Arches National Park
The scorching desert sun sat against a bright blue backdrop at midday illuminating the red earth below. We paused to rest thankful for the shade provided by the towering arches. This was a huge contrast from the early morning hours when clouds tailed us on the trails. To top off the afternoon we were surprised by a dark sky, heavy winds and a vibrant rainbow that followed once the storm was over. Arches National Park was astonishing and we spent the day hiking, taking shade underneath the magnificent rocks and witnessing a beautiful display that only mother nature herself could provide.
Don’t Miss These Sites
Although you will see a lot while driving through Arches there are many sites worth stopping for and hiking to in order to get the full experience. Here’s a rundown on some of the hikes/sites we enjoyed the ones you can’t miss out on!
- Park Avenue Trail (1.0 mi each way)
- Balanced Rock Trail (0.3 mi)
- Windows Area Trail (1.0 mi)
- Double Arch Trail (0.5 mi)
- Garden of Eden
- Panorama Point
- Devils Garden Trail (7.2 mi)
- Tunnel Arch
- Pine Tree Arch
- Delicate Arch (3.0 mi)/ Delicate Arch Viewpoint (0.5 mi)
Tips
- Entrance Fee $25 USD per car
- Save money with the annual pass! Click here for more info.
- The park is open 24 hours. Be sure to visit the park at night for celestial views.
- There are no concessions inside the park. Pack a lunch and enjoy it along with the views
- Summer can be very hot with temperatures above 100 F. Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person/day
- Moab is the closest town to the park (5 miles away) with full services- Try Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro for a hearty breakfast.
- Be patient during high season as the entrance station will be packed with visitors. It is best to arrive early.