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Utah State Parks

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USA Parks
Utah
Southern Region
Arches National Park
Campsite Availability
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Arches National Park Night In Arches NP © Dewese Milstead
Long exposure.
Arches National Park A Bobcat © Richard Fowler
We found this bobcat along the rail protecting a deer carcass hed been feeding on before we came by.
Arches National Park Wolf Ranch © Richard Fowler
Wolf Ranch or Turnbow Cabin is at the trail head to Delicate Arch.
Arches National Park Bucks On The Move © Richard Fowler
Spotted the mule deer just outside Sand Dune Arch
Arches National Park Heres Looking AT You Kid © Richard Fowler
A close look a a couple of mule deer
Arches National Park Sand Dune Arch © Richard Fowler
People climbing around on Sand Dune Arch
Arches National Park Delicate Arch © Richard Fowler
Delicate Arch from below
Arches National Park Delicate Arch at Dawn © Richard Fowler
Delicate Arch with fog in the valley below on an overcast morning in October.
Arches National Park Arches National Park © Barb Davis
Within 15 minutes of entering the Arches N.P., I had to pull over to take this photo - AMAZING This was Summer of 2016 - best photo of my trip
Arches National Park Balance Rock © Barb Davis
I live in the flat lands of Texas - so Balanced Rock is a sight to behold You hold your breath as you look at it - thinking it will fall over any minute You can walk all the way around it which gives you different positions of the balanced rock and of course, lots of photos Arches is fantastic - cant wait to go back again.
Arches National Park Fiery Furnace Viewpoint © John Valenti
View from the Fiery Furnace area looking towards the Windows section and the distant La Sal Mountains
Arches National Park The North Window © John Valenti
Taken in the Windows section of Arches National Park
Arches National Park Delicate Arch © Heiko Brueckner
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © David Bednarczyk
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park Delicate Arch © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park LaSal Mountains © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dorothy Valenti
Arches National Park THE NORTH WINDOW © Dorothy Valenti
Photo was taken with a Minolta Dimage camera.
Arches National Park Balanced Rock © Dorothy Valenti
Camera Used Kodak EasyShare DX6440
Arches National Park At Arches © Dorothy Valenti
Camera Used Kodak EasyShare DX6440
Arches National Park © Dorothy Valenti
Arches National Park Arches National Park © Dorothy Valenti
Entrance to Arches - a wonderful place to visit.
Arches National Park © Dorothy Valenti
Arches National Park Windows At Arches © Dorothy Valenti
Camera Used Minolta Dimage Z1
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park Between The Fins © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Larry Gaskill
Arches National Park © stefano colombo
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park Delicate Arch © Monica Jamison
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
Arches National Park © Dewese Milstead
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ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
PO Box 907
Moab, Utah   84532-0907
(lat:38.7331 lon:-109.5925) map location

Phone: 435-719-2299
Email: park email button icon
Arches National Park preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches, including the world-famous Delicate Arch, in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has exposed millions of years of geologic history.The extraordinary features of the park, including balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.

HISTORY AND CULTURE:

Rocks have attracted visitors to Arches National Park for thousands of years. However, sightseeing has not been the main activity for very long. Hunter-gatherers migrated into the area about 10,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age. As they explored Courthouse Wash and other areas in what is now Arches, they found pockets of rock perfect for making stone tools. The forces of nature have acted in concert to create the landscape of Arches, which contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world. Throughout the park, rock layers reveal millions of years of deposition, erosion and other geologic events. These layers continue to shape life in Arches today, as their erosion influences elemental features like soil chemistry and where water flows when it rains.
Featured Areas within the Park
Nature of the Area
The forces of nature have acted in concert to create the landscape of Arches, which contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world. Throughout the park, rock layers reveal millions of years of deposition, erosion and other geologic events. These layers continue to shape life in Arches today, as their erosion influences elemental features like soil chemistry and where water flows when it rains.

Arches is located in a "high desert," with elevations ranging from 4,085 to 5,653 feet above sea level. The climate is one of very hot summers, cold winters and very little rainfall. Even on a daily basis, temperatures may fluctuate as much as 50 degrees.

