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Moab Utah Area Parks
From giant balanced rocks to slender monoliths, the red-rock formations appear to be giant sculptures, Arches National Park contains the world's largest concentration of natural sand stone arches. Although more than 2,000 arches are located within the park's 76,518 acres, the park also contains a startling diversity of other geological formations such as colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and towering spires.
Arches National Park
During the peak season, this park is very popular. Plan on lots of people; be patient and enjoy the magnificent sites around you. Water is available at the visitor center and at the end of the road at Devils Garden trailhead. There are no concessions in the park. It's best to carry plenty of food and plenty of water!
From the visitor center take the 18-mile scenic drive that leads to the north end of the park. Two, short side trips lead to Wolfe Ranch/Delicate Arch and The Windows section. Many of the rock formations are visible from the road and numerous pullouts and viewpoints have interpretive signs, but take the short walks off the road to see the colossal rock formations up close.
Hiking
Arches offers hikers opportunities ranging from sort walks (0.2 miles) on nature trails to more adventurous hikes of seven miles. Although many arches can be seen from the road, it is worth it to get out of the car and walk around. These arches offer many different perspectives, especially up close.
No matter how long you hike, be prepared! Always carry and drink water.
Hiking on slickrock when wet is not recommended.
For a unique adventure, take a hike in the Fiery Furnace. It has a separate fee and you must go with a ranger, but it is well worth it! These popular hikes fill up quickly so make reservations and get our ticket at the visitor center.
Only 2.2 miles from the visitor center is a huge fin named Park Avenue that reminded early park visitors of the New York City skyline. Take the easy one-mile trail from Park Avenue to Courthouse Towers. Note the giant stone monoliths named The Three Gossips that appear to be three very tall women talking in a circle.
About 9 miles from the visitor center is Balanced Rock, a perfect example of two varieties of sandstone. A huge boulder sits on top of a smaller one, achieving one of nature's most incredible balancing acts. An easy .3-mile trail circles Balanced Rock.
Biking
Arches offers great opportunities for both road and mountain biking; however, there are no bike lanes and traffic can be heavy at times. The Salt Valley and Willow Springs road are less traveled and are more suited to mountain bikes due to washboards, deep sand and other obstacles. Bicycles are only permitted on roads; there is no single track or trail riding in the park. You need to pay $5 to ride in the park.
New Camping Reservation System
Arches is now part of the National Recreation Reservation System. Up to 30 sites may be reserved from March 1st through October 31st. Reservations must be made no less than 4 days and no more than 240 days in advance. For reservation, visit the webs site www.ReserveUSA.com or call 877-444-6777. Reservations are not accepted in the park; staff cannot tell you whether a site is available for a particular date.
Picnic tables, grills and flush toilets are available. No wood gathering is allowed, so bring your own firewood.
What about pets?
Pets are not allowed on any hiking trails. They may accompany visitors in the campground, at overlooks and at pullouts along the paved scenic drives. Pets may be walked on roads or in parking lots but must be leashed at all times when outside a vehicle.
General Information
(435)719 2299, www.nps.gov/arch 5 miles north of Moab on Hwy 191. Devils Garden, the end of the road, is 18 miles from the visitor center.
Park Hours
The park is open year round, 24 hours a day. The visitor center has extended hours April through September.
Entrance Fees
*Vehicle Pass: $10, 1 vehicle and all passengers for seven days
*Individual Pass: $5 I individual (on bicycle, foot or motorcycle) for seven days
*Annual local passport: $25, entrance into Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument.
*National Parks Pass or Golden Pass (Age, Eagle and Access) are accepted.
Note: all passes can be purchased at the entrance station of the park. Credit cars are accepted.
Visitor Center
Hours of operation are 7:30am-6:30pm until autumn. The visitor center is open year round, except for Dec. 25. Hours vary according to the season.
Canyonlands National Park
General information
(435)719-2313 www.nps.gov/cany
Park hours
The park is open year round, 24 hours a day. The visitor centers have extended hours April through September.
Entrance fees
(good for all three districts of Canyonlands)
Vehicle pass: $10, 1 vehicle and all passengers for seven days
*Individual pass: $5, 1 individual (on bicycle, foot or motorcycle) for seven days
Annual local passport: $25, entrance into Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Hovenweep National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument.
National Parks pass or Golden pass (age, Eagle and Access) are accepted.
Note
All passes can be purchased at the entrance station of the park. Credit cards are accepted.
