Things to Do in Arches National Park

Arches National Park protects the largest group of naturally-occurring sandstone arches in the world—more than 2,000 of them—in addition to hundreds of pinnacles, rocky fins, strangely balanced rocks and other unique geological formations. Here, there are things to do and see around every corner.

Take the Scenic Route

The 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive leads to several of the park's best features, making it a perfect starting point or a great way to explore a lot if you're pressed for time. You can drop by the Arches Visitor Center along the way and attend a ranger-led program, or stop at a picnic area for lunch. Get some great snapshots of the vivid red sandstone scenery and, of course, see the iconic arches themselves.

Explore the Arches

You probably won't make it to each of the 2,000-plus arches in a lifetime let alone a single road trip, but there's no sense visiting Arches National Park without seeing at least some of them. Be sure to check out the park's most impressive, seemingly gravity-defying arches:

• The Windows: The section of the park known as the Windows includes several of the largest arches: Double Arch, North Window, South Window and Turret Arch. There are easy hiking trails that lead to each.
• Delicate Arch: Almost certainly the most famous arch in the park, Delicate Arch is a massive, finely carved arch that appears perched precariously at the edge of a steep slope. The opening beneath the arch is 64 feet high and 45 feet wide, and you have the option of observing it from a viewpoint about a mile below or climbing the 3-mile trail all the way to the arch itself.
• Devil's Garden: A vast expanse of meandering hiking trails and otherworldly rock formations, you can see several stone arches in the Devil's Garden area, including Landscape Arch, the longest in North America.

Go Horseback Riding

Few things can make you feel like you've been transported back in time like exploring Arches National Park on horseback. Several trails and backcountry areas throughout the park are open to equestrian use, including Seven Mile Canyon and Salt Wash. Contact the park or stop at the Arches Visitor Center to learn more about horseback riding, rentals, rules and restrictions.

Go Rock Climbing

Although the arches themselves are strictly off-limits, lots of areas are open to rock climbing. It's one of the most exciting things to do in Arches National Park, provided you have the skill level and necessary gear to tackle the steep sandstone rock faces. Look for established climbing routes in the Klondike Bluffs, Devil's Garden and Great Wall areas. Canyoneering is also possible in many areas. This challenge uses rock-climbing equipment to descend through the park's rock walls and canyons—think of it as rock climbing in reverse.

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