The world's largest concentration of sandstone arches, with other spectacular formations. Arches National Park is well suited for both roadside sightseeing and day hiking: a 20-mile (one way) park road leads past four groups of features, while numerous trails branch off the road to provide access to the major arches. Allow a full day for a thorough visit with little hiking, or 2-3 hours for a short spin to the Windows Section. Bring plenty of water, though: summertime temperatures often top 100 degrees.
Park Avenue
Once past the Visitor Center, one first encounters the "skyline" of Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers, eroded spires hundreds of feet above the road.
Three Gossips
Five miles ahead stands the amazing Balanced
Rock, a 55' boulder teetering atop a 75'
pedestal.
Turn right here for the Windows Section:
eight immense arches visible (and hikable) from the parking lot
turnaround.
Back on the main road, continue 2-1/2 miles,
then turn right on a good dirt road toward beautiful Delicate
Arch. Originally called "Schoolmarm's
Bloomers," this 45' high arch has graced Utah's
license plates and the covers of many Utah travel guides.
The last major collection of arches, Devils
Garden, lies ahead, at the end of the road.
The canyon leading into the Garden contains
some of the park's best hiking.
Halfway down the two-mile Devils Garden
Trail stands Landscape Arch, at 306 feet the
world's largest.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Official National Park Service Website
Rod Adkison, 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands (2d ed. 2001)
Ron Adkison, Utah's National Parks: Hiking, Camping and Vacationing in Utah's Canyon Country: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands (2d ed. 2001)
Donald L. Baars, Canyonlands Country: Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Park (1994)
Tony Huegel, Utah Byways: 65 Backcountry Drives for the Whole Family, including Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, San Rafael Swell and Glen Canyon (2d ed. 2000)
W.C. McRae, Moon Handbooks: Zion and Bryce: Including Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Escalante (2002)
Chris Moore, A Guide Book to the Natural Arches of Arches National Park (1998)
Bill Schneider, Best Easy Day Hikes, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks (1997)
Bill Schneider, Exploring Canyonlands and Arches National Parks (1997)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Official National Park Service Website
Rod Adkison, 50 Best Short Hikes in Utah's National Parks: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands (2d ed. 2001)
Ron Adkison, Utah's National Parks: Hiking, Camping and Vacationing in Utah's Canyon Country: Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands (2d ed. 2001)
Donald L. Baars, Canyonlands Country: Geology of Canyonlands and Arches National Park (1994)
Tony Huegel, Utah Byways: 65 Backcountry Drives for the Whole Family, including Moab, Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, San Rafael Swell and Glen Canyon (2d ed. 2000)
W.C. McRae, Moon Handbooks: Zion and Bryce: Including Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Escalante (2002)
Chris Moore, A Guide Book to the Natural Arches of Arches National Park (1998)
Bill Schneider, Best Easy Day Hikes, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks (1997)
Bill Schneider, Exploring Canyonlands and Arches National Parks (1997)
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