Photo by: Jacob Lips
Over 2,000 natural stone arches are found at the red-rock wonderland of the Arches National Park, in eastern Utah. The 76,679-acre park is known to have the highest density of natural arches in the world. Over a million people visit the park every year.
The rare geological situation of the park, wherein it lies above evaporite rocks, prompted the formation of the arches and other rock wonders like spires, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths.
History
According to scientific studies, the sea flowed into the region some 300 million years ago. It eventually evaporated so the salt bed was developed. Several more geological events over the millennia caused the amazing rock formations.
It was believed that humans started settling down in the region some 10,000 years ago. Native Americans lived in this area until the Spanish missionaries arrived in 1775. By 1885, the Mormon Elk Mountain Mission living in the area was later replaced by, American ranchers and farmers. Eventually, Americans realized that the rock formations could attract tourists—and they did.
The government finally took notice of the area in 1923. It was named a national monument on April 12, 1929. On November 12, 1971, U.S. President Richard Nixon signed the law that changed the designation of the monument to a national park.
Photo by: Jacob Lips
Places to go
With around 2,000 arches in the area, visitors will need some help in choosing which ones to visit. Here are the must-see arches:
Delicate Arch – This 52-feet high natural arch is the most widely recognized landmark of Arches National Park. It is also what people will see on Utah license plates and Utah souvenir items. Near the arch is the Wolfe Ranch built by war veteran John Wesley Wolfe, in the 1900s.
Balanced Rock – At 128-feet, this giant rock formation seems to be defying gravity. But experts warn that this balancing act will not last forever, as erosion will eventually send the 3,600-ton boulder tumbling down. Visitors should see it while it is still standing tall.
The Windows Section – While the Delicate Arch may be the face of Utah as well as Arches National Park, but it is this scenic beauty that gets the visitors excited. It has a large concentration of arches, many of them already individually popular: Double Arch, Elephant Butte, Garden of Eden, North Window, Parade of Elephants and Turret Arch.
Devils Garden – This scenic spot has arches (obviously), spires and fins, which are narrow rock walls that resemble fins. The most famous attraction in this area is the Landscape Arch, which is the longest arch in North America.
Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers – This is the first major spot that visitors will see at the park. There are massive monoliths and towering walls, where one can have the best view of the La Sal Mountains.
Sand Dune Arch – A lot of the arches in the park will have some hard trek involved. But this spot is perfect for children. Its arch is also thicker than most, providing shade to visitors. It also has cool sand for children to play in.
Things to do
Hiking – Going from one attraction to another is already quite a hike. Word of caution: The trek is not always easy, especially to those who are not fit. People should keep themselves hydrated and be aware of health status, at all times. For seasoned hikers, the activity will be quite enjoyable. The Fiery Furnace is a great venue for adventure hikers as they navigate boulders, sandy pathways, and narrow ledges.
Photography – Every stop in the park is just breathtaking. And since erosion is a fact, the park’s landscape is ever-changing. It is best to capture the rock formations at its current beauty.
Stargazing – The park is internationally recognized to be one of the best places to watch the stars. The area is accessible, is at the ideal altitude, and almost always has the right weather for stargazing. Here are some of the great areas for stargazing: Balanced Rock Picnic Area, Garden of Eden Viewpoint, Panorama Point and The Windows.
Camping – There is one campsite at the park: Devils Garden Campground. One has to make reservations between March and October because of the high demand. Other months, the campsite is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Flora and fauna
While the area is not as green or as colorful as most parks are, it is still a home to some of the most beautiful plants in America: prickly pear cactus, Indian ricegrass, Utah juniper, evening primrose, and sacred datura.
When it comes to wildlife, the Arches is home to antelope squirrel, peregrine falcon, red fox, kangaroo rat, western rattlesnake, and collared lizard.
Photo by: Jacob Lips