Arches National Park is my favorite national park. It is located very close to Moab, Utah, just off Interstate 70. I’ve visited the park 4 times and plan on going back many more.
Arches National Park has excellent hiking, spectacular views, and the Delicate Arch is an icon in itself. It is easily recognizable all over the world.
The park is certainly quite diverse in its natural attractions. As the national park service calls it “it’s a red rock wonderland”. You are in a world of magnificently looking arches, spires, and pinnacles standing proudly in a high elevation desert landscape. The Park Avenue with the Courthouse Giants is actually my favorite place in the park. You’re dwarfed by the enormous walls of monoliths and you can’t stop but wonder where in the world those walls came from. The walls form a canyon and you can take a lovely hike through it. You will especially enjoy it early in the morning when very few tourists are there.
Another outstanding hike in the park is along the Devils Garden trail. If you do the whole hike, you’ll need to scramble and use your hands but the views and arches you’ll see will certainly be unforgettable.
As you hike, you’ll pass the Landscape Arch, the Partition Arch, the Double O Arch, the Navajo Arch, and several others. The trail takes you all the way to the Dark Angel Tower. Unless you do the hike in early spring, like we did, bring plenty of water as it can get really hot, especially in the summer.
Another spectacular area to explore at Arches National Park is the Windows Section. Here, you will see the Parade of Elephants, rock formations resembling elephants. You can also explore the Double Arch and the Windows here.
Finally, there is the Delicate Arch. It stands alone in a bowl. It’s a unique feeling to sit there looking at it. Again, arrive early to have it to yourself. The arch is indeed magnificent.
One thing I love about Arches National Park is how easy it is to interact with it. You can climb onto the arches and other sandstone formations, you can touch them, and discover them on your own terms. It’s certainly a park that takes your breath away.
I recommend spending at least 2 days in the park to get a real feel for it. The campsites at Devils Campground are amazing. You basically have a little section of red rock paradise to yourself. It’s spectacular to look at the shadows of the rocks in the setting sun, and once the sun sets, the night sky and the stars are amazing.
What would you recommend at Arches National Park? How did you like the park?
