What should I see at Arches National Park?
 

We are traveling to Utah to see the Mighty 5 this June. I will have a full day at Arches. What have people seen or done at Arches that they would recommend?

Also do you have any tips on lodging? Nothing fancy. We are just passing through and will spend more time outside doing stuff than in a hotel or whatever.

Thanks

Hike to Delicate Arch.

A highlight of my trip to Southern Utah was hiking the Fiery Furnace. I have done this twice - and it was just as fun the second time around! Since it is likely to be warm in June, this hike is perfect for the afternoon as it is cool in the shade of the rocks. If you want to do this, you will need to prebook tickets on NPS website.

Like starrs, I also enjoyed the hike to Delicate Arch (do it early in the morning before it get's too hot and there are too many people on the hike) and also Devil's garden is fantastic.

We stayed in Moab at Westside Flats which was one of the best accommodation we stayed at in Utah! It has plenty of space, close to town for restaurants, or self catering if you prefer to cook in.

Moab ain't just Arches. Dead Horse State Park (26 miles from Arches NP) is quite a wonderful place and the drive along the Colorado River on Highway 128 going NE out of Moab in one of our favorites in the USA.

HTtY

Delicate Arch would be top on my list. Landscape Arch, the Windows, Park Avenue are our other favorites. If you are good hikers you might try going past Landscape on to Dark Angel...it's quite the hike!

If you want to do Firey Furnace you would have to make your reservations NOW if they aren't already booked up. That's been my problem...I haven't been able to get tickets to do the Ranger led hike because they are always booked up way in advance lately.

You said you had a day for Arches. How long do you have for Canyonlands?

Utahtea

All of the hikes in Arches are amazing but we really enjoyed the ranger-led Fiery Furnace hike. Also recommend doing the Delicate Arch hike at sunset - bring along a headlamp for the hike out. Park Avenue is a short, highly scenic hike too.

While in Moab, take everyone's advice to do the incredible drive out to Fisher Tower on Route 128 along the Colorado River - so beautiful.

There are plenty of lodging options in Moab - the Rustic Inn was clean and reasonably priced as well as centrally located just off the main road. We have also stayed at the River Canyon Lodge a few times - nothing special but a decent value and well located off the main street. Enjoy your trip!

The hike to Corona Arch was also very enjoyable. Not in Arches National Park, but reasonably close to Moab if you have the time to visit it.

Do take a bit more time and go to Canyonlands NP while you are in Moab. The view from/through Mesa Arch is awesome as is the grand view (DH thinks it is as good as Grand Canyon)

Thanks to all for the tips.

We have another day planned for Canyonlands so I appreciate any thoughts people want to share on their experiences there as well.

Thanks

My favorite day in Canyonlands goes like this:

If you don't own a 4x4 vehicle then rent a 4 x 4 jeep in Moab and drive the Potash Road (hwy 279) looking for the petroglyphs as you go. Then on to the 4x4 Shafer Trail. Do a short side trip on the White Rim trail to Musselman Arch and then back to the Shafer Trail up into Canyonlands National Park. Green River Overlooks is a must stop! Drive towards Grand View overlook stopping at all the overlooks on your right and take a hike at Grand View. If time doesn't allow just do part of the hike. Stop at the overlooks on your right again as you return. Do the short 3/4 hike to Mesa Arch is a must. Stop at the Shafer trail overlook to see the road you drove up on. From here depending on how much time you have you could stop at Dead Horse State Park, do the Long Canyon 4 x 4 trail back to the Potash Trail or return to Moab via the paved roads. If you don't do the 4 x 4 section then you will have more time in Canyonlands to do the hikes.



Utahtea