Arches National Park is a mind-blowing place full of unique awesome rock formations, beautiful contrasting colors, and awesome hikes. The park has more than 2,000 natural stone arches – in case you were wondering where it got the name! The abundance of natural wonders makes it difficult to put together a top 5 things in Arches National Park list.
This park is small in size compared to other national parks around the United States but has many impressive things to see. Its size makes it very easy to get around the entire park in a short amount of time – at least compared to other national parks.
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5. Arches Scenic drive
Arches National Park is very small but within lives some of the most impressive views of the beautiful state of Utah. The scenic drive should take around 4-7 hours with stops at all major scenic viewpoints and some short hikes. Honestly, just driving from one end to another is incredibly rewarding. This is one of the coolest ways to experience the park. The landscapes are jaw-dropping. You will pass by some of the park’s most iconic features and can make stops along the way.
4. Garden of Eden
This is not just one rock formation but a collection of rock towers that make you feel like you just landed on Mars. “Mission complete. I’ve landed on what can only be described as an alien world—no signs of life, just endless stretches of rugged terrain, towering rock formations, and an atmosphere that feels as ancient as time itself.” Even though this is not a hike – you may walk around the rock formations to capture the scenery. This is a great spot to sit down, take in the views, relax, and take the refreshing breeze.
3. Double Arch
Double Arch is a very short visit but one of the most amazing things to see in the park. Definitely one of my favorites. It is a short hike away from the Windows parking lot. We highly recommend going all the way up for a better view and a great picture! Make sure to get a picture of yourself like the one below. Look up and get an awesome view of the two arches with the sky behind them.
2. Sand Dune Arch
Sand Dune Arch is hands down my favorite part of the park. Sand Dune Arch is like a secret spot hidden in a narrow winding passage, with golden and reddish sand that feels like you are walking into a paint. It is an ancient oasis in hidden by towering red rock formations. The sand changes color as you walk towards the arch due to the change in light. You will walk in between rows of sandstone fins until you reach the big attraction. The place is very narrow and will provide you with shade from the sun.
1. Delicate Arch
Every place in the world has that one must-see attraction, Delicate Arch is the must-see of this wonderful park. It is by far the most popular attraction and lets be honest – this is probably one of the first things you came across when looking up things to do in Arches National Park.
You must hike to get to the Arch so we recommend starting early to avoid crowds! It is a 3-mile roundtrip moderate hike and should take about 2.5 hours or more, depending on how long you will stay to enjoy the views!
Arches National Park is like a natural theme park where you get to see all the attractions all around you, some from the distance. It can be overwhelming, in a good way. Whether you’re chasing epic views or just vibing with the landscape, it’s a place that’ll stay with you long after you leave.
Would you include a different attraction in the top five for Arches National Park? Let us know in the comments.