Arches National Park located in eastern Utah boasts more than 2,000 stunning arches, primarily sculpted by the forces of erosion. A network of trails invites visitors to explore these natural wonders from various perspectives—whether approaching, traversing, or even passing beneath them. The park’s vibrant color palette shifts dramatically with the changing light, making sunset a particularly magical time to visit. As the sun dips below the horizon, the formations transform from soft rust hues to brilliant shades of orange and red, creating a breathtaking spectacle that should not be missed. This is where our Utah Mighty 5 National Park adventure began.
Our Journey
We applied for an entry ticket and were thrilled to be accepted. Opting for the 7:00 AM slot allowed us to kick off our adventure bright and early. We are not a family that enjoys heat without an ocean.
We began our hike at the Double Arch, North and South Arches, and Turret Arch, all of which offered easy trails suitable for our children. This area of the park was our first choice, as we were eager to see these stunning formations and the early morning temperatures made for a comfortable outing. Our adventure allowed us to explore other parts of the park as well, enhancing our overall experience.
- Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers
- Balancing Rock
- Windows Section
- Double Arch
- Garden of Eden
- Sand Dune and Broken Arch
- Landscape Arch in Devils Garden (50 minute hike-located at the end of the park)
Our favorite experience in the park was navigating through the impressive rock formations to reach the Sand Dune Arch. We were pleasantly surprised by the cooler temperatures in that area, especially since the rest of the park heated up quickly. For those planning a visit, I recommend starting at Devils Garden, as the hike there is longer. The parking becomes no existent even though it has the biggest parking lot. I would suggest tackling the trails in reverse order for a more enjoyable experience.
Moab, Utah
Moab appeared to be a charming little town, perfect for those who enjoy city visits or shopping. We made a quick stop for diesel before heading down Highway 191, transitioning from Arches and Canyonlands to Capitol Reef National Park. Our stay was brief, as we had already spent a long day exploring the parks and needed to find our next camping spot.
Recommendations while in the area:
- Travel Potash Road to experience the towering canyon at sunset
- We felt that we had the same experience traveling on Scenic Byway 128. We elected to save this for the next opportunity visiting this area.
- Kayak “Lost Eden”
Camping
We prepared fajitas for dinner on the Blackstone grill while primitive camping on BLM land along the highway that leads to Arches National Park. Our campsite was conveniently situated between Arches and the turnoff for the Canyonlands “Islands of the Sky” entrance, a route frequented by ATV riders exploring the nearby dirt roads. On our way to the park, we made a stop along Scenic Byway 128, but unfortunately, all the campgrounds were full due to the influx of rafting businesses. Most of the campsites in that area charged fees ranging from $15 to $25 for an overnight stay and we were in the market for free campsites.
To see more of our park experience, click here.
Hiking Trails
I have provided a link and a QR code for you to discover the various trails available at this national park. The website offers a wealth of information to enhance your exploration experience. Information includes:
- difficulty level
- distance of hike
- estimated hike time
- rating
- location of trail
MAP
I’m sharing a link to assist you in planning your visit to this national park. This resource includes a detailed map of the park, which will be invaluable for your trip.
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