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The Park is open year-round. The visitor center is open daily from 8am to 4:30pm, with extended hour’s spring through fall. The visitor center is closed on December 25th. Visitors with mobility impairments can access the visitor center, restrooms throughout the park, Devils Garden Campground site #37, the Park Avenue Viewpoint and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. For visitors with hearing impairments, a variety of publications may be obtained at the visitor center. Wayside exhibits with illustrations and text on natural and cultural features are situated throughout the Park and in the visitor center.

In 1929, President Herbert Hoover signed the legislation creating Arches National Monument, to protect the arches, spires, balanced rocks, and other sandstone formations. In 1971 Congress changed the status of Arches to a National Park, recognizing over 10,000 years of cultural history that flourished in this now famous landscape of sandstone arches and canyons. Now the park has entertained 731,454 visitors, just in 2004 alone.

Rocks have attracted visitors to Arches National Park for thousands of years. However, sightseeing has not been the main activity for very long. Hunter-gatherers migrated into the area about 10,000 years ago at the end of the Ice Age. As they explored Courthouse Wash and other areas in what is now Arches, they found pockets of chert and chalcedony, microcrystalline quartz perfect for making stone tools. Chipping or knapping these rocks into dart points, knives, and scrapers, they created debris piles that are still visible to the trained eye. While no dwellings have been found in Arches, the northern edge of ancestral Puebloan territory, there are rock inscription panels. Like earlier people, the ancestral Puebloans left lithic scatters, often overlooking waterholes where someone may have shaped tools while watching for game. People living in modern-day pueblos like Acoma, Cochiti, Santa Clara, Taos, and the Hopi Mesas are descendants of the ancestral Puebloans.

The Fremont were contemporaries of the ancestral Puebloans and lived in the same general area. As the ancestral Puebloan and Fremont peoples were leaving, nomadic Shoshone and peoples such as the Ute and Paiute entered the area and were here to meet the first Europeans in 1776. The petroglyph panel near Wolfe Ranch is believed to have some Ute images since it shows people on horseback, and horses were adopted by the Utes only after they were introduced by the Spanish. The first Europeans to explore the Southwest were Spaniards. The Old Spanish Trail linking Santa Fe and Los Angeles ran along the same route, past the park visitor center, that the highway does today.

The first European settlement of Southern Utah arose from the colonizing efforts of the Mormon Church. The Mormons attempted to establish the Elk Mountain Mission in what is now Moab in June of 1855, but conflicts with the Utes caused them to abandon the effort. In the 1880s and 1890s, Moab was settled permanently by ranchers, prospectors, and farmers. One settler even found a beautiful spot within what is now Arches National Park. John Wesley Wolfe, a veteran of the Civil War, built the homestead known as Wolfe Ranch around 1898, seeking good fortune in the newly established State of Utah. It is located on Salt Wash, at the beginning of the Delicate Arch Trail. Wolfe and his family lived there a decade or more, and then moved back to Ohio.

Arches National Park lies atop an underground salt bed called the “Paradox Formation” which is responsible for the arches, spires, balanced rocks, fins and eroded monoliths common throughout the park. Thousands of feet thick in places, the Paradox Formation was deposited over 300 million years ago when seas flowed into the region and eventually evaporated. Over millions of years, the salt bed was covered with the residue of floods and winds as the oceans returned and evaporated again and again. Much of this debris was cemented into rock. At one time this overlying layer of rock may have been more than a mile thick.

Salt under pressure is unstable, and the salt bed below Arches began to flow under the weight of the overlying sandstones. This movement caused the surface rock to buckle and shift, thrusting some sections upward into domes, dropping others into surrounding cavities, and causing vertical cracks which would later contribute to the development of arches. As the subsurface movement of salt shaped the surface, erosion stripped away the younger rock layers. Water seeped into cracks and joints, washing away loose debris and eroding the “cement” that held the sandstone together, leaving a series of free-standing fins. During colder periods, ice formed, its expansion putting pressure on the rock, breaking off bits and pieces, and sometimes creating openings. Many damaged fins collapsed. Others, with the right degree of hardness and balance, have survived as the world famous formations of Arches National Park.

