Arches National Park-Utah

Located in the eastern part of the state of Utah,
Arches National Park is home to over 2000 natural
sandstone arches and unique rock formations. This
makes it one of the largest concentrations of natural
sandstone arches in the world.
The geological features of the park are truly
fascinating and include spires, pinnacles, pedestals
and balanced rocks. These are brilliantly contrasted
against a background of glorious colors and
spectacular landscapes.
The park is also home to the world-famous Delicate
Arch. This freestanding natural arch measures 52 feet tall and is the park's most widely
recognized icon. It can be reached via a short, though relatively strenuous hike, which is
definitely well worth it.
Located just outside of Moab and covering a total area of 119 square miles, the park is open year
round and can be enjoyed through various activities like hiking, biking, picnicking and camping.

The Seasons/Climate
Due to its position on the Colorado Plateau, this
high desert region tends to experience wide
temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The
most popular times to visit in the year are spring
(April to May) and fall (mid-September to October).
The climate at these times of the year is temperate,
with daytime temperatures relatively mild.
Summer is generally very hot in the park, making
activities like hiking and biking extremely
strenuous. As this is the monsoon season, be
prepared for violent storms and flash floods. Winter
in the park is generally very cold, and snow often
makes an appearance during the winter months.
This can make access to certain parts of the park difficult in an RV so it is important to ring ahead
before travel.



Things to Do
Hiking really is the best way to see Arches National Park and visitors can either choose to take a
guided walk or venture on one of the many tracks in their own group.

Hiking
Hiking within Arches National Park is the perfect way to experience the beautiful landscapes that
are on offer here.
For those wishing to take some short and easy walks, trails like Balance Rock, Broken Arch,
Double Arch, Sand Dune Arch and the Windows Trail will be perfect.
Some of the more difficult walks include the Devils Garden, Double O Arch, Fiery Furnace,
Primitive Loop, Skyline Arch and Tower Arch trails. These treks are the perfect way to discover
the magnificent wonders of this unique and intriguing park.

The Wildlife
Over 200 species of vertebrates and hundreds of species of invertebrates call the Arches National
Park home. Mammals you may encounter include squirrels, the mule deer and desert cottontails.
Many of the animals in the park tend to come out at night, including
Kangaroo rats, wood rats, skunks, ringtails, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats and owls. Other
animals that inhabit the park include
coyotes, porcupines and the tiny canyon
mouse.
Many of the animals are also active at dawn
and dusk, making these perfect times to
spot the wildlife.

sources- http://www.jurnii.com/rv/