Arches National Park
Activities
Arches is located in a high desert region that is subject to a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions. The summers are hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C) during midday. The heat is tempered, however, by the lack of humidity. While most animals in the park, including humans, choose wisely to rest during the heat of midday, mornings and evenings are long and pleasant and lend themselves to more vigorous activity. Autumn is very comfortable at Arches, but be prepared for possible thundershowers in late summer and early fall. In the winter, the park has light snowfall and temperatures dip below freezing at night. In the spring, temperatures are pleasant, but on occasion the winds can be high, bringing dust and sandstorms.
Arches offers plenty of activities year-round. Hiking, photography, 4-wheel-drive trips, wildlife-watching and camping can all be done in any season. The park is open 24 hours a day, year-round, and, except for December 25, a park ranger is always available to answer your questions.
Seasonally, take advantage of ranger-led programs such as daily three-hour walks through the Fiery Furnace (usually March to October, walk-in reservations required, fee charged). Free walks are offered daily in other locations in the park. Nightly campfire talks are offered at Devils Garden Campground.
A host of other activ-ities include geologic and historical exhibits, self-guiding auto tours and jeep tours.
Camping: The 52-site Devils Garden Campground is located 18 miles from the park entrance and is open year-round. The sites will accommodate up to 10 people and are $15 per night. Up to 30 of the individual sites may be reserved through the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS) for nights between March 1 and October 31. The remaining 22 campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the park entrance station or visitor center. The campground fills daily, often by early to mid-morning, so plan to arrive early. Two group sites are available. Juniper Basin accommodates up to 55 people and Canyon Wren up to 35. No RVs or trailers are permitted in group sites—tents only please. For reservations, call NRRS toll-free at (877) 444-6777, TDD: (877) 833-6777 or International: (518) 885-3639; or online at www.reserveusa.com.
The campground water system provides water year-round. Please remember to bring your own wood. Wood gathering is prohibited in the park; wood is available for sale from the campground hosts March through October, and in the visitor center in winter. Pets must be leashed at all times and are prohibited on trails and in the backcountry. Summer visitors are discouraged from bringing their pets because of the heat.
Backcountry camping is possible in a few locations in Arches. No trails or designated camps exist. A free backcountry permit for overnight trips must be obtained from the visitor center.
Special Services -: For more information, please call (435) 719-2299 (voice).
Walking & Hiking
Relatively short trails offer access to many popular arches, including the three-mile round-trip to Delicate Arch. Books describing self-guiding walking tours are available at the visitor center.
Unless otherwise indicated, the times listed below are average round-trip for hikers in good physical condition.
Delicate Arch Trail starts at the Wolfe Ranch parking area. This strenuous trail (especially in summer) crosses a bridge over Salt Wash and continues over slickrock, emerging at Delicate Arch. Take water! There is a 480-foot change in elevation. (3.0 miles, 2 hours)
The Windows Trail is an easy loop to the North and South Windows, and to Turret Arch. It starts at the Windows parking lot. (1.0 miles, 1 hour)
Double Arch Trail starts at the parking area for Double Arch. (0.8-mile, 20 minutes)
Park Avenue Trail is an easy hike that follows a canyon bottom offering close-up views of massive fins and monoliths. The trail begins at Park Avenue or Courthouse Towers. (1.0 mile, 30 minutes one way)
Devils Garden Trail starts at the Devils Garden trailhead. It passes almost a dozen arches and offers excellent views of the fins, Salt Valley and the La Sal Mountains. (1.6 miles, 1-hour round-trip to Land-scape Arch; 4.2 miles, 2 hours round-trip to Double O Arch)
Tower Arch Trail starts at the Tower Arch trailhead and leads on to a moderately strenuous trail that will take you to a spectacular arch in the Klondike Bluffs. There is access to the trailhead via nine miles of dirt road. Check at the visitor center for road conditions. (3.4 miles, 1.5—2 hours)
Arches In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