Faults deep in the Earth also contributed to the instability on the surface. The result of one such 2,500-foot displacement is called the Moab Fault and is visible from the Arches Visitor Center. Salt Valley was also formed by such a displacement. Except for isolated remnants, the major rock formations visible in the park today are the salmon-colored Entrada Sandstone, in which most of the arches form, and the tan-colored Navajo Sandstone.

Arches is located in a “high desert,” with elevations ranging from 4,085 to 5,653 feet above sea level. It lies near the heart of a desert called the “Colorado Plateau.” The climate is one of very hot summers, cold winters and very little rainfall. Even on a daily basis, temperatures may fluctuate as much as 50 degrees. The plants and animals in Arches have many adaptations that enable them to survive these conditions. Some species are found only in this area. The diversity of organisms reflects the variety of available habitat, which includes lush riparian areas, ephemeral pools, dry arroyos, mixed grasslands and large expanses of bare rock.

There is a vast amount of vegetation in Arches. Many adaptations enable plants to survive the extremes of temperature and aridity found in Arches. The dominant plant community in Arches is the pinyon-juniper woodland which colonizes rocky soils and fractured bedrock. Mixed stands of pinyon pine and Utah juniper cover millions of acres in the southwest, including much of Arches. These trees grow closely associated and dominate the landscape in dry, rocky terrain at elevations between 4,500 and 6,500 feet. As elevation decreases, trees become more scattered and Juniper more common because it is more drought resistant than pinyon. In Arches, tree diversity is greatest in riparian corridors where water is plentiful. Netleaf hackberry, box elder, Russian olive, tamarisk and Fremont’s cottonwood grow in these areas.

More than most plants, the cactus seems perfectly suited to life in an arid climate. Nine species of cactus are found in Arches. Cacti are plants that have succulent stems, pads or branches with scales and spines instead of leaves. Cactus pads are actually modified stems with a waxy coating. The prickly spines are modified leaves that break up the evaporative winds blowing across pad surfaces, and help shade the stem. Root systems are usually broad and shallow, and rainwater is soaked up quickly. Small rain roots actually grow as soon as soil is moistened by rain, and later dry up. Despite their prickly armor, cacti are not immune to predators. Many rodents gnaw on cactus pads, and other mammals,including bears and humans, enjoy the sweet red fruit of the prickly pear.

Arches offers great opportunities for both road and mountain biking. Though there are no bike lanes and traffic can be heavy at times; biking the scenic drive is a great way to see the park. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs roads are less traveled but are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand and other obstacles. Bicycles are only permitted on roads: there is no single track or trail riding in the park. When biking on the main road, please use caution and ride single file on the edge of the lane. More information is available in bike guides sold at the visitor center and through the bookstore.

The rock at Arches offers excellent climbing opportunities, despite its sandy nature. Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques. Permits are not required, unless the trip involves an overnight stay in the backcountry. It the responsibility of all climbers to know and obey park regulations and route closures. Rock climbing guides to Arches and the surrounding area are available at the visitor center and through the bookstore.

Arches contains a wealth of hiking trails. Ranging in length and difficulty, these trails provide access to outstanding viewpoints and many of the park’s famous features, including Balanced Rock and Delicate Arch. In many cases, trails travel under arches, affording quite a different perspective than what is visible from a car. Easy trails are Balanced Rock, Broken Arch, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Desert Nature Trail, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Sand Dune Arch, Skyline Arch, and The Windows. None of these take more than 60 minutes to hike, with most being 10-15 minutes walks. Moderate trails are Park Avenue and Tower Arch. These take 1-3 hours. The Long trails are Delicate Arch, Devils Garden Primitive Loop, Double O Arch, and Fiery Furnace. Hikers who want to explore the Fiery Furnace must obtain a permit at the visitor center (fee charged) and watch a minimum impact video. All visitors are encouraged to sign up for a ranger-guided hike. The Long trails can take 2-5 hours and be moderately strenuous.

