10 Amazing Sights You Have to See at Arches National Park

 

Natural arch at sunset

Arches National Park is a red-stone sprawling desert near Moab, Utah. The park is a reminiscence of wild west aesthetic movies and popular children’s cartoons.

The Arches Park is famous for its salmon-colored stone, rock formations, monoliths, and mountains. You will be awestruck by the range of colors red sand can give off. The trailheads are popular and easy to hike, so make the trip to Arches today!

We’ll be listing 10 amazing sights you have to see at Arches National Park.

Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is the most well known arch in the States. This arch is the most heavily visited formation in the whole park. 

Delicate Arch, like the name suggests, is a 52-foot-tall arch that looks like it's been delicately carved. 

The Delicate Arch trailhead starts at the parking area near Wolfe Ranch and continues for 3 miles. The hike is considerably difficult, so take precautions because it gets hot at noon.

If you don’t want to make a 3 hour long hike, then opt for the lower viewpoint. This will take you near the arch, but you won’t have the best view.

The historic Wolfe Ranch and Ute hunting pictographs also make an interesting stop.

Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch is one of the longest natural arches in the park. It spans 306 feet and is only 11 feet thick. How can such a slim structure have such a long span, you may ask?

Well to tell you the truth, Landscape Arch recently shed some weight. In 1991, a 60 feet long slab of rock naturally broke off from the arch and fell to the bottom. You can still see the fallen slab at the base.

Landscape Arch trail is pretty easy and is popular among tourists. The trail winds over the red-hued Utah soil, crossing shrubs and smaller formations. Once you reach the arch, the view is so striking you won’t be able to keep your camera down.

The arch looks majestic, like a rainbow over the cerulean blue sky. Make sure to check it out!

Double Arch

Double Arch

Double Arch is a breathtaking arch near Windows Road. The outer legs of the Double Arch rest on the same rock formation. This arch is the tallest and second-longest arch in the park, at 112 feet and 144 feet respectively.

The hike to Double Arch is extremely short and easy. The 0.5-mile hike takes you on a gravel path near the base of the rocks. The arch can be easily viewed from the parking lot as well.

The short hike means more time to view other formations. You can make the short hike to Turret Arch, it has carved steps leading up to it.

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is a spectacular feat of nature and will leave you awestruck standing at a gigantic 128 feet. Balanced Rock is a popular arch at the park and is easily visible from the road.

A short hike of 0.3 miles will lead you to it. Balanced Rock was formed after centuries of erosion. The boulder appears balanced on the pedestal when it is attached to it.

Balanced Rock is made of two different rock formations. The boulder is made of Entrada Sandstone and the pedestal of Dewey Bridge sandstone, which is quick to erode.

If you want to see this structure with your own eyes, then make your way to Arches as quickly as you can. The Balanced Rock will not last the test of time due to the pedestal’s erosion. So make the hike to Balanced Rock while you can!

Devil’s Garden Trailhead

Devil’s Garden Trailhead

Devil’s Garden is a lovely expanse of land right at the end of the park. The garden houses about 8 of the park’s most famous arches.

If you’re starting a hike, Devil’s Garden is the best place to start. Because the trail will take you around all the marvelous arches and fins one by one. This way you’ll get your sweet time admiring each.

Devil’s Garden Trailhead starts at the parking lot, the trail is well marked and you can follow the directions from there.

Fiery Furnace

Fiery Furnace

Fiery Furnace is one heck of an experience and that’s saying it lightly. The Fiery Furnace looks reddish-orange under the sun and is a maze-like rock formation.

Hiking Fiery Furnace is not easy, the winding pathways can confuse even the most experienced canyoners. But don’t let that deter you, park rangers offer tours that you sign up for. Some pathways get narrow plus you don’t want to damage the ancient ecosystem, remember to stick close to your tour party.

Once you start the hike, you’ll be able to admire all kinds of arches, fins, and monoliths up close. Stay hydrated, they call it the furnace for nothing!

Corona Arch

Corona Arch

Before 2020, Corona Arch was an under-the-radar magnificent arch. Corona Arch is memorable and can be accessed by hiking 1.5 miles from Potash Road. 

Before you get to the arch, you will have to climb up Slickrock sections with the help of metal cables. Once your feet are safely planted on a flat surface, continue to follow the trail.

You’ll come across the Bowtie Arch, which is a pothole arch. Continuing along the arch, you will set your sights on the wondrous Corona Arch. It looks like the rainbow bridge and you can even hike under it. Sadly there are just some rocks at the end of the rainbow.

Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch is a delicate arch snuggled in between two massive limestone fins. Sand collects at the base of the fins, thus giving the arch its name.

Sand Dune trailhead starts south of Broken Arch Trailhead and continues for 0.3 miles. While hiking, you can admire the wildflowers that grow around the shrubs.

Double O Arch  

Double O Arch

Double O Arch is a fantastic and the second-largest arch in the park after Landscape Arch. 

The arch comprises two arches, the larger one at 71 feet over the smaller, spanning 21 feet. Double O Arch is at the end of Devil’s Garden Loop. While you’re on your way to see Landscape Arch, swing by Double o Arch too!

Courthouse Tower

Courthouse Tower

Courthouse Towers are a group of towering spires jutting out of the desert plain. The towers include Three Gossips, Sheep Rock, and Tower of Babel.

The fins rise a staggering 4,800 feet above the desert ground. You will need to hike for a mile along the Park Avenue Trail for a close-up. The view is picturesque and the sun bathes the canyon in beautiful shades of orange and red.

Make your way to the Courthouse Viewing Area which is 4 miles from the Park HQ.

Each one of these unbelievable sights is seen at Arches National Park. Sure to be a top pick for your Adventure List!

 

Check each one of these amazing locations off of your bucket list, with our National Parks Adventure Book , Arches National Park Adventure Notes, or build your own adventure bundle with our Adventure Bundle Builder today. Your story starts now!
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