Photo:
“Jon Zander (Digon3)” / CC BY-SA 3.0
Arches holds the greatest concentration of natural stone arches on Earth, more than 2,000 of them, from delicate ribbons of rock to the soaring span of Delicate Arch, all set in a surreal red-rock desert above Moab. Compact and easily toured by car, it packs an astonishing density of arches, balanced rocks and slickrock fins into a landscape that glows at sunrise and sunset.
The park sits on a salt bed whose slow movement cracked the overlying sandstone into long fins, which weathering then hollowed into arches. The result is a maze of red rock, arches, pinnacles, balanced rocks and slickrock, framed by the snow-capped La Sal Mountains beyond. Desert wildlife like bighorn sheep, kangaroo rats and lizards make a living in the sparse terrain.
Spring and fall are ideal, with comfortable temperatures for hiking and warm, low light for photography. Summer is intensely hot, so any warm-season visit means early starts and midday shade. Winter is cold and quiet, with occasional snow dusting the red rock for a striking scene.
The entrance is just north of Moab off US-191, and a paved scenic road runs through the park to the major trailheads, Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, the Windows and Fiery Furnace. In the busy season a timed-entry reservation is required, so plan ahead; a vehicle is needed to move between the widely spaced sites.
Hike the moderate slickrock route to Delicate Arch, walk the Devils Garden trail past a string of arches, and stroll the easy paths at the Windows and Landscape Arch. The Fiery Furnace maze is explored by permit or ranger-guided tour, and the dark skies make Arches a superb stargazing destination.
Heat and dehydration are the main dangers. Carry far more water than you expect to need, hike early, and avoid strenuous routes in summer heat. Slickrock has steep, unfenced drop-offs, so watch your footing, keep back from edges, and avoid washes when storms threaten flash floods.
A park pass and, in the busy season, a timed-entry reservation are required. Check the current system and book ahead. Carry all your water. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, reservations and permits with the National Park Service before your trip.
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
