Arches National Park

Arches National Park is located in Utah, next to the Colorado River, 4 miles north of Moab, Utah. Arches National Park contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. One well known arch is Delicate Arch. The park contains the most arches around the world.

The park is 76,680 acres equaling 119.81 square miles. Elephant Butte, is the highest elevation inside the park. The visitor center is the lowest elevation at 4,085 feet. The area of the park was originally named a national monument on April 12, 1929. In November 1971 it was redefined as a National Park.

The purpose of the Park is to save the geographical area, wildlife, and vegetation for future generations use.

Things to do in and around Arches National Park

There are many things to do in and around the Arches National Park. Things you can do include:

Backpacking
Car tours
Hiking
Camping
Fishing
Bicycling
Horseback riding
Canyoneering

Photography catch some of the most breathtaking scenery, sunsets, and more
Rock Climbing
Cross country skiing
Star gazing
Commercial tours
Bird watching

There are plenty of animals for you to see at the park that include the following:

Spadefoot toad
Antelope squirrel
Peregrine falcon
Red fox
Desert bighorn sheep

Kangaroo rat
Mule deer
Cougar
The collared lizard

Plants are also abundant in the landscape in the park. The list of plants include:

Spadefoot toad
Antelope squirrel
Peregrine falcon
Red fox
Desert bighorn sheep

Kangaroo rat
Mule deer
Cougar
The collared lizard

Other things to see and do outside the park

Canyonlands by Night and Day 1861 N Hwy 191, Moab (North of the Colorado River bridge)
Downtown Moab offers a great assortment of restaurants, microbreweries, shops, and galleries.
Museums
Wineries

Climate in Arches National Park

The park receives on average less than 10 inches of rain per year.

The average temperatures in the park range from 41 degrees F in Jan and Dec to 98 in July. The average snowfall for the year is around 8 inches.

Must see views of Arches National Park

The park is full of breathtaking beauty, but you really must see Balanced Rock, Devils Garden, and the Windows Section. These picturesque beauties will make striking photos.

Fees and or passes for the park

The fees are used for the park to keep it beautiful for future generations.

Arches National Park Fees & Permits

Weekly Passes

The following passes provide access to Arches for seven successive days:

Private vehicle: $30

Motorcycle: $25

A person entering by foot or bicycle: $15 (Under 15 is free of charge)

Other Passes

These passes give access to the pass owner and their passengers to all U.S. national parks (including Arches) and federal recreational lands:

Yearly Pass: $80

4th Grade Yearly Pass: free

Military Annual Pass: free

Lifetime Senior Pass (62 and older): $80

Yearly Senior Pass (62 and older): $20

Lifetime Access Pass (available for those with a permanent disability): free

Southeast Utah Annual Pass (access to Arches, Canyonlands, and Natural Bridges National Monument): $55

Hours of operation

The park is open every day of the year (24 hours a day).

The visitor center is located just inside the park, just off US-191, about five miles north of Moab, and is open every day during the following hours:

April through September: From 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

October through early November: From 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

November: From 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

December through February: From 9:00am to 4:00 p.m.

The visitor center is closed on January 1^st, Thanksgiving day, and December 25th