To those enlightened in the tenets of John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt Zion National Park is considered one of the pillars of the National Park system, but to the laymen Arches National Park is the more recognizable of Utah’s five golden National Parks. The park is famous for its extensive collection of natural sandstone arches. More than two thousand can be found within the park’s boundaries (the largest concentration of arches in the world). The most recognizable feature, Delicate Arch (also colloquially known as chaps), is a symbol of Utah as well as a symbol for the entire National Park System. A number of arches can be seen right from your car window, but in order to truly appreciate their immensity (Landscape Arch the length of a football field and Delicate Arch is more than 50ft. tall) you need to stand underneath one. Luckily it doesn’t require much effort to do just that.

THE SCENIC DRIVE

This incredible drive should be sipped like a fine wine; slowly and deliberately. There are multitudes of named unearthly rock formations right along the road and if you look at them from the right angle most of the rocks do, in fact, resemble what their names imply. Sheep rock looks like an escapee from little Bo Peep’s flock. The three gossips resemble a trio of secretive silhouettes. Just after you reach BalancedRock, turn down The Windows Road. This 2.5 mile pavedroad takes you to an outcrop of arches and eventually loops back to the main road. Here you’ll see a myriad of formations including the Parade of Elephantsand North Window Arch. Short trails take you to more intimate views of Double Arch, Turret Arch, and North and South Window Arches. Back on the main road, head north toward Devil’s Garden. Another2.5 mile paved roadon your right takes you to Wolfe Ranch (the trailhead for Delicate Arch Trail) and at the end is the parking lot for the lower viewpoint of Delicate Arch. Delicate Arch Road loops back toward the main road where you should continue north to Devils Garden, the terminus of the scenic drive. Along Devil’s Garden Trail you’ll see Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world

DELICATE ARCH

Many hikes to incredible views are rather uneventful, but the finale is well worth the monotonous walk. The Delicate Arch hike, however, is a symphony with four movements. The first, consisting of rolling gravel-y hills is followed by a steep scamper up an exposed rock face. Then, after hopping over a few ledges and meandering through channels you emerge onto masses of barren sandstone and walk along uncovered red rock until Delicate Arch leaps out from behind a corner, leaving jaws agape.

The hike is a bit of a challenge and is a definite calf burner. The lengthy dash up the steep rock face is most significant obstacle and if you need to rest you’ll be standing at what feels like a forty five degree angle while you catch your breath. Everyone wants their picture with the arch, so take a number. It is one of the busiest hikes of its caliber in any National Park. Everyone is patiently waiting in line to get their moment under the arch, so give your phone to a stranger so they can snap your pic. Taking a picture without a human in the frame can be quite the challenge, but that is my new favorite hobby apparently. The hike isn’t terribly difficult so if you are able bodied, I highly recommend doing it, but if it’s just not in the stars for you there are two other options to see Delicate Arch. Honestly, finding parking at Wolfe Ranch in an RV was more strenuous than the hike was.

One mile past the Delicate Arch Trailhead are the Upper and Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoints. The upper viewpoint is still a moderately strenuous (half-mile round trip) trek to see the wonder from a short distance. The lower viewpoint is even more distant from the arch, but is wheelchair accessible and can be done in ~10 minutes.

LANDSCAPE ARCH

At 290ft. (nearly the length of a football field!) Landscape Arch is the largest natural arch in the world outside of China. Short side trips take you Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can continue on the Devil’s Garden Trail to Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, the Double-O Arches, and Devil’s Garden.