ARCHES NATIONAL PARK RANKS IN OUR TOP TEN

Arriving on a mid day in May at Moab  Valley RV Park, UT without a reservation we encounter a grid lock of 4-wheel vehicles jammed at the entrance. JR told me to jump out and go on ahead into the office to see with any luck if there might a campsite available. It proved to be a smart move as I was able to secure us a campsite for five days. Once settled into the site, we hopped into the Jeep and drove to the Arches NP Visitors' Center three miles away. Arches National Park on the Northern outskirts of Moab, Utah, is another of the truly amazing scenic wonders of North America. It is a gorgeous 76,679 acre landscape which preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. The park is in the high desert where the forces of nature like erosion have exposed millions of years of geologic history, diverse colors and textures of arches and very unusual rock formations. 43 arches have collapsed since 1970, yet still the beauty of nature here does leave anyone in awe.

The scenery is varied, from desert to huge cliffs of shining red stone and all look different at different times of the day. The arches themselves are pretty spectacular as well as the soaring red sandstone cliffs. We let an audio CD tour guide us as JR drove the park’s winding road up to many turnouts and hiking trails, punctuated all along the way by magnificent rock and cliff formations. Hiking a short distance in the Park Avenue area at the first stop it was so windy our hats blew off. The 

view was phenomenal and we could hardly pull ourselves away taking our eyes off everything there.

Trekkin up hill

Easy you can do this. Keep climbing

Moving on we attempted to do several of the shorter hikes. Most of all, what one cannot miss is the hike to "Delicate Arch", the world-famous arch seen on Utah's license plates. 

Delicate Arch from Upper Overview

Turret Arch

Tunnel Arch 

Does this fellow poise or what? 

Pine Tree Arch

The other hiking trails were awesome as well, especially the "Devil's Garden" area with lizards scurrying about. Arches National Park is definitely a 5 star national park worth visiting anytime. We spent the best part of two and a half days here, and still didn't see all that we could have.
 Be aware one must arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds later in the day. Like so many of our national parks, Arches NP has become over impacted with visitors as well which is unfortunate for those seeking solace with nature. No matter what, without a doubt, this national park’s splendor does lift and renew your spirit though.

Sunrise at Arches

Pothole reflection