The plants and animals in Arches have many adaptations that enable them to survive these conditions. Some species are found only in this area. The diversity of organisms reflects the variety of available habitat, which includes lush riparian areas, ephemeral pools, dry arroyos, mixed grasslands and large expanses of bare rock.

GEOLOGIC FEATURES:

To many, the most outstanding natural features of Arches are the park's geologic formations. Over 2,000 catalogued arches range in size from a three-foot opening (the minimum considered to be an arch), to Landscape Arch which measures 306 feet from base to base. Towering spires, fins and balanced rocks complement the arches, creating a remarkable assortment of landforms in a relatively small area.

Two unusual natural features common in Arches intrigue both scientists and visitors: cryptobiotic soil and potholes. Cryptobiotic soil is a living groundcover that forms the foundation of high desert plant life.

Potholes are naturally occurring basins or pools in sandstone that collect rainwater and wind-blown sediment. These potholes harbor organisms that are able to survive long periods of dehydration, and also serve as a breeding ground for many desert amphibians and insects. Both of these communities are very vulnerable to human impacts.
History of the Area
The first Europeans to explore the Southwest were Spaniards. As Spain?s New World empire expanded, they searched for travel routes across the deserts to their California missions. In fact, the Old Spanish Trail linking Santa Fe and Los Angeles ran along the same route, past the park visitor center, that the highway does today.

The first reliable date within Arches is an interesting one. Denis Julien, a French-American trapper with a habit of chiseling his name and the date onto rocks throughout the Southwest, left an inscription in this area: Denis Julien, June 9, 1844. If we only knew what he thought of the wonders he saw!

The first European settlement of Southern Utah arose from the colonizing efforts of the Mormon Church. The Mormons attempted to establish the Elk Mountain Mission in what is now Moab in June of 1855, but conflicts with the Utes caused them to abandon the effort. In the 1880s and 1890s, Moab was settled permanently by ranchers, prospectors, and farmers. One settler even found a beautiful spot within what is now Arches National Park. John Wesley Wolfe, a veteran of the Civil War, built the homestead known as Wolfe Ranch around 1898, seeking good fortune in the newly established State of Utah. It is located on Salt Wash, at the beginning of the Delicate Arch Trail. Wolfe and his family lived there a decade or more, then moved back to Ohio. The cabin remains, an echo of what must have been a remarkable experience.

One of the earliest settlers to describe the beauty of the red rock country around Arches was Loren ?Bish? Taylor, who took over the Moab newspaper in 1911 when he was eighteen years old. Bish editorialized for years about the marvels of Moab, and loved exploring and describing the rock wonderland just north of the frontier town. Some of his journeys were with John ?Doc? Williams, Moab?s first doctor. As Doc rode his horse north to ranches and other settlements, he often climbed out of Salt Valley to the spot now called Doc Williams Point, stopped to let his horse rest and looked back over the fabulously colored rock fins.

Word spread. Alexander Ringhoffer, a prospector, wrote the Rio Grande Western Railroad in 1923 in an effort to publicize the area and gain support for creating a national park. Ringhoffer led railroad executives interested in attracting more rail passengers into the formations; they were impressed, and the campaign began. The government sent research teams to investigate and gather evidence. In 1929, President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation creating Arches National Monument, to protect the arches, spires, balanced rocks, and other sandstone formations. In 1971 Congress changed the status of Arches to a National Park, recognizing over 10,000 years of cultural history that flourished in this now famous landscape of sandstone arches and canyons.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseHiking Trailyes
 Picnickingyes
Camping
The Devils Garden Campground is located eighteen miles from the park entrance and is open year-round. Facilities include potable water, picnic tables, grills, as well as both pit-style and flush toilets. There are no showers. Bring your own wood or charcoal for the grills. Some sites will accommodate RV's up to 30 feet in length.

As of November 2003, Devils Garden is part of the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS), which offers telephone and on-line reservations for both group and individual sites. Reservations are not accepted by the park, and the park does not maintain information about site availability.

INDIVIDUAL SITES:

The campground has 52 individual sites which are $10 per night and will accommodate up to ten people. Up to 28 of the individual sites may be reserved through NRRS for nights between March 1st and October 31st. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than 240 days in advance. There is an additional $9 booking fee for reservations. To make a reservation call NRRS at (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.

