Arches National Park
Arches National Park
Arches National Park contains the greatest density of natural arches in the world! Millions of years of deposition, erosion and other geologic events have created over 2,000 natural windows, pinnacles, spires, strangely shaped rocks, and sandstone arches. The world-famous Delicate Arch is among these formations. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms and textures that is unlike any other in the world.
At A Glance
In The Park
Superintendent: Laura JossPhone Number: 435-719-2100
Entrance Fees: Vehicle Pass (valid for 7 days): $10; Individual Pass (valid for 7 days): $5; Local Passport (valid for 1 year and applies to Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and Hovenweep): $25
Sights: Fiery Furnace; Wolfe Ranch; Delicate Arch
Endangered Species: Colorado Pikeminnow; Razorback Sucker; Humpback Chub; Bonytail Chub; Southwest Willow Flycatcher
Important Dates
Established as Park: November 12, 1971By The Numbers
Acres: 76,359.00Highest Point: Elephant Butte (5653 feet)
Annual Visitation: 833,049 (2006)
Location
Latitude / Longitude :38.708330 / -109.562500 (map it)
State: UT
Nearby Big City: Moab, UT
Gateway Communities: Moab, UT; Thompson, UT; Cisco, UT
Nearby Airports: Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY); Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT)
Green Features
Has Recycling? : YesHas Shuttle System? : No
Has Volunteer Program? : Yes
Park Photos
Courthouse Towers
Michael Hare
Courthouse Wash
Mike Norton
Delicate Arch
Mike Norton
View More Arches Photos
In Detail
5 Things to do in Arches UPWARD MOBILITY Despite sandstone's soft crumbly consistency, the park offers a variety of excellent rock climbing ventures. Climbs here require advanced techniques. Permits are not required with the ... read more.
Activities Arches is located in a high desert region that is subject to a wide range of temperatures and climatic conditions. The summers are hot, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C) during m ... read more.
Flora & Fauna "A rock garden. Despite the great variety of living things to be found here, most of the surface of the land, at least three-quarters of it, is sand or sandstone, naked, monolithic, austere and unado ... read more.
History Arches is a park of contradictions. Like pieces of fine pottery, the arches stand in fragile impermanence amid this rugged landscape. Bearing the creative imprint of time and the elements, they will, ... read more.
Sights To See In some cultures, the naming of a place is an attempt at capturing its essence. People have given the wonders at Arches colorful and descriptive names: Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, Courthouse Towers ... read more.
Visitor Services Drive north on Route 24 from Capitol Reef, past Goblin Valley, and then east on Interstate 70. Travel south on U.S. 191 to reach Arches National Park, just five miles north of Moab. A free newspape ... read more.
Arches In Depth
News from the Parks
Alexander Backs New Source of Funding for National Parks
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
July 3, 2008 - 9:38am
U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) today announced he will cosponsor bipartisan legislation to create a new source of funding for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and other national parks across the country as part of the “Centennial Challenge” celebrating the 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016. “The Centennial Challenge could bring up to $4 million to the Smokies – the country’s most visited national park – and will go a long way toward improving park facilities, aiding conservation efforts, and helping build upon the excellent visitor services already offered. This 4th of July, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our country’s birthday than backing legislation that will aid efforts to preserve and celebrate our national parks, one of America’s greatest treasures.”
EPA's Pollution Plan Slammed
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
July 3, 2008 - 9:35am
City officials and business leaders here Wednesday warned that a federal proposal to relax air quality standards for the nation's national parks will ultimately be bad for business. Simply put, they said during a news conference at the entrance to Zion National Park, lower air standards being proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hurt this gateway city economically if fewer tourists visit the park. "Air pollution could damage the stars, vistas and clean air we enjoy," Springdale Mayor Pat Cluff said. "Some places deserve to be preserved and it is my responsibility to preserve [the park] for those who come here."
Dinosaur Fossils In Utah Inspire 'Jr. Paleontologists'
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
July 2, 2008 - 9:57am
Millions of years ago, northeastern Utah was a hot spot for dinosaurs. Today, people travel to the Dinosaur National Monument located on the borders of Colorado and Utah to see the leftover dinosaur bones. Visitors can see as many as 1,500 Jurassic-era fossils exposed on the cliff face of the Douglass Quarry.
A Paiute Take On Bryce Canyon's Hoodoos
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
July 2, 2008 - 9:56am
The red spindly rock formations that make up the views at Bryce Canyon National Park are called hoodoos. Geologists say they were formed by erosion, but Kevin Poe, chief of interpretation at Bryce, shares his take on the Paiute legend about hoodoos.
Can The Everglades Be Saved?
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
July 2, 2008 - 9:55am
Environmentalists have been issuing dire warnings about the deterioration of the Florida Everglades for years, saying these wetlands have to be restored in order to revive fragile ecosystems and increase scarce fresh water supplies. Over half of the Everglades are gone, irreversibly converted to urban or agricultural development. But this week, in an attempt to save what's left, the state of Florida announced a plan to buy nearly 200,000 acres of former wetlands from a sugar cane producer. Advocates say the plan is the largest restoration project in American history.
