Utah: Arches National Park, an insider guide by @jen33travel

Author:

Jen Rogers @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com

Just north of Moab in southeastern Utah lies one of the most incredible national parks in the US, Arches National Park. With over 2,000 documented arches, it has the densest concentration of natural sandstone arches in the world. It is over 70,000 acres of arches, fins, pinnacles, hoodoos and balanced rocks. A geological heaven if you will, and if you are brave enough to fight the freezing winter temps, you might just be lucky enough to experience the fiery red sandstone dusted in white snow against a backdrop of cloud-filled blue skies. A true winter wonderland.

Arches Petrified Dunes:

Just east off the park road between Courthouse Towers and the Windows Area are the unique petrified sand dunes. A site where ancient sand dunes once covered the landscape. Over time, the sand drifts became covered in layers of sediment, compressing them and cementing them into hardened rock. The overlaying subsequent material eroded away with time exposing the original hardened dunes. The dunes are about 0.5 miles out and require cross-country hiking as there is no trail to them. Don’t worry, it’s hard to get lost out there but if you do, just head west and eventually you’ll hit the main road.

Hiking and arch viewing:

Broken Arch Trail – 2 miles, easy. Popular loop that leads to a sandstone arch. The arch is not actually broken but it is wearing thin across the middle.

Delicate Arch Trail – 3 miles, moderate, heavily trafficked. A hike to the most iconic arch in the park that you will no doubt recognize as the arch featured on Utah state license plates. The incredible arch stands 52 feet tall and is quite magnificent. The trail includes some steep grades, takes you steadily uphill and climbs 480 feet in elevation. Along the way, you will pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and Ute petroglyphs. This arch is a great place to watch the sunrise.

There is also a shorter hike to a lower viewpoint that offers a distant view of Delicate Arch.

Devils Garden Primitive Loop Trail – 7.2 miles, moderate to difficult. The longest, most challenging hike in the park that takes you to both Landscape and Double O Arches. The trail is mostly sand with a high ledge that you have to climb up. If you are looking for solitude, this is the hike for you.

Double Arch Trail – 0.8 miles, easy. Popular hike ending beneath a majestic double arch. It is located in the Windows section of the park and just about anyone can hike it.

Double O Arch – 4.2 miles, moderate. A hike to two arches, one sitting on top of the other. A truly unique site and one of the largest arches. The top arch has a 71-foot span and sits atop a second arch with a 21-foot span. It is really quite beautiful.

Fiery Furnace Trail – 2 miles, moderate. You must have a permit or take a ranger led hike to experience this area of the park to protect this rare desert environment. Time your hike around sunset when the area takes on a reddish glow much like a fiery furnace.

Landscape Arch Trail – 1.6 miles, easy. A beautiful hike to the largest arch in the park. The opening of this arch spans 306 feet across and the arch itself is just a narrow ribbon, only 6 inches thick at its narrowest point.

Park Avenue Trail – 1.8 miles, easy, heavily trafficked and great for seeing wildflowers in the Spring. Located near the park entrance, this trail includes spectacular views of fins and towers that resemble skyscrapers much like New York City hence the name. The hike provides incredible views of The Three Gossips, the Courthouse Towers, Queen Nefertiti and Queen Victoria Rock, the Organ and the Tower of Babel.

Tower Arch Trail – 3.4 miles, light traffic, moderate to difficult. The trail leads to one of the most secluded arches in the park. Located in the northwest end of Arches, the trail takes you through quite a few ups and downs behind the Klondike Bluffs. The arch itself is quite large with a 92-foot span.

Windows Primitive Loop & Turret Arch Trail – 1 mile, easy. A scenic hike past three separate arch formations. This is often referred to as the Windows Section of the park and is incredible to see. For me, this is a must see and almost anyone can hike it.

Scenic Drive:

Driving the approximately 20-mile scenic road through the park (approximately 40 miles round trip) is truly magical. The road winds around the park allowing you to take in panoramic views of red rock with plenty of places to stop for photos along the way. The drive allows you to explore the park and take in all of its beauty without ever having to leave your car although you will no doubt want to. Be sure to stop at all of the major viewpoints including following:

Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers – If you do not want to hike here, you will still want to make a quick stop at the Park Avenue Viewpoint to snap a few photos. You can also see The Three Gossips, the Courthouse Towers, Queen Nefertiti and Queen Victoria Rock, the Organ and the Tower of Babel. from the road.

Windows Area – Be sure to see Balanced Rock and Double Arch, 2 giant arches that share the same foundation. The Windows Area has the highest concentration of natural arches in the world and hiking around near the parking lot is short and easy.

Delicate Arch – Even if you’re not up for the trek out to Delicate Arch, or even the lower viewpoint which is a steep short hike up, you can still see this magnificent arch in the distance from a viewpoint that is very close to the parking area (and there are restrooms).

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint – Only 0.2 miles from the parking lot is the viewpoint where you can see abundant wildflowers in Spring. If you decide to tour Arches solely by car, still leave yourself at least 4-5 hours as you will no doubt want to stop and linger often.

For more details on where to stay, when to visit, visiting for free and the best stargazing spots visit Jen’s blog.

If you want to know what it’s like to work at Arches NP, check out this insider interview with a former Student Conservation Association Employee.

Jen:

“Nothing I’d rather do than escape into the wild, lose cell service and sleep in a tent under the stars”,

My love and passion for travel started as a child. My grandparents traveled to many remote exotic places bringing me postcards and stamps that stirred my imagination. My parents and other family participated in foreign exchange student programs and I was always fascinated by these interesting visitors sharing stories of far-away lands. This sparked my curiosity and passion to see those places for myself. I spend as much time as my work schedule allows camping and exploring remote spots. Join me on my adventures as I share my stories and travel tips @jen33travel and Jenrogers33.com.