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Best Things To Do in Arches National Park
The red rock wonderland that is Arches National Park is a fascinating place to explore. Whether you're simply driving through the captivating
... READ MOREThe red rock wonderland that is Arches National Park is a fascinating place to explore. Whether you're simply driving through the captivating landscape or opting for an adventurous hike or guided tour, the park is enchanting. It's good to get your bearings at the visitor center, where you can learn about the park's various trails and viewpoints and learn about available ranger programs. Though you can easily marvel at the otherworldly scene from your car, you'll want to stop, park and explore, especially at must-see sights like the famous Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock.
Updated July 29, 2020
- #1View all Photos#1 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPEND
Located in the Devils Garden area, Landscape Arch is North America's longest arch, stretching an amazing 306 feet. To view the arch, you can take an easy, flat 50-minute hike from the Devils Garden trailhead to the arch.
Recent visitors described the hike as "easy" and definitely worth the trek, though they warned the trail can get crowded. They also recommended hiking past the Landscape Arch to the Double O and Partition arches if you have the time and stamina. Both sights are located beyond Landscape Arch and the trails to each are rated moderate to difficult by the NPS.
Located in the Devils Garden area, Landscape Arch is North America's longest arch, stretching an amazing 306 feet. To view the arch, you can take an easy, flat 50-minute hike from the Devils Garden trailhead to the arch.
Recent visitors described the hike as "easy" and definitely worth the trek, though they warned the trail can get crowded. They also recommended hiking past the Landscape Arch to the Double O and Partition arches if you have the time and stamina. Both sights are located beyond Landscape Arch and the trails to each are rated moderate to difficult by the NPS.
- #2View all Photos#2 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPEND
This iconic, 128-foot boulder, precariously perched on top of a thin pedestal of rock, is one of the park's top sights. Though it seems like it might fall over, the rock is actually attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone.
Balanced Rock can be seen from the road, but many recent travelers suggested parking and taking the short trail (less than half a mile) to the rock's base. A stop here is especially popular with photographers, who suggest a sunset visit, when the setting sun gives the rocks a deep, red-orange cast.
This iconic, 128-foot boulder, precariously perched on top of a thin pedestal of rock, is one of the park's top sights. Though it seems like it might fall over, the rock is actually attached to its eroding pedestal of Dewey Bridge mudstone.
Balanced Rock can be seen from the road, but many recent travelers suggested parking and taking the short trail (less than half a mile) to the rock's base. A stop here is especially popular with photographers, who suggest a sunset visit, when the setting sun gives the rocks a deep, red-orange cast.
- #3View all Photos#3 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND
The Windows Section, which is about 2 square miles in size, is home to some of the largest arches in the park, including North Window, South Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch. It's also considered one of the park's most scenic areas. From the parking lot, there are a handful of easy trails that bring travelers to all of the arches. A short (less than a mile round-trip) gravel trail leads to the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. You can also take a slightly longer primitive trail (about a mile in length) that leads around the Windows by starting at the South Window viewpoint.
Recent visitors loved the easy trails and their proximity to the parking lot, but they also warned of large crowds. To avoid the throngs of sightseers, reviewers recommended getting to the Windows early in the morning. They also suggested taking the primitive trail that leads to the backside of the arches for a reprieve from the crowds.
The Windows Section, which is about 2 square miles in size, is home to some of the largest arches in the park, including North Window, South Window, Turret Arch and Double Arch. It's also considered one of the park's most scenic areas. From the parking lot, there are a handful of easy trails that bring travelers to all of the arches. A short (less than a mile round-trip) gravel trail leads to the North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. You can also take a slightly longer primitive trail (about a mile in length) that leads around the Windows by starting at the South Window viewpoint.
Recent visitors loved the easy trails and their proximity to the parking lot, but they also warned of large crowds. To avoid the throngs of sightseers, reviewers recommended getting to the Windows early in the morning. They also suggested taking the primitive trail that leads to the backside of the arches for a reprieve from the crowds.
- #4View all Photos#4 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPEND
Delicate Arch has to be the world's most famous natural arch. The opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park, and over the years, it has become the de facto symbol of the state of Utah.
If you'd like to see the arch up close, you can take a 3-mile round-trip trail that climbs 480 feet uphill, passing the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs along the way. Because the trail is not shaded, requires a steady climb and traverses a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards, the park defines the path as "difficult" and encourages travelers assess their physical fitness before attempting the climb.
Delicate Arch has to be the world's most famous natural arch. The opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park, and over the years, it has become the de facto symbol of the state of Utah.
If you'd like to see the arch up close, you can take a 3-mile round-trip trail that climbs 480 feet uphill, passing the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs along the way. Because the trail is not shaded, requires a steady climb and traverses a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards, the park defines the path as "difficult" and encourages travelers assess their physical fitness before attempting the climb.
- #5View all Photos#5 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPEND
Double Arch, at 112 feet, is the tallest arch in the park. At 144 feet in length, it's also the second-longest arch in the park. Luckily, this natural wonder is easy to reach. The half-mile trail to Double Arch is a relatively flat, gravel-surfaced path that leads directly from the parking lot to the attraction. For those with limited time, or mobility, this is a very accessible, not-to-miss sight.
This was a popular pit stop for many recent visitors thanks to the short trek to the arch. As is the case with other easy-to-reach sights in the park, Double Arch can get very crowded by midday, according to reviewers. Beat the heat and the crowds by visiting early in the morning. Photographers also suggest taking your time here to view the arch from all angles.
