Where in the world can you find more than 2,000 naturally occurring stone arches? About five miles north of Moab, Utah, in Arches National Park you can see the greatest concentration of arches in the world! Some are close enough to the road to be seen on a drive-by, but others require miles of hiking. When you stand next to a stone arch dozens of feet tall, you can’t help asking, “How did this get here?”

Delicate Arch is one of the most famous arches in the world—it’s even on license plates in Utah! Hiking to it requires a 1 ½ mile (one way) trip through fairly rugged, but beautiful, terrain. This arch was made the same way the other arches in the park were: through layering and erosion. The layering began millions of years ago when large seas left piles of salt behind after they evaporated. The salt was covered with layers of rocks. As the centuries went by, the salt made cracks in the rock. The cracks were widened by water until large holes—arches—were in the rocks. Pieces of rock are still being eroded by wind and water!

Landscape Arch is one of the largest arches in the world…it is over 300 feet long! Several decades ago, a large portion actually came crashing down at once. Getting to Landscape Arch requires a little over a 1 ½ mile hike (round trip) on a path covered with gravel. This must-see arch is a very popular destination in the park. What other things does the park have to offer?

Many miles of trail—from paved to primitive—cover the park. Some trails lead to exciting destinations like the Double Arch while others just travel through desert country. You can expect to meet people from all over the world on the trails. Hikers are asked to stay on the paths because the soil is actually alive: microscopic organisms live within the sand and make it more erosion-resistant! Dozens of species of animals (from mule deer to coyotes to lizards and snakes) and plants also live in the park.

To really experience the arches, you need to spend more than one day. You can find lodging in near-by Moab, but camping onsite will truly make your experience memorable. If you plan to camp, make reservations early, as the summer months tend to be full weeks in advance. Plan on paying a campsite fee and an entrance fee.

Arches National Park can accommodate all types of travelers: from the adventuresome,
hike-5-miles-to-the-goal, dinner’s-over-the-campfire style to the hotel-at-night, drive-to-the-scenery-during-the-day style, the beauty of the high desert will stir your spirit and make you feel excited to be alive. This desert anomaly is one road-trip destination you won’t want to miss!

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