Several animal and plant infestations have significantly altered the area’s ecology, disrupting food chains and nutrient cycles by out-competing native organisms in their own habitat. Non-native plants impacting Arches include tamarisk (salt cedar), cheat grass, Russian knapweed and Russian olive. There are also 40 species of non-native fish living in the upper basin of the Colorado River, which forms part of the park’s southern boundary. Non-native birds, such as starlings and English sparrows, typically inhabit urban areas and are not a problem in the park. Many scientific studies have been conducted to understand the impact of these species and, in some cases, to eradicate them. Thus far, success has been limited, and the issue of non-native species is likely to receive continued attention in the coming years.

Though much of Arches remains undeveloped, its lands are not necessarily undisturbed. Cryptobiotic soil crust is a living groundcover that forms the foundation of high desert plant life in Arches and the surrounding area. This knobby, black crust is dominated by cyanobacteria, but also includes lichens, mosses, green algae, microfungi and bacteria. Much of the area is covered by cryptobiotic soil crust that plays an important role in the ecosystems in which it occurs. Unfortunately, many human activities negatively affect the presence and health of cryptobiotic soil crusts. Compress ional stresses placed on them by footprints or machinery are extremely harmful, especially when the crusts are dry and brittle. Tracks in continuous strips, like those produced by vehicles or bicycles, create areas that are highly vulnerable to wind and water erosion. Rainfall carries away loose material, often creating channels along these tracks, especially on slopes.

Wind not only blows pieces of the pulverized crust away, thereby preventing reattachment to disturbed areas, but also disrupts the underlying loose soil, often covering nearby crusts. Since crustal organisms need light to photosynthesize, burial can mean death. When large sandy areas are impacted during dry periods, previously stable areas can become a series of shifting sand dunes in just a few years. Air pollutants, both from urban areas and coal-fired power plants, also adversely affect the physiology of these crusts. Impacted areas may never fully recover. Under the best circumstances, a thin veneer of cryptobiotic soil may return in five to seven years. Damage done to the sheath material, and the accompanying loss of soil nutrients, is repaired slowly during up to 50 years of cyanobacterial growth. Lichens and mosses may take even longer to recover.

In summer, June through September, temperatures may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit and winter, December through February; temperatures often drop below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures may range 50 degrees in a 24-hour period. It is very dry so carry drinking water at all times, at least 1 gallon a day per person. Also valuable would be a broad brimmed hat, sunscreen, good quality hiking boots for all-terrain traction, and layered clothing for early morning hikes as mornings are usually cool even in summer.

Arches receives more precipitation than many other deserts: about 9 inches annually. August is generally the wettest month, as weather systems from the southwest bring brief, intense tropical storms. However, precipitation is highly variable both temporally and spatially. During a single storm, one area may receive significantly more or less water than a neighboring spot less than a mile away.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/recreation/outdoors/overview/UTNPARCH?from=search_vert

Avoiding the fragile cryptobiotic soil crusts is simple. Always drive or ride on designated roads. Respect road closures and search for places wide enough to pass other vehicles rather than driving over roadside vegetation. When hiking, always walk on marked trails, or on other durable surfaces such as rock or in sandy washes.

Arches is a relatively small park, with very few areas far enough from roads to qualify as backcountry. Outside the developed areas there are no designated trails, campsites, or reliable water sources. In order to backpack in Arches, you must obtain a free backcountry permit at the visitor center. The maximum group size is twelve, but smaller groups are strongly recommended to reduce impacts. Permits may not be reserved in advance. A small to medium-sized flashlight would be helpful. Depending on where you are hiking, you may encounter interesting places to explore that are not open to the sky. Backpackers should know how to navigate with a topographic map, recognize safety hazards and practice low-impact camping specific to the high desert. Primary safety considerations include steep terrain, loose rock, lightning, flash floods, and dehydration. Pets may not accompany groups in the backcountry.

