Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
584
One easy walk is to
Sand Dune Arch,
a good place to take kids who want to play in
the sand. It's only .3 mile (round-trip), but you can add 1.2 miles by continuing to
Broken Arch. Sand Dune Arch is hidden among and shaded by rock walls, with a natu-
rally created giant sandbox below the arch. Those continuing to Broken Arch should
watch for mule deer and kit foxes along the way. Allow about 30 minutes to Sand Dune
Arch and back; to Broken Arch, 1 hour.
From the
Devils Garden Trail
you can see about 15 to 20 arches on a fairly long,
strenuous, and difficult hike, or view some exciting scenery by following only part of the
route. We suggest taking at least the easy to moderate 1.6-mile round-trip hike to
Land-
scape Arch
, a long, thin ribbon of stone that's one of the most beautiful arches in the
park. Watch for mule deer along the way, and allow about an hour. Past Landscape Arch,
the trail becomes more challenging, but it offers numerous additional views, including
panoramas of the curious Double O Arch and a large, dark tower known as Dark Angel.
From the section of the trail where Dark Angel is visible, you are 2.5 miles from the trail
head. If you turn back at this point, the round trip will take about 3 hours.
Considered by many to be the park's most scenic hike, the 3-mile round-trip
Delicate
Arch Trail
is a moderate-to-difficult hike, with slippery slickrock, no shade, and some
steep drop-offs along a narrow cliff. Hikers are rewarded with a dramatic and spectacular
view of Delicate Arch. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
The
Fiery Furnace Guided Hike
is a strenuous 2-mile round-trip naturalist-led hike
to some of the most colorful formations in the park. Guided hikes venture into this
restricted area twice daily from spring through fall, by reservation, and last 2
1
/
4
to 3
hours. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for children 6 to 12.
Camping in the Park
At the north end of the park's scenic drive,
Devils Garden Campground
is Arches's only
developed camping area. The 52 well-spaced sites nestle among rocks, with plenty of
piñon and juniper trees. From March through October, the campground accepts reserva-
tions (
&
877/444-6777;
www.recreation.gov), with a $10 additional booking fee. In
summer, the campground fills early, often by 9am, with people trying to garner the 24
first-come, first-served sites; make reservations or get to the campground early, often by
7:30am. Sites cost $20 per night. There are no showers or RV hookups.
17
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
Utah's largest national park is not for the sightseer out for a Sunday afternoon drive.
Instead, it rewards those willing to spend time and energy—
lots
of energy—exploring the
rugged backcountry. Sliced into districts by the Colorado and Green rivers, this is a land
of extremes: vast panoramas, dizzyingly deep canyons, dramatically steep cliffs, broad
mesas, and towering spires.
The most accessible part of Canyonlands is the
Island in the Sky District,
in the
northern section of the park. A paved road leads to sites such as Grand View Point, which
overlooks some 10,000 square miles of rugged wilderness.
The
Needles District,
in the southeast corner, offers only a few viewpoints along the
paved road, but it boasts numerous possibilities for hikers, backpackers, and high-clear-
ance four-wheel-drives. Named for its tall red-and-white-striped rock pinnacles, this
diverse district is home to impressive arches, including 150-foot-tall Angel Arch, as well
as grassy meadows and the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers.
Most park visitors don't get a close-up view of the
Maze District;
they see it off in the
distance. That's because it's practically inaccessible. You'll need a lot of endurance and at
