Arches National Park, Utah, United States

5haveboozewilltravel 5:00 PM Sep 25, 2022

Iconic Must See National Park
This was our latest of many visits to this iconic national park and, at nearly seventy-two, perhaps my last. It is one of five must see attractions in the Moab area. The other four being Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands Nt. Park, Potash Road and Fisher Rocks. Perhaps the premiere sight in the park is Delicate Arch which can be reached from the parking lot by a three mile roundtrip trail. Although somewhat strenuous on the gradual climb to get there, it is almost all downhill on the return leg. People my age who are healthy can make it, but need to take it slow and hydrate with water, particularly on the first half. My wife and I have done this hike in October 2019 and yesterday, September 25, 2022 after taking two shorter hikes and driving 350 miles! However, I would not recommend taking young children as the area surrounding Delicate Arch is on a steep slope. Other must see parts of the park are the “Windows” area (where we just took our other two hikes) and Landscape Arch reached on a two mile roundtrip hike. After one first drives up the steep cliff from the park entrance and reached the plateau, the road bends around steep stone monoliths and this is perhaps the most dramatic and unique experience in the park. if possible visit Arches National Park during cooler months, especially October as the heat can make longer hikes almost unbearable during the summer. Be advised that the park service now requires a timed entry reservation per vehicle that can be attained online at Recreation.gov prior to one’s visit.

4American-in-LondonUK 5:00 PM Aug 26, 2022

Amazing
Get your timed entry pass $2 at recreation.gov in advance, OR many passes open up the day before. I would still advise an early slot as when we left around 1230, the queue was over 90 min long according to the park signs. Something is not working smoothly! We did the viewing point to Delicate Arch, walked to Landscape Arch and the two others enroute and finished with the windows and double arch. I had wanted to hike to Delicate after reading that it had the 'best payoff' but I'm glad we didn't. There are plenty of arches to see without dragging your family in 100deg heat that far. Tip - go the Moab diner after your hike. Amazing diner food and service. Very popular.