Can you die without walking? Journey to American National Parks (10) A work of art created by nature. A must-visit Arches National Park before you can no longer see it
Written by Sayaka Kato
Arches National Park is lined up like a work of art, with rock arches naturally created by erosion caused by years of rain, snow, and wind .
It is said that there are over 2,000 arches in the park, about half the area of Tokyo's 23 wards, and this is the place where the arches that have naturally formed on Earth are most gathered! There is also a theory that. It is a popular national park that continues to attract many people. The perfect arches tower everywhere, so perfect that you'll feel like you're an artificially built theme park. The arch erosion that took place over a long period of time continues to this day, and there is a possibility that the opportunities to see these landscapes will decrease even further in the future. It's best to go see them early.
Even in the park, this delicate arch is a separate, beautifully arched rock.
This symbolic Delicate Arch, which is also used in the plate design of a Utah car (photo below), can be viewed close by walking.
This time we will introduce the delicate arch and hiking trails, one of the most popular hiking trails in Arches National Park.
table of contents
Arches is a symbolic national park in Utah. What is a delicate arch hiking trail?
This is a very popular hiking trail in Arches National Park. Many people walk in to see that elegant and imposing arch at first sight. It's a well-balanced hiking trail with just the right amount of slopes and flat areas. It is also one of the popular trails that is not too harsh.
How to get to Arches National Park
Approximately 10 minutes by car from the nearest city of Moab (this is the best place to stay)
From Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
It takes about 4 hours by car. From (SLC), there are also routes to the sets of Arches National Park , Canyonlands National Park , Dead Horse Point State Park , and Monument Valley
From McCarran International Airport (LAS) (Las Vegas)
It takes about 7 hours by car. From (LAS), there is also directions to Arches National Park via Zion National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park and Capitol Reef National Park
Accommodation
nearby Moab is the basis for your trip. There are many Airbnbs, mainly in the city of Moab, as well as motels, resort hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and gift shops, so you can easily find what you need here.
Nearby, Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park , and together with Arches, you can enjoy the great American wilderness starting from the city of Moab. If you have the time, it's best to stay in Moab for a couple of nights to visit the surrounding national parks together. Plus, outdoor enthusiasts can apply for tours such as mountain bike tours, four-wheel drive tours and river rafting in the Colorado River area here.
Moab's town is crowded during busy seasons such as summer vacation, so if you can't stay in Moab, there are other areas where you can stay, such as Grand Junction, Colorado, if you go down south, Monticello, and Branding.
Admission Fee (as of March 2020*)
There is no need to proceed in advance to enter the park. You only need to pay the entrance fee at the entrance.
- General car (private car) $30.00 (up to 15 passengers)
- Bike $25.00
- Non-car bicycles and hiking people are $15.00 per person
Opening hours
The entrance is open 24 hours a day, all year round. The visitor centre is just inside the entrance.
Visitor Center Opening Hours (Special opening days may be held on public holidays)
- November to March: 8am to 4pm
- March, April, October: 8am to 5pm
- Other than that: 8am to 6pm
What is the information center at the park? Can I replenish my food and equipment?
You can collect information such as maps at the Visitor Center, but there are no food and drinks available, so make sure you prepare well in the city of Moab . There is a place where you can refill water at the entrance to the visitor centre.
At the Visitor Center, you can learn about the history of Arches and other things, including merchandise with the Arches logo that can only be purchased there, as well as Arches movies, and there is also a bookstore where you can learn about the history of Arches. When you try to stop by the visitor centre on the way home, it often becomes late and you won't be able to close in time, so we recommend stopping by before heading out to sightseeing in the park.
weather
The desert climate is unique to the Grand Circle, making the summer very hot, and the winter is also quite cold due to the high altitude. It is dry all year round, but be careful in the summer as it is especially dry and the sun is very strong. In the past, the heat has been recorded as 46 degrees in July.
Recommended hiking seasons are from April to June and from September to November. Summer vacation is also available from June to August, and the park is also busy. April, October and November are the best season with relatively few people. (In the summer, the temperature is slightly above 40 degrees, so take precautions for heat stroke.) The off-season is from December to March. Especially in January and February, which is midwinter, there is snow accumulation and temperatures are quite low.
The national park itself is open all year round so you can visit, but the weather is easy to change so be sure to stay up to date. Information on admission restrictions, weather and conditions can be the Archees National Park website .
Good things to carry on hiking
- Drinks (I think it's fine if you have a lot in the summer, about 4 liters.)
- Cold weather wear that can adjust the temperature
- Trekking shoes
- hat
- sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Snacks and more for eating while hiking
- If you have a regular medicine, first aid such as medicine or band-aid
- rain gear
Delicate Arch Trail Hiking Information
- Distance: Round trip approx. 5 km Elevation difference: Approx. 186m
- Time required: Round trip: Approx. 2.5 to 3 hours
The delicate arch is famous for its appearance dyed in the sunset, but its beautiful towering appearance will captivate many people no matter how you come. However, during the summer, the area is lightly over 40 degrees. If you are planning to hike in the summer, we recommend that you go hiking during the colder period, such as early morning or evening.
