The last park we wanted to visit while in Moab, Utah was Arches National Park. We purposely waited until after the weekend to visit Arches hoping that the crowds would be less.
Arches National Park has over 2,000 natural stone arches and hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks.
We arrived at the entrance at 9:30 on Monday morning and this was the line to get in to the park.
When we arrived at the Ranger Station, there was a sign that they were not letting any more cars in and to come back in 4-5 hours! Ugh! So we went back to the trailer to hang out and relax.
We came back to the park around 4 PM and still had to wait in a long line to enter the park but at least we got in this time.
 |
| This is looking back down towards the entrance. |
Working on my Junior Ranger badge I learned that there are several types of arches; Cliff Wall Arch, Free-Standing Arch, Pothole Arch, and Natural Bridge.
We first drove to the Devil's Garden section of the park.
 |
| Pine Tree Arch |
 |
| Tunnel Arch |
 |
| Landscape Arch |
 |
| Guess which trail we did??? |
 |
| Partition Arch |
 |
| Navajo Arch |
 |
| Double O Arch |
We took a side trail to Private Arch.
 |
| Private Arch |
 |
| Private Arch |
 |
| This sign could not be more accurate! |
Well, that primitive trail was much more difficult then I expected. If we were going the opposite direction we could not have made it as we had to slide down on our butts on some rocks to continue on the trail.
Next we headed to the most famous arch in the park, Delicate Arch. It was a pretty steep hike up to Delicate Arch but once you come around a corner and there it is, you can't help but go, "Oh Wow!"
The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146 m). The trail has no shade, some steep climbing, and exposure to drop-offs.
 |
| That's us under the arch to give it some perspective. |
Then we went to see some more arches.
 |
| Turret Arch |
 |
| Windows Arches |
The sun was going down so it was time to head out of the park. This was the view along the route heading out. There were more places to stop and things to see but we were running out of daylight.
This plaque on the wall at the Visitor's Center says it all!
Arches National park did not disappoint! Now it's time to pack up and head to our next national park, Capital Reef.
Beautiful pictures. I found the same long lines trying to get in Joshua Tree however White Sands and Saguaro the entry was just open with no one attending the booths.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and beautiful, beautiful photos 👍
ReplyDeleteWe will need to go back some time, because we didn’t see 1/2 as much as you guys!
You are so much brave than I! I'll just see it vicariously through your awesome pictures and descriptions!
ReplyDeleteWe love taking the long way around when it comes to hikes. It's interesting and relaxing when you don't have as many people waling all over the place.
ReplyDeleteArches National Park is just beautiful and I never knew there were so many arches ... Wow!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures, so nice!
Thanks for sharing!