This park is so huge it's been split into three very distinct sections: Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze. While all adjoin each other, the merging paths of the Green and Colorado Rivers have trisected this rugged and sensational natural landscape. Each area must be reached from different entry points. All three visitor centers are open 8am-4:30pm (extended hours spring to fall). Water, information and books are available. Water must be purchased at Island in the Sky, so fill your tanks before leaving town! No food is available in any district. Take plenty of food and even more water! Stop by each visitor center for more information on suggested hikes, ranger-led programs and back-country roads. This is a land of extremes, from dramatically steep cliffs to vast panoramas, and it is extremely dry.
Backcountry Permits Help Line
(435)259-4351 (Mon-Fri, 8am-12:30pm)
www.nps.gov/cany/reserve.htm
Reservations requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. Reservations may not be made over the phone or by email. Fax your reservations to (435)259-4285. Primitive backcountry campsites and at-large backpacking zones exist in each district of Canyonlands. These sites may be accessed by foot, 4WD vehicle or boat. Permits are required for all overnight trips and may be reserved in advance. Backcountry permits are issued until one half hour before close of business each day.
Camping
There are developed campgrounds in Island in the Sky and The Needles districts. They are located along the scenic drives and offer toilets, picnic tables and fire rings. No wood gathering allowed; bring you own. First-come first-served. Additional fee of $10 in the Needles and $5 in Island in the Sky. Maximum RV length of 28ft.
Hiking
There are several options for hiking and backpacking in this extensive park. For the best suggestions that will properly fit the needs of your group, stop by the visitor centers for hikes, distances and maps.
Pets
Not allowed at all in the backcountry or on hiking trails. Must be leashed when outside the car and in parking lots.
Island in the Sky District
General information
(435)259-4712
www.nps.gov/cany/island
North on Hyw 191, 10 miles to Utah Hwy 313, then southwest 22 miles to the visitor center. Visitor center to Grand View Point is 12 miles.
This section of the park sits atop a massive 1,500ft mesa above the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. Over twenty miles of paved road lead to many spectacular views. The paved road has pullouts where you can stop to see canyon
The Needles District
General information
(435)259-2652
www.nps.gov/cany/maze
The Hans Flat Ranger Station is three hours from Moab via I-70. From I-70 take Utah Hwy 24 south for 24 miles. After Goblin Valley State Park take a hard left, turn onto a dirt road for 46 miles.
The Maze, the least accessible district of Canyonlands, is a remote region of tangled rock wilderness. The roads are passable only in a 4WD vehicle or on a mountain bike. There are no developed campgrounds. Travel to The Maze requires more time as well as a greater degree of self-sufficiency.
Dead Horse Point State Park
General Information
(435)259-2614
www.stateparks.utah.us
North on Hwy 191, 10 miles to Utah Hwy 313, southwest 21 miles, turn left at intersection, 4 miles to visitor center. Visitor center with information, gift shop, books and water.
Dead Horse Point State Park is located 30 miles north of Moab. Perhaps Utah's most spectacular state park.
Entrance fee
$7 daily pass per car, $4 for bicycle or motorcycle, $2 per person on a tour bus, payable at the visitor center.
Note: This is a state park so your National Parks pass will no be valid here nor does the entrance fee for tis park allow you entrance to the nearby Canyonlands National Park or ARches National Park.
Camping
There are 21 fully developed sites, $14 per site, which should be reserved in advance. Call 800-322-3770 at least three days in advance. Camping fee includes entrance fee. Each site has hookups (20 amp circuit), picnic tables, fire grates, tent pads, covered shelter and overhead lighting. Water is available at the bathroom all year. Private group sites available.
The perfect setting
Dead Horse Point is astonishing--perfect when the sun is setting. The 5,250-acre park sits on a sandstone promontory that drops 2,000 ft to the Colorado River. The views from the edge are spectacular. Below, the Colorado makes a sharp hairpin through a landscape broken into a series of eroded terraces that resembles a more expansive version of the Grand Canyon.
From here, you are looking into all of Canyonlands National Park.
Access to the plateau below the park's overlook is via an unpaved road and requires a 4WD vehicle.
Why Dead Horse?
Local legend has it that cowboys built a fence across the narrow neck of land to corral horses. A negligent cowboy who had penned up a herd of horses apparently forgot about them. When other cowboys found the horses, they had died of thirst.
