![]() ![]() Thus, Dan and I decided to soak in the area’s scenery from the Fiery Furnace’s roadside viewpoints instead.Īs the Arches National Park Road continues toward Devil’s Garden, the density of its rock arches increases drastically. ![]() I remember passing through a narrow slot canyon and coming across a hidden arch.ĭuring my most recent visit, however, I was not able to hike in the area due to Covid closures. On a previous visit to Utah, Dan and I took part in the ranger-led walk. There are no trail signs or markers in the area, and GPS devices tend to fail among the lofty sandstone walls.Ī 1.7 mile ranger-led walk through the Fiery Furnace is the only way in which tourists can access the area’s interior. The area consists of tightly-packed boulders that erupt from the desert floor like billowing flames.ĭue to the maze-like nature of its terrain, tourists are prohibited from meandering freely around the Fiery Furnace’s red rock boulders. The Fiery Furnace is one of Arches National Park’s top roadside attractions. It provides up-close views of the landmark formation. The Entrada Sandstone boulder sits attached to its eroding mudstone pedestal.Ī 0.3 mile walk wraps around the rock spire. While the peculiar formation appears perfectly in place, it actually isn’t balanced at all. It resembles an egg that sits precariously on a lopsided tee. Many travelers choose to hike the trail one-way, as long as there is someone to collect them at the other end.īalanced Rock, one of the most iconic features in the park, stands a staggering 128 feet tall. The trail descends steeply into the spectacular canyon and continues to the Courthouse Towers. Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers are the first major landmarks along the drive.Ī roadside viewpoint signifies the starting point of the 1.8 mile Park Avenue Trail. Instead, an easy drive makes the spectacular landforms accessible to all.Īfter climbing a series of switchbacks and passing by the Arches Visitor Center, the national park’s landscape opens up with spectacular views of the park’s red rock monoliths and sheer sandstone cliffs. Unlike Zion or the Canyonlands Needles District, the park doesn’t have an extensive network of trails suitable for backcountry exploration. Most of the viewpoints within Arches lie along the park’s scenic drive. ![]() The top things to do in Arches can generally be divided into four main sections: roadside attractions, the Windows Area, the Delicate Arch offshoot, and Devil’s Garden. ![]() Some are clearly visible from the scenic drive, others require short hikes. Many of the park’s sculpted arches are truly legendary.Īrches National Park’s iconic stone structures lie scattered about the park. Some are mere slivers, while others have openings that surpass 300 ft in diameter. The national park alone claims to contain over 2,000 sandstone spans in just over 100 square miles. Utah’s Colorado Plateau is home to the densest concentrations of natural arches in the world. Natural rock arches are continually forming, and collapsing, and then forming again. Over the course of millennia, erosion has chiseled an ever-evolving landscape. Indeed, its signature sandstone span is so lauded, that it has become a symbol of the American Southwest-emblazoned on license plates, posted all over Instagram, and impressed upon the memories of its 1.5 million annual visitors. While the entire area is a red rock paradise, there is no doubt that these natural rock arches are its primary draw. In Arches, giant sandstone arcs frame snowy peaks and juniper-clad desertscape. Renowned the world over for its delicate rock garden, the national park is among the most iconic places in the United States. Arches National Park is a masterpiece of nature and a beloved Utah tourist destination. ![]()
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