Double Arch, at 112 feet, is the tallest arch in the park. At 144 feet in length, it's also the second-longest arch in the park. Luckily, this natural wonder is easy to reach. The half-mile trail to Double Arch is a relatively flat, gravel-surfaced path that leads directly from the parking lot to the attraction. For those with limited time, or mobility, this is a very accessible, not-to-miss sight.
This was a popular pit stop for many recent visitors thanks to the short trek to the arch. As is the case with other easy-to-reach sights in the park, Double Arch can get very crowded by midday, according to reviewers. Beat the heat and the crowds by visiting early in the morning. Photographers also suggest taking your time here to view the arch from all angles.
- #6View all Photos#6 in Arches National ParkMuseums, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPENDMuseums, FreeTYPE1 to 2 hoursTIME TO SPEND
Start your park experience at Arches Visitor Center, located just a mile inside the entrance. Recent visitors call the center a "treasure trove of information." Along with exhibits inside and outside the center detailing the park's history, geology, plants and animals, on-site rangers can help you decide where to go and offer advice on trails and staying safe. There's also a bookstore and gift shop. Don't miss the park's film, "Window in Time," which plays every 30 minutes. Kids can pick up a junior ranger activity book and learn how to earn a junior ranger badge. This is also an ideal place to fill up your water bottles; water and restrooms are available 24 hours a day.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website.Start your park experience at Arches Visitor Center, located just a mile inside the entrance. Recent visitors call the center a "treasure trove of information." Along with exhibits inside and outside the center detailing the park's history, geology, plants and animals, on-site rangers can help you decide where to go and offer advice on trails and staying safe. There's also a bookstore and gift shop. Don't miss the park's film, "Window in Time," which plays every 30 minutes. Kids can pick up a junior ranger activity book and learn how to earn a junior ranger badge. This is also an ideal place to fill up your water bottles; water and restrooms are available 24 hours a day.
The visitor center, which is accessible for free with park admission, is located just inside the park, near the main entrance and is open daily (except for Christmas Day). Hours vary. From April through September, it is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. From October through early November, it is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. In November, it is open from 8 to 4:30 p.m. and from December through February it is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, check out the NPS website. - #7View all Photos#7 in Arches National ParkNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPENDNatural Wonders, Free, Hiking, SightseeingTYPE2 hours to Half DayTIME TO SPEND
Adventurous types love to explore the Fiery Furnace, a series of narrow passageways that leads through towering sandstone walls. Since it's easy to get lost among the labyrinth and because GPS technology does not work effectively within the walls, visitors must either take a ranger-guided hike or apply for a permit to enter the area alone (after watching a required orientation video). This is no ordinary hike. It is physically demanding, with areas that have irregular and broken sandstone, narrow ledges above drop-offs, gaps you must jump across and narrow spaces you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself above the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet.
The park highly recommends that first-time visitors join a ranger-guided tour or go with someone who has been before. Visitors who have completed the hike call it "incredible" and "exceptional," but warn that it can be quite challenging and suggest skipping it if you are claustrophobic or scared of heights.
Adventurous types love to explore the Fiery Furnace, a series of narrow passageways that leads through towering sandstone walls. Since it's easy to get lost among the labyrinth and because GPS technology does not work effectively within the walls, visitors must either take a ranger-guided hike or apply for a permit to enter the area alone (after watching a required orientation video). This is no ordinary hike. It is physically demanding, with areas that have irregular and broken sandstone, narrow ledges above drop-offs, gaps you must jump across and narrow spaces you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself above the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet.
The park highly recommends that first-time visitors join a ranger-guided tour or go with someone who has been before. Visitors who have completed the hike call it "incredible" and "exceptional," but warn that it can be quite challenging and suggest skipping it if you are claustrophobic or scared of heights.
- #8View all Photos#8 in Arches National ParkFree, Historic Homes/Mansions, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPENDFree, Historic Homes/Mansions, SightseeingTYPELess than 1 hourTIME TO SPEND
In 1898, John Wesley Wolfe settled 100 acres here with his son, where they had a few head of cattle and eked out a living. They lived in a rough cabin for nearly a decade, but in 1906, when Wolfe's daughter, her husband and two kids arrived, she demanded they build a better cabin, one with real windows and wooden floors, which is what remains to this day.
Visitors find it fascinating to peek in the windows and imagine what life was like in the late 1800s. Don't miss the petroglyph panel located near Wolfe Ranch, which is believed to have been drawn by the Ute people and depicts images of people on horseback. Though many were impressed with the preserved state of the cabins and the Ute Indian petroglyphs, they also said a visit here is best enjoyed on your way to the Delicate Arch, and isn't worth the trip unless you're in the area.
In 1898, John Wesley Wolfe settled 100 acres here with his son, where they had a few head of cattle and eked out a living. They lived in a rough cabin for nearly a decade, but in 1906, when Wolfe's daughter, her husband and two kids arrived, she demanded they build a better cabin, one with real windows and wooden floors, which is what remains to this day.
Visitors find it fascinating to peek in the windows and imagine what life was like in the late 1800s. Don't miss the petroglyph panel located near Wolfe Ranch, which is believed to have been drawn by the Ute people and depicts images of people on horseback. Though many were impressed with the preserved state of the cabins and the Ute Indian petroglyphs, they also said a visit here is best enjoyed on your way to the Delicate Arch, and isn't worth the trip unless you're in the area.
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