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Writer's pictureStephanie Matheson

Arches National Park

With over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, the highest density of natural arches in the world, Arches National Park has so much to see and explore! You'll also want to make sure you take advantage of some incredible star gazing at night!


Moab is the largest town that you'll stay in on the road trip and has a lot to offer!


Lodging:

  • There's another Wander Camp location near Moab. I'm a big fan of the glamping experience, but unfortunately wasn't able to stay here when I went through. Setting up glamping tents is weather dependent. My trip was on the early end of the season (March), and due to a late snow storm, they didn't have camp setup by the time I got there. Something to keep in mind if you're traveling/making reservations during early spring.

  • There are so many hotel/motel options in Moab - everything from popular chain hotels to smaller motels. I ended up staying at the Element Moab and really enjoyed it. Their pool/sauna area was lovely!

  • If you're traveling with a larger group and wanting to stay for at least a couple nights, there are a lot of cute Airbnb options in the area as well.

  • Camping in Arches NP can be EPIC on a clear sky night! You can camp at Devils Garden Campground between March 1st - October 31st.


Food:

  • If your lodging doesn't provide breakfast, Jailhouse is a great way to start your day!

  • Antica Forma - this was one of my favorite meals on the whole trip! Wood-fired pizza and authentic Italian pasta.

  • Sweet Cravings Bakery + Bistro - I got a sandwich to go and took it into the park with me for a delicious picnic with a view! And as always, LEAVE NO TRACE!

  • After a long day of hiking, it can be nice to end the day with a cold beer (or homemade root beer) and some hearty food; Moab Brewery makes the perfect spot for this! It can get pretty packed on weekends or during peak tourist season.

  • Other restaurant recommendations that I didn't get a chance to try (this time): Sultan Mediterranean Grill, Thai Bella, and Desert Bistro.


Some of my favorite + must do hikes/views:

  • Spur Trail (1.2 miles) - Double Arch, Windows, + Turret Arch (incredible arches and views in such a small area).

  • Garden of Eden

  • Arches Scenic Drive - You can enjoy these views right from your car! There are many places for you to get out for photo ops, including La Sal Mountains Viewpoint and Balanced Rock.

  • Sand Dune Arch (.4 miles)

  • Delicate Arch (3 miles) - as seen on Utah's license plate! I recommend going for sunrise or sunset - another NP to try to avoid on weekends due to crowds.

  • If you want to escape the crowds and explore hidden parts of Arches National Park, book a ticket on the ranger-led Fiery Furnace tour.


If you're wanting to visit the other National Parks in Utah,

make sure to check out my Ultimate "Mighty Five" Road Trip blog post.


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