Climbing in the Arches has regulations. Use of motorized drills is prohibited. Climbing is prohibited on any arch identified on current USGS 7.5 minute topographical maps; on Balanced Rock year-round; on Bubo from January 1st to June 30th; on Industrial Disease on the Devil Dog Spire from January 1st to June 30th. The use of chalk for climbing must be of a color which blends with the native rock. Climbers are encouraged to employ clean-climbing ethics, leave dull-colored webbing when recovery is impossible, and access climbing routes via established trails, slick rock or sandy washes.

Activities with pets are very limited at Arches. Pets are not allowed on any hiking trails. Pets may accompany visitors in the campground, and at overlooks and pullouts along the paved scenic drives. Pets may be walked on roads or in parking lots, but must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle. Pets may not be left unattended (except in a paid-for campsite in the Devils Garden campground, where they must not cause a disturbance). The desert can be deadly for pets. Car temperatures rise quickly in the sun, even on cool days. Your pet can easily die of heat exhaustion. If you are leaving a pet in a car, crack the windows as much as possible and leave water to drink. We recommend you not leave pets in the car at all when temperatures are above 68 degrees, even with the windows cracked.

Desert animals have a variety of adaptations for dealing with the temperature and moisture stresses present in Arches. Most desert animals are nocturnal, being most active at night. This can be an adaptation to both predation and hot summer daytime temperatures. Mostly nocturnal animals include kangaroo rats, wood rats (also called packrats), and most other small desert rodents, skunks, ringtails, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats and owls. Animals that are most active at dawn and dusk are called “crepuscular.” These times of day are cooler than mid-day. The half-dark makes prey animals less visible, yet visibility is good enough to locate food. Some animals are crepuscular mostly because their prey is crepuscular. Crepuscular animals include mule deer, coyotes, porcupines, desert cottontails, black-tailed jackrabbits, and many songbirds. A few desert animals are primarily active during the day, or “diurnal.” These include rock squirrels, antelope squirrels, chipmunks, lizards, snakes, hawks, and eagles.

Desert bighorn sheep live year-round in Arches, and are frequently sighted along Highway 191 south of the visitor center. These animals roam the talus slopes and side canyons near the Colorado River, foraging on plants and negotiating the steep, rocky terrain with the greatest of ease. Once in danger of becoming extinct, the desert bighorn are now making a tentative comeback that has been fueled by the healthy herds in nearby Canyonlands National Park.

Birds are the most visible animals in Arches. Even on the hottest summer day, turkey vultures and white-throated swifts circle above the rock formations. During winter, juncos and white-crowned sparrows forage around trees and shrubs. While Arches may not be considered a bird watching hot spot, 273 species have been seen in the park, including seasonal and year-round residents as well as migrants. Arches owes much of this diversity to riparian corridors like Courthouse Wash and the Colorado River (which forms the park’s southern boundary). In the desert, animal life tends to concentrate around riparian areas because of the abundance of food, water and shelter. During spring and summer, mornings in these areas are filled with birdsong, including blue grosbeaks, yellow-breasted chats, spotted towhees and canyon wrens. Great blue herons may be seen hunting the shallows for fish, while cooper’s hawks deftly maneuver through the tangle of trees beyond the riverbanks.

After birds, reptiles are the most active animals once daytime temperatures reach 90 degrees and higher. They are usually visible sunbathing on rocks or chasing insects with their lightning-quick reflexes. Lizards found here include the northern whiptail, the desert spiny, and the colorful western collared lizard. Most of the snakes found in Arches are harmless and nocturnal. All will escape from human confrontations given the opportunity. The midget-faded rattlesnake, a small subspecies of the western rattlesnake, has extremely toxic venom. However, full venom injections occur in only one third of all bites. The midget-faded rattlesnake lives in burrows and rock crevices and is mostly active at night.

