Arches National Park
Arches National Park contains the world’s largest concentration of natural arches. This 73,000 acre area contains over 2,000 of these magnificent natural wonders. The area was declared a national monument in 1929, and became a national park in 1971.
Most of the arches are composed of the beautiful rusty colored Entrada Sandstone or the cream colored Navajo Sandstone, often layered together like a cake.
A wonderful and easy way to explore the park is by taking the 40-mile round trip through it. The roads are paved and the sights are incredible. This trip, which can be driven in your own car, will take you on an excursion through the park and allow you to see the major sites. Among the most notable sites you will see are:
Delicate Arch – Standing alone, this delicate, thin, yet strong arch has become the symbol of Utah and is one of the most famous in the park
Balanced Rock – An enormous rock balanced vertically above the earth below and measured to be about the size of three school buses
Double Arch – Two arches that sit on top of one another creating a stunning sight
Landscape Arch – Extremely thin and long, this massive arch measures over 300 feet and is the largest in the park
Fiery Furnace – A maze of narrow passages and tall columns of rock whose mixture of creamy sandstone base and red sandstone columns look like a huge fire pit with flames rising toward the sky
Devil’s Garden – Sitting atop a ridge, this is a collection of numerous arches
Dark Angel – A solitary column composed of dark stone standing at the end of Devil’s Garden
Courthouse Towers – A stunning group of vertical columns composed of solid stone
Petrified Dunes – The remains of sand dunes formed by a combination of winds and the ancient lakes that used to cover the area
Arches National Park is a great place for family activities, the most outstanding of which is hiking. There are well kept trails and designated areas to hike and hikers – from beginners to experts – will be able to navigate many of them. One of the best and most popular hikes is through Devil’s Garden. The hike is fairly easy, featuring wide paths for the main part of the hike, and the scenery you will encounter is spectacular in every direction. Some of the most beautiful arches such as Double O Arch can be found on this hike. Once you reach the beautiful Landscape Arch, the trail narrows and the hike becomes a little more strenuous, but even a novice hiker can navigate the trail, which is a loop through more arches.
The hike through Devil’s Garden, which is considered one of the world’s greatest family hikes, will delight all, including the more adventurous. Be sure to bring your camera, lots of film and your sense of wonder as you enter a breathtaking adventure.
Another way explore parts of the park are through guided walking tours. One tour not to miss is the tour through the Fiery Furnace. Located in the central area of the park, the Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth or maze of sandstone passages surrounded by sandstone fins that reach skyward. Walking tours are provided to the public, but it is wise to make reservations in advance. This is a moderate hike, so most individuals should fare well and return with magnificent photos and memories of this stunning area.
In addition to hiking, biking is another activity that visitors enjoy throughout the park. There are also off road ATV guided tours, horseback riding and custom ATV/Jeep trail maps available for those who like to cruise off the beaten path. There are numerous rental companies, outfitters and guides in the area, and you can check with the Visitor’s Center for information. Accommodations in the area are also plentiful.
The Arches National Park is located 5 Miles north of the town of Moab off of US 91 in Central Utah.
Mountain Biking Utah
Most of the arches are composed of the beautiful rusty colored Entrada Sandstone or the cream colored Navajo Sandstone, often layered together like a cake.
A wonderful and easy way to explore the park is by taking the 40-mile round trip through it. The roads are paved and the sights are incredible. This trip, which can be driven in your own car, will take you on an excursion through the park and allow you to see the major sites. Among the most notable sites you will see are:
Delicate Arch – Standing alone, this delicate, thin, yet strong arch has become the symbol of Utah and is one of the most famous in the park
Balanced Rock – An enormous rock balanced vertically above the earth below and measured to be about the size of three school buses
Double Arch – Two arches that sit on top of one another creating a stunning sight
Landscape Arch – Extremely thin and long, this massive arch measures over 300 feet and is the largest in the park
Fiery Furnace – A maze of narrow passages and tall columns of rock whose mixture of creamy sandstone base and red sandstone columns look like a huge fire pit with flames rising toward the sky
Devil’s Garden – Sitting atop a ridge, this is a collection of numerous arches
Dark Angel – A solitary column composed of dark stone standing at the end of Devil’s Garden
Courthouse Towers – A stunning group of vertical columns composed of solid stone
Petrified Dunes – The remains of sand dunes formed by a combination of winds and the ancient lakes that used to cover the area
Arches National Park is a great place for family activities, the most outstanding of which is hiking. There are well kept trails and designated areas to hike and hikers – from beginners to experts – will be able to navigate many of them. One of the best and most popular hikes is through Devil’s Garden. The hike is fairly easy, featuring wide paths for the main part of the hike, and the scenery you will encounter is spectacular in every direction. Some of the most beautiful arches such as Double O Arch can be found on this hike. Once you reach the beautiful Landscape Arch, the trail narrows and the hike becomes a little more strenuous, but even a novice hiker can navigate the trail, which is a loop through more arches.
The hike through Devil’s Garden, which is considered one of the world’s greatest family hikes, will delight all, including the more adventurous. Be sure to bring your camera, lots of film and your sense of wonder as you enter a breathtaking adventure.
Another way explore parts of the park are through guided walking tours. One tour not to miss is the tour through the Fiery Furnace. Located in the central area of the park, the Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth or maze of sandstone passages surrounded by sandstone fins that reach skyward. Walking tours are provided to the public, but it is wise to make reservations in advance. This is a moderate hike, so most individuals should fare well and return with magnificent photos and memories of this stunning area.
In addition to hiking, biking is another activity that visitors enjoy throughout the park. There are also off road ATV guided tours, horseback riding and custom ATV/Jeep trail maps available for those who like to cruise off the beaten path. There are numerous rental companies, outfitters and guides in the area, and you can check with the Visitor’s Center for information. Accommodations in the area are also plentiful.
The Arches National Park is located 5 Miles north of the town of Moab off of US 91 in Central Utah.
Mountain Biking Utah
