I cannot believe all the beautiful arches at Arches National Park. We visited the park in May of 2015 and originally we had planned to do the park on Saturday, then Canyonlands Natural Park on Sunday. Well, we quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. The park, which was established on April 12, 1929, as a national monument, is actually 76,679 acres and has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. There was no way we were going to be able to see everything we wanted to in one day. So we went back on Sunday and here are a few of our favorites:
Double Arch
Sand Dune Arch
North Window Arch
Skyline Arch
Arches National Park Visitor Information
Address:
PO Box 907
Moab, UT 84532-0907
Phone:
435-719-2299
Hours:
Daily 9 am – 4 pm
Prices:
Private Vehicle Fee – $30.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.
Motorcycle Fee – $25.00
Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders.
Per Person – $15.00
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.
Southeast Utah Parks Pass – $55.00
Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges National Monument.
FYI – During high visitation, there may be significant delays entering the park. You may experience long waits at the entrance station, usually between 9 am and 2 pm. Long lines may continue into the afternoon. At peak visitation, your wait can last up to an hour. They suggest
Parking:
Parking is limited at all destinations. Popular trailheads like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden often fill for hours at a time, especially on weekends and holidays. Parking for oversize vehicles (RVs, trailers) is extremely limited. Leave oversize vehicles in town, or in the visitor center parking lot.
Read more about parking lots and times when they may be busy. For more suggestions on traveling in the park and how to avoid the crowds, visit the Traffic & Travel Tips page.
Accessibility:
Arches National Park has many areas that are accessible for people with physical or mobility concerns. The park scenic drive passes many notable arches and rock formations that are visible from the road. This page provides details on accessible activities and facilities.
Safety:
Heat & Sun
During the summer, expect high temperatures, intense sunlight and low humidity. Eat plenty of food and drink at least one gallon of water each day. Carry and drink water during all activities, such as hiking. Wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin. Avoid hiking in the middle of the day. Save strenuous activity for early mornings or evenings. You can get water at the visitor center and at the Devils Garden trailhead and campground. As you can see from the pictures attached to this post, the weather was crazy. Hot and sunny one minute, than overcast and ready to rain the next.
Proper Footwear
Wear sturdy shoes with enough tread to give you good traction. Do not hike in smooth-soled shoes or boots. Some trails cover uneven terrain and follow rock ledges. In winter, trails may be icy. It’s recommended you wear traction devices on your shoes.
Climbing & Scrambling
Slickrock invites adventure. When you climb or scramble, be sure you can retrace your steps. Climbing up is easier than climbing back down. Sandstone is slippery when wet or covered in sand. Do not climb or walk on arches or major features like Balanced Rock.
Lightning & Flash Floods
Storms and flash floods can be powerful and sudden. When lightning is present, avoid lone trees, cliff edges and high ridges. Crouch low to the ground. Return to your vehicle if possible. Never try to cross a wash that is flooding. Read more on weather.
Staying Found
Stay with companions while hiking; separation can mean getting lost. Do not count on a cellular phone to summon help; cellular service will not reach into many areas of Arches. If you become lost, stay where you are and wait for rescue. Wandering will endanger your life and make finding you difficult. When traveling alone, always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
These natural beauties are amazing! Thank you for sharing all these wonders, it makes me feel like I’m there! Someday hubby and I will travel to National Parks out west! We even have our park pass ready!
Hi Martha, thank you for your msg. So glad you enjoyed my post. Hope you can make it to the west soon. Let us know when you are coming through! 🙂