Arches
 

for a one day visit what would you see?

Drive the scenic drive and stop at all the overlooks. Take the short hike to Double Arch and maybe even the Windows.

Depending on how hot it is and what kind of shape you are in the best hike is to Delicate Arch. This is a three mile round trip and if it is a very hot day wait until evening to do this hike. Watching the sunset on Delicate Arch is the best!

My other two favorite hikes are Park Avenue and Landscape Arch.

Utahtea

Melissa, you don 't say when you are going. I love all the hikes in Arches, but my very favorites are Delicate Arch and the Firey Furnace. The Furnace requires advanced reservations and some athletic agility as you have to jump across some rocks and squeeze through a couple narrow spots.

Nice in the summer, because it's 20 degrees cooler in the fins.

Delicate Arch is the signature feature of the park. Your visit wouldn't be complete without seeing this arch. Do the hike early in the day while it is still cool. Double Arch is probably the most popular because it is only a couple hundred yards away from the parking lot and is quite notable.

we are going next july 2004.2 adults 2 children

July in Utah is HOT! You can run into days of over 100 degree weather in Moab.

If you do any hiking do it very early in the morning or late evening. I still think Delicate Arch in the evening is the best time especially if you want to take pictures. The sun turns the arch bright red before setting. Here is a link to my pictures of Arches National Park. As you can see at the bottom left corner picture of Delicate Arch it was a cloudy day but when the sun peaked out it turned the Arch bright orange/red. We were there for sunset and had plenty of time to get back to the vehicle before dark.

http://pages.ivillage.com/utahtea2/id15.html

Utahtea

I have been to Delicate Arch at sunset and agree it is the most scenic time. Some of my favorites photos of Delicate Arch were taken at sunset. You'll find it a little warmer than in the morning, but not as bad as trying to hike mid-day.

Another vote for the trek to double arch, but take the 'primitive' trail back, easy and very scenic!