Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and features one of the most beautiful landscapes you can find in the United States. This park features thousands of arch-shaped rock formations, alongside rolling hill and rock towers. It is one of the most impressive national parks you could ever visit. More than a million people visit every single year, but many of them don’t go much farther than the parking lots and roads. Those who take time to move beyond the roads will find dozens of amazing things to keep them occupied.
If you are going to be in Utah to see Arches National Park, you have to visit Delicate Arch. Even if you do nothing else, making time for this is something you will be glad you did. This arch is the most famous around the globe and you can see it on Utah license plates. Getting out to Delicate Arch requires taking a 1.5-mile trail, by the same name. However, even beginners can easily navigate this accessible trail. Not only will you get up close and personal with the arch, but you’ll also see many other fantastic views while getting there.
When you’re driving through Arches National Park, the road you are on is called Arches Scenic Drive. This road is about 18 miles long and takes you past many amazing landscapes in the park itself. If you can’t take time to visit all of the best rock formations, many of them can be seen from the comfort of your vehicle on this road. You can even jump out of the car and get close to a few of them, if you want to take a break and stretch your legs for a few minutes.
The Fiery Furnace is a twisted, narrow landscape with tons of winding passages. It’s also one of the most unique landscapes you can find in Arches National Park. A park ranger will take visitors on three hour-long guided tours several times during the day, or you can acquire a permit if you want to visit on your own. This area is much like a maze and has an appearance that is beautiful, yet eerie. The best times to visit are at sunset and sunrise to take advantage of the views.
Just as with other national parks, there is camping available inside of Arches National Park. However, keep in mind that there is only a single campground for the park. For that reason, we recommend that you make reservations before you decide to take on this adventure. You can connect with the wilderness at the Devil’s Garden Campgrounds, where the night sky and amazing rock formations make for a fantastic experience. There are also plenty of hiking trails and rock-climbing routes to enjoy, if you want to spend even more time in the park. There are a total of 50 campsites in the park, and each can accommodate groups of up to ten people for a reasonable fee.
If you’ve visited any other national parks in the past, you likely already know that cyclists are required to stay on the roadwhile riding. However, Arches National Park is well-suited for those who enjoy hopping on a bike for a ride. You want to head over to Willow Springs Road or Salt Valley, both of which are set up for optimal bicycle exploration. You will have a great view of the park, while also gaining a great physical workout at the same time. If you want serious trail time, the nearest location is Moab, but the park can be a lot of fun, too.
You can’t ride your bike off of the roads in Arches National Park, but you are allowed to take a horse into the back country. Those who love horseback riding will easily find tons of locations to ride and explore the area. Keep in mind that you are not allowed to do horse camping overnight. However, don’t let that stop you from taking a horse out on the equine trails all day. You’ll get access to many of the iconic landscapes that feel like they come straight out of Hollywood western films from days of old.
There are plenty of trails to hike in Arches National Park, but not all of them are beginner or family-friendly. For those who want a relaxing hike that people of all ages can enjoy, you want to visit the Park Avenue Trail. It’s an easy hike, but it offers much of the greatest scenery that the park has to offer. The trail is only a mile long, but it does make its way through a canyon and along the foot of some of the most popular features of the Utah park.
It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur photographer, someone who photographs for fun, or a professional who wants to take in some of the most famous landscapes, you’ll find inspiration all around you in Arches National Park. The park makes a great place to take photos that will be awe-inspiring, thanks to the amazing landscapes, unique color patterns, and the light and shadows that can only be seen in the park. The reality is that you could spend days taking shots and never get bored with it. You’ll go home with amazing photos to send to friends or even display on your walls.
As we’ve mentioned, Arches National Park is filled with beautiful rock formations of all shapes and sizes. This makes it the ideal location for rock climbers to do what they enjoy the best. Many of the towers and rock arches that you see are open to climbers, so you can head right on up. However, it’s a good idea to double check first, as some areas are off limits, and some may be closed for various reasons. A beginner to rock climbing will find plenty to do in order to learn the hobby, while expert climbers will find tons of intimidating places to climb for days at a time.
While you may not see as many animals at Arches as you might somewhere like Yellowstone, that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. There are dozens of unique animals to take in, as long as you take the time to watch and spot them. You’ll find that many of these animals are only active at night, so the best times to watch are at sundown and sunrise. You may catch a glimpse of something exciting like mountain lions, mule deer, bobcats, bighorn sheep, eagles, and coyotes.
These are ten of the most exciting things to do when you take a trip to Arches National Park in Utah. This is just a sample of the activities you can take part in when you visit the park for a short time or even longer. Whether you are athletic and looking for a challenge, an animal lover who wants to see new creatures, or someone who just wants to take in the nature around you, you’ll find something that keeps your interest. Make sure if you’re staying for long that you reserve your camping spot and have a blast enjoying the area! Now get started on this next adventure and make sure you’re ready to explore by getting your cheap car insurance in Utah here.