During the sunset time, the sky and arches change colours from time to time are nothing but art that only natural world can create, and truly beautiful worlds are spread. However, it will be pitch black after sunset and it will be a bit dangerous on the way home. Get information at the Visitor Center and enjoy it by planning to return before it gets pitch black, taking into account the time of the sun and travel time.
Also, if you wait until sunset before descending the mountain, the path will become unseen, so a flashlight is an essential item (we do not recommend hiking as it is slippery and very dangerous during winter snowy seasons or when the temperature is low).
The area inside Arches National Park is very simple. Get a free map at the Visitor Center and drive towards the trailhead of the delicate arch. If you go directly from the Visitor Center (1 on the map) to the delicate arch trailhead (3 on the map), you will arrive north in about 30 minutes.
There are view points (2 and 4 on the map) on the driveway along the way, and there are some recommended points, so we will also introduce some options to stop by adding to your hike.
Balanced Rock
Although this is not an arched rock, it is one of the most famous rocks that represents the park.
The rock that had climbed onto the top was about to fall, and it was a rock that made me feel nervous.
There is a short 0.5km trail that allows you to walk around, so you can walk around in a loop, feeling like a walk. If you have time, please try walking. You can walk in just 30 minutes. The closer you get, the more you will be surprised at how big the rock is.
Windows Section and Double Arch
Turn right at the end of Balance Lock and drive for about 4km and you will hit a loop-like parking lot. The Windows section is on the right of the parking lot (photo below). There are two large arches named North Window and South Window, and on the other side there is another arch called Turret Arch, a collection of many arches and a full range of attractions.
From the parking entrance, you will find a 1.2 km trail to the point where you can see the double arch (photo below). This double arch is also very impressive and was used as a filming location for filming.
There are double arches and windows sections in almost the same area, so be sure to stop by after balance lock or on your way back from a delicate arch hike.
Just conquering this place alone will be a small hike, so if you're worried about your physical strength, it might be a good idea to set up a schedule here and walk on a different day than the delicate arch! If you're physically strong, you can go all out in one day.
To the delicate arch trailhead
It takes about 30 minutes by car from the visitor centre to the hiking trailhead. There are no shops, so please prepare plenty of water and snacks.
There is a parking lot and a portable toilet. There are a lot of cars parked so you'll know right away.
Basically, there are plenty of trails, and there are many people walking, so the trail itself is very easy to understand and easy to walk. Along the way, there is a familiar cologne that will guide you. It was a pretty flat road at first!
After walking for about 10 minutes, you will see a loose sloped hill in front of you. It's surprisingly easy to hurry here! The altitude and the rustling sensation of the desert area take away more physical strength than you think, so don't rush too much!
From now on, there will be a relaxed uphill. If you're healthy, it's not a problem at all.
Many of the people walking were elderly, and many of them were walking with the support of their families, each one taking a break and then walking again. It was a very heartwarming sight.
There are solid signs in places you might be confused, so follow them.
The scenery is unique to the Grand Circle and is magnificent and wonderful, and if the weather is nice, the blue sky and red clay will stand out even more beautiful.
The delicate arch doesn't show up until the end, so as I walk around with the feeling that "save the fun for the last moment," I always feel excited that I might not be able to go yet or not.
At the end, there are some narrow paths, and on the other side there are some cliffs, so be sure to always be careful about your feet. The second half will be a walking route along the rocky mountains.
And finally, when we finally see an open spot, we see a gorgeous and imposing delicate arch. It is about 14m tall, making it equivalent to a four-storey building.
There are spaces around you to relax, so after taking photos, you can enjoy a lunch box, lying down, and spend your time freely in front of the luxurious sights.
Once you fully enjoy the delicate arch, take the path you came back. I think I'll be able to get back to the trailhead in about an hour.
The delicate arch is famous for its sunsets, but it is a popular spot during the high season outside of winter, so the area around the arch is extremely crowded with tourists. So if you're looking for free times, we recommend visiting during the morning glow.
After the hike, on my way home by car, the rocks dyed in the sunset were very mysterious.
A brief sunset time.
The vivid colors of the sky that you don't usually see. The beautiful, ever-changing sunset sky will calm your heart and end your day.
The arches that had been created over a long period of time continue to erode, with some already crumbling arches, and some are beginning to crumble. For this reason, national parks are even recommending that anyone interested come as soon as possible. It may not be easy to visit for a while, but please come and see someday a piece of natural art that you will never see in Japan.
Notes regarding the spread of COVID-19
As of July 2020, various countries are likely to experience a variety of situations, including entry restrictions due to the strengthening of quarantine systems, restrictions on admission to national parks, and restrictions on travel within the country. These conditions may change without notice, so when traveling, be sure to obtain local information such as embassies and consulates of each country, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas safety website (infectious disease risk information) and national park websites, and check the information about the transfer location, the countries where you plan to travel, and the area around the destinations you plan to visit before making any effort to plan and take reasonable steps.
Kato Sayaka
Leave your hiking and travel plans to Arches National Park to us. Due to my father's influence, I have always loved outdoor activities, and since I was in Japan, I was captivated by the great nature of America and Canada, and as a result, I arrived at the United States, which I had longed for. We currently run ANAMI TOURS, which offers local optional tours that can be created with customers, including completely private hiking tours with Japanese guides. We will introduce you to some special options that you can find out because you are a local resident. If you are interested, please visit the website below.