The remaining 24 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the park entrance station or visitor center.

GROUP SITES:

The campground has two sites for groups of eleven or more people. The Juniper Basin campsite will accommodate up to 55 people; the Canyon Wren campsite up to 35. The group camping fee is $3 per person per night, with a $33 per night minimum. No recreational vehicles or trailers are permitted in the group sites.

Group campsites may be reserved through NRRS year-round. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than 360 days in advance. There is an additional $9 booking fee for reservations. To make a reservation call NRRS at (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639.

Unreserved group campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of arrival.



Trails
HIKING:

Arches contains a wealth of hiking trails. Ranging in length and difficulty, these trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and many of the park's famous features, including Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch. In many cases, trails travel under arches, affording quite a different perspective than what is visible from a car.

BACKPACKING:

Arches is a relatively small park, with very few areas far enough from roads to qualify as backcountry. Outside the developed areas there are no designated trails, campsites, or reliable water sources.

In order to backpack in Arches, you must obtain a free backcountry permit at the visitor center. The maximum group size is twelve, but smaller groups are strongly recommended to reduce impacts. Permits may not be reserved in advance. Backpackers should know how to navigate with a topographic map, recognize safety hazards and practice low-impact camping specific to the high desert. Primary safety considerations include steep terrain, loose rock, lightning, flash floods, and dehydration.

Pets may not accompany groups in the backcountry.

BIKING:

Arches offers great opportunities for both road and mountain biking. Though there are no bike lanes and traffic can be heavy at times, biking the scenic drive is a great way to see the park. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs roads are less traveled but are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand and other obstacles.

Bicycles are only permitted on roads: there is no single track or trail riding in the park. When biking on the main road, please use caution and ride single file on the edge of the lane.

More information is available in bike guides sold at the visitor center and through the
Rock Climbing and Rappelling
The rock at Arches offers excellent climbing opportunities, despite its sandy nature. Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Permits are not required, unless the trip involves an overnight stay in the backcountry.

It the responsibility of all climbers to know and obey park regulations and route closures.

Rock climbing guides to Arches and the surrounding area are available at the visitor center and through the bookstore.

Regulations:

1. Use of motorized drills is prohibited.

2. Climbing is prohibited on any arch identified on current USGS 7.5 minute topographical maps; on Balanced Rock year-round; on Bubo from January 1st to June 30th; on Industrial Disease on the Devil Dog Spire from January 1st to June 30th.

3. The use of chalk for climbing must be of a color which blends with the native rock.

4. Climbers are encouraged to employ clean-climbing ethics, leave dull-colored webbing when recovery is impossible, and access climbing routes via established trails, slickrock or sandy washes.

Nature Programs
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM:

Free Junior Ranger booklets are available at the visitor center. Filled with fun activities, these books reveal the wonders of Arches to kids and parents alike. By completing five or more exercises, participants earn a Junior Ranger badge and signed certificate. Activities are designed for ages 6 to 12.

CANYON COUNTRY OUTDOOR EDUCATION (CCOE):

CCOE is a cooperative venture between the National Park Service, local school districts and nonprofit organizations in southeast Utah. Field trips are conducted to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and other areas.

TEACHER'S GUIDE:

In the fall of 2000, CCOE staff produced The Teacher's Guide to Canyon Country Outdoor Education. The teacher?s guide contains over 100 science activities for grades one through six.
Area Attractions
NEARBY ATTRACTIONS:

Canyonlands National Park

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Hovenweep National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
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Area Campgrounds
Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway
1773 North Highway 191
Moab, UT
435-259-4469
Sun Outdoors North Moab
1415 North Main Street
Moab, UT
435-259-7660
Sun Outdoors Canyonlands Gateway
13701 U.S. 191
Moab, UT
435-259-7854
Nearby Hotels
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Directions
Plane - Commercial airlines serve Grand Junction, CO and Salt Lake City, UT. By car, these cities are roughly 2 and 4 hours (respectively) away from the park entrance.

Car - The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles north of Moab along Highway 191.

Bus - Greyhound travels along Interstate 70, making stops at Grand Junction, CO and Green River, UT. Commercial van services operate between Moab and Salt Lake City as well as Grand Junction.

Public Transportation - There is no public transportation to Arches.

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