby Canyonlands National Park. Arches is
visitor-friendly, with relatively short, well-maintained trails leading to most of the park's
major attractions.
Some people think of arches as bridges, but to geologists there's a big difference.
Bridges are formed when a river slowly bores through solid rock. The often bizarre and
beautiful contours of arches result from the erosive force of rain and snow, which freezes
and thaws, dissolving the “glue” that holds sand grains together and chipping away at the
stone, until gravity finally pulls a chunk off.
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Essentials
GETTING THERE
From Moab, drive 5 miles north on US 191.
VISITOR INFORMATION
Contact
Arches National
Park,
P.O. Box 907, Moab, UT
84532 (
&
435/719-2299;
www.nps.gov/arch).
Canyonlands Natural History Associa-
tion,
3015 South US 191, Moab, UT 84532 (
&
800/840-8978
or 435/259-6003;
www.cnha.org), sells books, maps, and videos.
The
visitor center,
just inside the park entrance gate, provides maps, brochures, and
information. It's open daily April through October from 7:30am to 6:30pm, and 8am to
4:30pm the rest of the year (closed Dec 25).
FEES
Entry to the park (for up to 7 days) costs $10 per vehicle, $5 per person on foot,
bicycle, or motorcycle.
RANGER PROGRAMS
From March through October, rangers lead guided hikes on
the Fiery Furnace Trail twice daily (see “Outdoor Pursuits,” below), as well as daily nature
walks at various park locations. Evening campfire programs (Apr-Oct) cover topics such
as rock art, geological processes, and wildlife. A schedule of events is posted at the visitor
center. Kids between 6 and 12 can pick up a Junior Ranger booklet at the visitor center.
After completing the activities in the booklet and participating in several programs,
they'll earn a badge.
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Seeing the Highlights
Arches is the easiest of Utah's national parks to see in a day, if that's all you can spare. An
18-mile (one-way)
scenic drive
offers splendid views of countless natural rock
arches and other formations, and several easy hikes reveal additional scenery. Allow 1
1
/
2
hours for the round-trip drive, adding time for optional hikes. Start by viewing the short
program at the
visitor center
to get a feel for what lies ahead. Then drive north along
the scenic drive, stopping at viewpoints and for occasional short walks. The scenic drive
ends at the often-crowded parking area for the
Devils Garden Trailhead.
From here, you
can hike to some of the park's unique arches, including
Landscape Arch,
which is among
the longest natural rock spans in the world. From the trail head parking lot, it's 18 miles
back to the visitor center.
Outdoor Pursuits
Most of the hiking trails here are short and relatively easy. Because of the hot summer
sun and lack of shade, it's wise to carry water on even the shortest hike.
