Everything you need to know about
Arches National Park
Wait wait wait, so let us get this straight… you planned a trip to Arches National Park but don’t know anything about it? Don’t worry, neither did we when we booked it! You have come to the right place. From the red crumbling ledges of Balanced Rock to the heat-stricken trails of Devils Garden, stick with us, and we will cover everything you need to know.
Park Details
Arches National Park is unlike any other National Park you have ever been to. It was established in 1929 as a national monument under President Herbert Hoover, and later dubbed a national park under the Nixon Administration in 1971.
Today its rugged landscape stretches a staggering 76,000 acres across Utah, stretching as far as the eye can see. It is typically open 24 hours a day year-round, with some exceptional closures due to weather and national holidays.
A few years ago, the park implemented timed entry between April 1-October 31 every year between the hours of 7am-4pm. If you enter before or after that time you do not need a timed entry ticket. They open the timed entry tickets up a few months prior to the day, but you can also find a limited number of tickets one day before at 7pm MDT. These tickets sell out quickly, so be sure to set an alarm if you’re trying to get one the day before. To purchase tickets: click here. The timed entry fee, of $2 per vehicle, is in addition to the below fees (or national park pass).
Private Vehicle Fee – $30.00
Motorcycle Fee – $25.00
Per Person – $15.00 (no car)
The Arches
Alright so let’s get to the real reason you are here. You want to know the best arches to go to, right? With over 2,000 naturally occurring arches in the park it would be impossible to go to everyone single one in a single visit, so we are going to cover the top 5!
1.) Delicate Arch: The delicate arch is arguably one of the most popular arches at Arches National Park. Standing alone atop a sandstone cliff, this 46-foot-high geological wonder is known around the world, but it is not easy to get to. It is roughly a 3-mile hike to get to this arch and plan on going early if you expect to beat the crowds!
2.) Double Arch: The double arch is famously known for having not just one incredible stone arch, but two stemming from its outer leg. This arch is unique from the others because it was formed by erosive water flowing down from above, instead of side to side.
3.) South Window Arch: One of our favorite arches is the South Window Arch (photographed in the photo above). Its incredible massive structures are splintered with cracks from previously fallen boulders. If you catch it at the right time, you can see the beautiful red sunrise as it slowly rises through the window and brings life to the desert.
4.) Turret Arch: Also, part of the Windows section, this arch is easily accessible lying only about 100 yards from the parking lot. It makes for a great short hike, if you are traveling with small children or elderly folks that cannot hike very far.
5.) Double O Arch: As the name implies, this arch once again consists of two large geological bridges. The incredible arches are stacked one on top of the other. The smaller supporting arch at the bottom opens up to a 21-foot span. Above, the larger arch opens up a window to the valley below stretching an incredible 71 feet across.
Accommodation
One of the great things about this park is its proximity to the town of Moab. The entrance lies roughly 4 miles outside of the city and along a massive extensional fault. In the city of Moab, you can find plenty of traditional hotels and restaurants, but if you’re looking for something a little more rustic, you can also stay at the Devils Garden Campground located inside the park. This is open from March 1st to October 31st. You will definitely want to reserve your spot in advance if you plan on staying here. The campground is full almost every night and spots are first come, first served. You can reserve spots up to 6 months in advance. Since this is a Limited Development Campground, many traditional campground features like showers or electric hookups will not be available here. For more information on campground rates and fees click here.
Excursions
So what else is there to do here besides the arches? We thought you would never ask. This National Park hosts tons of adventurous fun activities. Just to name a few, some of them include things like:
Backpacking
Bicycling
Canyoneering
Tours
Hiking
Horseback Riding
Photography
Rock Climbing
Star Gazing
Dining
Exploring
And much much more. If you want to find out more click here.
Aside from this National Park, the area of Moab has lots of places to see if you have a few days in the area. Other places to explore include: Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Corona Arch, Hell’s Revenge, and Castle Valley.
So, what are you waiting for? Go book your next trip now and experience this geological wonder firsthand.