Arches National Park Attractions

You want natural arches? You're in luck, because Arches has over 2000 of them! Hike to them, under them, even over some of them, and marvel at nature's ingenious structures that boggle the mind and provide hours of gorgeous scenery. Hiking and photography are the two most common things for visitors to do. The park has spectacular trails ranging from easy, picturesque strolls to challenging scrambles. Two of Arches' most famous landmarks, Delicate Arch and Double Arch, are easily accessible, reached in less than a mile from their trailheads. Make sure to also check out the ranger-led hikes and programs, available between March and October.

Love to climb? Arches is a rock climber's mecca. Although climbing is not allowed on several of the monuments and features (most of the ones named on USGS maps, or call the park and ask), it is allowed on other formations. And of course, strapping on a backpack and hitting the trail is another popular thing to do. Remember to bring your own water, and plenty of it. Stop at the visitor center before you go to get the skinny on all the trail and permit details throughout Arches National Park.

For those who prefer their adventure to be nonbipedally-powered, the 48-mile paved park road is just the thing. Several landmarks are accessible from the road, some of which include Balanced Rock, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, La Sal Mountains viewpoint, and Petrified Dunes Viewpoint. Make sure your camera has extra batteries and memory card and is ready for action, because it'll get a workout. Sunrise and sunset provide the best lighting opportunities to dramatically highlight your subjects. But also keep an eye on the weather; the area's many midsummer storms can lend color that pops and eerie authenticity to the sandstone formations arcing through the sky.

Exploring the local terrain on a fat tire is also a popular way to see the sights. Although it's not allowed within the park boundaries, mountain biking in nearby Moab and surrounding areas is probably one of the biggest draws for active visitors. The Slickrock bike trail is the most famous for cyclists who want to take their wheels into the wilds. If you're a beginner, head to the Monitor/Merrimac loop and the Gemini Bridges trails.

Unusually for national parks, Arches is practically in Moab's back yard. Nightlife, restaurants, brewpubs, theaters, festivals, shopping and and other things to do are all available. A single day can hold a beautiful hike then a delicious sit-down dinner followed by the latest flick at the theater.

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