Arches National Park

Arches National Park is the best place on Earth to see natural rock arches. There are more than 2,000 sandstone arches in the park. 300 million years ago this area was covered by a shallow sea. This sea deposited salts which were later covered by desert sands. As nearby mountains built up and expanded the slightly fluid salts were compressed and uplifted into a formation known as an anticline. This anticline filled with salts quickly eroded forming a depression, the Salt Valley. Adjoining Entrada Sandstone is slowly falling into the valley, forming fins which slowly erode into the famous arches of the park

Several very short walks provide great views of the arches and weather-sculpted sandstone landmarks. Just ten miles into the park is Balanced Rock, a 3,600 ton ball of sandstone attached to a thin spire of mudstone. A 0.3 loop around Balanced Rock provides views from every angle. Sand Dune Arch Trail is just a little bit longer. The arch is located in a small shaded sand-filled slot canyon. This hike is wonderful for children.

Arches National Park has many medium length hikes to view multiple arches. The Windows Trail brings you to three of the most impressive arches in the park, South Window, North Window, and Turret Arches. The primitive loop trail brings you around the back of the arches and provides more solitude and great views of the La Sal Mountains south of the park. Devils Garden Trail leads to more fantastic arches. The famous long (306 feet) and thin (6 feet at its narrowest) Landscape Arch. This arch is an easy hike, less than two miles roundtrip from the trailhead.

Camp among beautiful sandstone rock formations at Devils Garden Campground in the park. Reservations highly recommended March 1st to October 31st.

Before you go, learn more about the geology of Arches National Park:

Read

• Roadside Geology of Utah, by Felicie Williams, Lucy Chronic, and Halka Chronic