Two-Day Guide to Arches
Ten things we learned during our first experience at Arches!
1) Car-over at the KOA:
If you're a couple and have a car large enough to fit most of your body length, the car-over is the best option. After day one on the rocks, we pulled in at 10:00pm to our reserved KOA parking spot, put our bags in the front, and snuggled in bed with our pre-made shelter. Five minutes later we watched our neighbors headlights pull in, set up a tent, and sighed at our luck while the winds and rains rampaged their nightly abode. If you're a couple, car-over at the KOA.
2) When to Buy a Parks Pass
For a week pass to Arches, we payed $30. The All-Parks Pass is a little over double that, at $80 for a year. So even if you're only planning on visiting one or two more parks, buy the year pass! Canyonlands is just a hope, skip, and a stone's throw away (if you're an Olympic shot-puter). If you find a few extra days, visit both and have the All-Parks Pass for the next time you drive through Yellowstone on your way to Canada.
3) Skip the Small Stuff
Take a look at this map of Arches National Park.
There's a lot to do and a lot to see. Don't get stuck taking pictures of the gift shop!
Our first day we noticed a lady who pulled off and was taking pictures of what looked like nothing. If you only have two days, drive by the bushes and spend your time on the gorgeous hikes! We recommend staggering short hikes with long hikes and taking relaxing drives in between.
Day 1: 10:00-8:00
Drive By: Sheep Rock/Three Gossips
Viewpoint: Petrified Dunes
Small Hike: Balanced Rock
Viewpoint: Garden of Eden
Large Hike: North/South Windows/Turret Arch
Viewpoint: Panorama Point
Viewpoint: Delicate Arch
Lunch: Fiery Furnace View
Long Hike at Devil's Garden: Tunnel Arch/Pine-Tree Arch/Landscape Arch/Double-O Arch
Day 2: 9:00-3:00
Long Hike: Delicate Arch
Lunch: Fiery Furnace View
Finish up at Devil's Garden: Navajo Arch/Partition Arch
4) Schedule Fiery Furnace Ahead
This was our favorite viewpoint- thus, our luncheon location both days. While crunching on carrots, we saw kids in bright pink jumping around the fiery furnace spots below. Unfortunately, Spring Break weekend had us visiting when all the permits were sold out. Permits can be obtained 7 days in advance. Visit early and save yourself from watching other kids have all the fun!
5) Sunscreen from the Start
"Meh, what could happen," I thought. The clouds weren't even out. Yet, 8 hours later I'm regretting my decision while I listen through a 12 year-old boy scout telling me off, "What happened to you. You're all red! You should have put on sunscreen."
Well, I beat him to the Double-O Arch, so there.
6) Snack, snack, snack! Waaaaater...
We had food storage for a year in the bag of our car. Chocolate chip granola bars, Nutrigrain bars, carrots, sandwich supplies, chips and salsa, the whole shebang. We lucked out on the weather, though. If it had been hotter, our two Gatorades and water supply would have had us seeing Oasis illusions under Delicate Arch. On a normal summer day, bring whatever coolant you can. Spray fans, ice-bags, frozen water bottles. There are also water fountains at the Delicate Arch and Devil's Garden trails.
7) Rock Cairns Guide the Way
Have you seen a pile of rocks? A rock Cairn as I recently learned. They aren't statues made my boredom boy scouts. Nope. They're set up by park rangers to guide hikers on the primitive trails. Know this, and you will save yourself time and torture.
8) Devil's Garden looks like Heaven's Garden
This was our favorite! So much to explore.
We spent more time here than at any other trail.
9) Hidden Walkway- Navajo Arch
Don't pass this one up. It may just be another arch but if you walk through the gateway, past the postured pine tree, around the brush, there's a hidden walkway between two slabs of rock. Walk up and you will find a tree growing in the middle and emerge on the outside up high on a rock wall. Everyone will think you are an extravagant explorer.
10) Good Eats
First off, a pica burrito with bean and cheese is not a vegetarian burrito with pico de gallo. As a fence-sitter vegetarian, picking around the pork is one of my least favorite past times. I ordered the pica hoping it was a typo for pico. But, oh no, it was not so.
Pica is actually a shredded beef. So if you happen to be a vegetarian at Fiesta Mexicana, be sure to clarify any questionable orders. Also, no horchata and spicy salsa.
A list of delicious restaurants:
- Feeling Lucky? Quesadilla Mobilla $
- Breakfast Day: Jailhouse Cafe $$
- Romantic: Sunset Grill $$$
- Italian Night: Pasta Jays $$$
- Fancy Shmancy: Desert Bistro $$$$
Feel free to message me with any travel questions!
