This winter, we decided to visit Arches National Park and it turned out to be the most memorable national park we have ever been to. Arches National Park has the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the word and it’s home to 2,000 documented arches in the park. It is recommended to visit national parks during the winter as it is less crowded and cooler temperature compare to the summer season. We made Las Vegas as our base between our home and Moab since we did not want to drive 10.5 hours straight to Arches National Park, Utah, from Orange County, California. In addition, we visited Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park on our second day in Moab, which you can read about it here.
Arches National Park is approximately 6.5 hour drive from Las Vegas. We stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Moab, which is 10 minutes from the park. Each suite has a living area, work desk, dining space, full kitchen and it offers complimentary hot full breakfast every morning. It’s conveniently near restaurants, bars and stores. We stayed in Moab for two days where one day was spent at Arches National Park and the other day was spent at Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.
It was a beautiful day when we stopped by the Visitor Center at the Arches National Park. We were there to see interactive exhibits, educational kiosks and the bookstore that features guide books, maps, DVDβs, postcards, and much more before driving the Scenic Drive. Since it was in the morning, we wanted to visit view points that offer the best photograph in the morning and save the hike to the Delicate Arch in the afternoon. You can view my tips below for view points that are best photographed in the early morning and late afternoon.
Balanced Rock
The Balanced Rock is visible from the Scenic Drive. The huge boulder at the top is firmly attached to the rock below where the total height is 128 feet, with the huge balanced rock rising 55 feet above its base.
Broken Arch
The Broken Arch is named for the visible crack in the center of the arch. Easy trail, 0.83 miles from the parking lot on the road.
Courthouse Towers
The Courthouse Towers is collection of massive rock pillars and columns that can be seen from the Scenic Drive.
Delicate Arch
The Delicate Arch is the most famous natural arch in America. The light opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. This trail climbs 480 feet up a steep slick rock slope. The trail has no shade and some exposure to heights. Just before you get to the Delicate Arch, the trail follows a narrow rock ledge for about 200 yards, which is often icy in the winter. Difficult trail, 3 miles round trip. (2-3 hours)
Double Arch
The Double Arch was used as a backdrop for portions of the 1988 movie βIndiana Jones and the Last Crusade.βΒ A relative flat trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans that are joined at one end. It was created by water that seeped into the rock from atop the sandstone formation, eroding it from the inside. Easy trail, 0.5 miles round trip. (15-30 min)
Garden of Eden
View of the cliffs, boulders, arches and pinnacles of that area.
Park Avenue
The Park Avenue is one of the first stops after entering Arches National Park. The trail descends steeply into a spectacular canyon and continues to Courthouse Towers. For a round trip hike, retrace your steps along the trail rather than walking along the road. Moderate trail, 1 mile one way. (30-60 min)
Sand Dune Arch
Hike through deep sand to a secluded arch tucked among sandstone.
Easy trail, 0.3 miles round trip. (15-3o min.)
Sheep Rock
The Sheep Rock is one of the most easily recognizable formations in the park given its resemblance to the namesake animal and high visibility from the main park road.
The Three Gossips
The three gossips conspire secretly while overlooking the main road winding through Arches National Park. This is a loop trail at the base of a fragile, picturesque rock formation. Part of the trail is paved. Easy trail, 0.3 miles round trip. (15-30 min)
Tips Before You Go
- The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours spring through fall.
- The park is open 365 days a year.
- No food, gas or lodging in the park.
- Do not reply on cell services inside the park.
- Keep off the arches.
- Best photograph in the early morning: Moab Fault, The Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, Turret Arch, Double Arch, Cache Valley, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Wolfe Ranch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch.
- Best photograph in the late afternoon: Park Avenue, La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Courthouse Towers, Petrified Dunes, Balanced Rock, Garden of Eden, The Windows, Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace Viewpoint, Skyline Arch, Tower Arch.
Plan your vist
In 1.5 hours, you can do either of these two drives:
- Drive to the Windows Section and see some of the park’s largest arches.
- Drive to Delicate Arch Viewpoitn and see the world’s most famous arch from a distance. Stop at Wolfe Ranch on your way back and imagine homesteading here in the late 1800s.
In 3 hours: Drive the whole park road, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint.
In half a day: Drive the whole park road, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint and take a short walk at The Windows Section, Delicate Arch Viewpoint or Balanced Rock.
Arches National Park
Moab, UT 84532
https://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
Have you ever been to Arches National Park? If so, what was your favorite arch?
Beautify pictures! Thanks for sharing your adventure.