The Arches has a natural quietness about it so that when the few frogs and toads that live here start up their chorus it may be one of the most memorable experiences canyon country has to offer. It is an awesome event that can fill a canyon with sound, sometimes for hours, but best heard while hiking, backpacking or camping.

Remember that all wildlife is wild and protected. Do not feed or harass any wildlife. Keep your distance from all wildlife.

The fee for motorcycles, bicycles and walk-ins (per person) is $5.00 for 7 days. Vehicle fees are $10.00 for 7 days. Entrance fee waivers are available to groups when the purpose of their visit is educational rather than recreational.

There is a Southeast Utah Group that is a local passport for entrance to Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges, that is $25.00/annually.

There is the Fiery Furnace Guided Walk led by a ranger that costs $10.00 for adults; $5 for children 6 to 12 years old and Golden Age Pass holders. Group size is limited, and walks often fill a day or two in advance. Reservations can be made in person at the visitor center up to seven days in advance.

The Devils Garden Campground is located eighteen miles from the park entrance and is open year-round, allowing for winter camping. Facilities include potable water, picnic tables, grills, as well as pit-style, and flush toilets. There are no showers. Bring your own wood or charcoal for the grills. Some RV camping sites will accommodate RV’s up to 30 feet in length. The campground has 52 individual camping sites which are $15 per night and will accommodate up to ten people.

Devils Garden is part of the National Recreation Reservation System (NRRS), which offers telephone and on-line reservations for both group and individual sites. Reservations are not accepted by the park, and the park does not maintain information about site availability. Up to 28 of the individual sites may be reserved through NRRS for nights between March 1st and October 31st. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than 240 days in advance. There is an additional $9 booking fee for reservations. To make a reservation, visit www.Recreation.gov, or call NRRS at (877) 444-6777, (877) 833-6777 (TDD), or (518) 885-3639. The remaining 24 campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the park entrance station or visitor center.

The campground has two sites for groups of eleven or more people. The Juniper Basin camping site will accommodate up to 55 people; the Canyon Wren camping site up to 35. The group camping fee is $3 per person per night, with a $33 per night minimum. No recreational vehicles or trailers are permitted in the group sites. Group campsites may be reserved through NRRS year-round. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than 360 days in advance. There is an additional $9 booking fee for reservations. Unreserved group campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of arrival.

Canyonlands National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Hovenweep National Monument, Canyon Rims Bureau of Land Management Recreational Area, Manti-La Sal National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Indiana Reservation , and Natural Bridges National Monument are all close to the park.

Commercial airlines serve Grand Junction, CO and Salt Lake City, UT. By car, these cities are roughly 2 and 4 hours (respectively) away from the park entrance.

The entrance to Arches is located 5 miles north of Moab along Highway 191.

Greyhound travels along Interstate 70, making stops at Grand Junction, CO and Green River, UT. Commercial van services operate between Moab and Salt Lake City as well as Grand Junction.

Approximate Mileage from the following major cities to Arches National Park:

By car:

Flagstaff, AZ – 328.74 miles

Salt Lake City, UT – 228.92 miles

Grand Junction, Co – 107.80 miles

Green River, UT – 46.81 miles

Thompson Springs, UT – 32.57 miles

By Greyhound Bus:

Green River, UT- stops 50 miles Northwest of Moab, Ut

By Train:

Thompson Springs, Ut – 40 miles Northeast of Moab, UT

Rental vehicles and taxis can be arranged as well.

Arches National Park , PO Box 907 , Moab , UT 84532-0907
Visitor Information 435-719-2299
Visitor Information (TDD) 435-719-2319
Headquarters 435-719-2100
By Fax 435-719-2305

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