Arches National Park Sports & Outdoors

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Surprisingly, Arches NP allows rock climbing in the park. However, this is limited to certain designated rocks and pinnacles, which seem to be hard enough not to be damaged.
Consult with the park administration for possible routes.

My pictures are not of serious climbing, we only made some fun pics close to Delicate Arch.
Never ever do serious rock climbing in the clothes, my sis wears, or without security measures.

(sis is quite good in rock climbing now, but would also advise proper clothing :-) )


Update, May 18, 2006:
Out of current cause -

&$§%&/ "professional" rock climber Dean Potter has climbed Delicate Arch. This has lead to many controverse discussions, also as he claims that this has been 100% in line with his sponsor, a known US outfitter. However, he did NOT consult his climb with park officials.
They would NOT have allowed this !

Well - maybe this teaches us something:
respect for the statutes of National Parks;
=> just go somewhere else when you feel the absolute urge to climb rocks, and just leave the rocks in Arches NP untouched - all your children and grandchildren will be grateful for NOT reducing the shelf-life of these arches and pinnacles by thoughtless egocentric climbing.

Thanks.


Equipment: Effective May 6, 2006, rock climbing in Arches NP is now FORBIDDEN !

Quote from Arches NP Website

Effective May 9, 2006, under the authority of Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1, Section 1.5(a)(1), all rock climbing or similar activities on any arch or natural bridge named on the United States Geological Survey 7.5 minute topographical maps covering Arches National Park are prohibited.

In addition, slacklining in Arches National Park is prohibited. Slacklining is defined as walking on a rope or other line that is anchored between rock formations, trees, or any other natural features. Height of the rope above the ground is immaterial.

These closures are based upon a determination that such action is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety, protection of environmental or scenic values, protection of natural resources and avoidance of conflict among visitor use activities.

Mountainbikers do only have a limited amount of trails in the park. But around the park, around Moab are so many trails to bike, so there is no real need to MTB the park.


Equipment: As Moab is world famous for excellent slickrock biking, you better go biking outside of the park.
If you can't bring your own bike, you can rent one in the countless shops in Moab.

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There are so many great opportunities to walk/hike along the wonderful HIKING TRAILS in Arches National Park. Hans and I didn't do any hiking as we were not prepared to do so and besides you need to spend days here. But we sure did a lot of walking.
There are many EASY TRAILS to choose from:

Balanced Rock:
Length: 0.3 miles ( .05 km)
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A loop trail with picturesque rock formations

The Windows:
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km)
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A gentle climb up a gravel trail leads to three massive Arches - North & South Window & Turret Arch.

Double Arch:
Length: 0.8 mile ( 1.2 km)
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A relatively flat, sandy trail leads to the base of two giant arch spans which are joined at one end.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint:
Length: 100 yards (91 metres)
Time: 10 to 15 minutes

Sand Dune ARch:
Length: 0.3 mile (0.5 km)
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Trail leads through deep sand to a secluded arch among sandstone fins.

Broken Arch:
Length: 1.3 miles (2.1 km)
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Trail leads through fins with sand dunes and slickrock.

Skyline Arch:
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km)
Time: 10 to 20 minutes

Landscape Arch:
Length: 1.6 miles (2.6 km)
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A relatively flat, gravel-surfaced trail leads to a spectacular ribbon of rock, whose span is more than a football field in length.

Equipment: Wear sturdy shoes with enough tread to give you good traction.
Protect your skin with a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
Always carry and drink lots of water.
Stay on established trails.
Be safe.

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Park Avenue Trail starts at the Park Avenue parking area and ends at Courthouse Towers parking area. Length is 1 mile (1.6 km) one way.
Elevation Change: 320 feet (98 metres). From Park Avenue parking area, the trail descends steeply into a spectacular canyon and continues down the wash to Courthouse Towers. For round-trip hiking, retrace your steps along the trail rather than walk along the park road.

Equipment: Wear sturdy shoes with enough tread to give you good traction.
Protect your skin with a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
Always carry and drink lots of water.
Stay on established trails.
Be safe.

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The DELICATE ARCH TRAIL starts at Wolfe Ranch Parking area.
Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation Change: 480 feet (146 metres)
Take at least 2 litres of water with you. Open slickrock with some exposure to heights and no shade. The first half-mile is a well-defined trail. Upon reaching the slickrock, follow the rock cairns. The trail climbs gradually and levels out toward the top of this rock face. Just before you get to Delicate Arch, the trail traverses a rock ledge for about 200 yards.
For those who attempt this trail, the rewards are many, as Delicate Arch is an iconic image and often used as the symbol of Arches Park.
I stuck to looking at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint. There is still quite a climb to it, which already wore me out and the rewarding view is shown in Picture #4 - enlarge to see a teeny weeny view of the Arch. Look to the left of the picture.

Equipment: Wear sturdy shoes with enough tread to give you good traction.
Protect your skin with a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
Always carry and drink lots of water.
Stay on established trails.
Be safe.

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Start at the Devils Garden Trailhead ( the last area of the Park)
Length: 7.2 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time : 2 to 3 hours
Longest of the maintained trails in the Park, DEVILS GARDEN TRAIL leads to eight awe-inspiring arches. Expect narrow ledges with rocky surface hiking and scrambling on slickrock.

Hans and I walked a bit of this trail until the trail started to descend deeply into the valley. And as it was the last area of the Park, it was getting late in the afternoon.

Equipment: Wear sturdy shoes with enough tread to give you good traction.
Protect your skin with a hat, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen.
Always carry and drink lots of water.
Stay on established trails.
Be safe.

Hiking at Arches is very pleasant. If you you are an avid hiker, these walks are quite easy and very short. We had been living in the desert for about six weeks and we needed to wear long light colored clothing to protect our skin. My wife joked about wearing "our uniforms" and I know she was not thrilled about wearing not only the exact thing I was wearing but wearing a long loose white t-shirt and long baggy pants which were not really flattering. She was really annoyed when we did the Delicate Arch hike and many girls were dressed for a dinner date. We did the hike the next night again as we had the extra day and I'd spent the first night mostly taking photos, not really spending so much time with my wife. We'd had showers that day and she decided to wear more feminine attire the second time out. She did look great and I did spend the whole time right by her side.

Equipment: Proper hiking boots with good ankle support should never be put aside for fashion purposes and besides they look great even with sexy shorts. In the desert, it is best to hike with long sleeve shirts and pants but sometimes if the hike is not so long, it is late in the day, and it is a bit of a social gathering, one can certainly forgo the "uniform" for something a little fashionable. ;)

A secluded, less visited area of Arches National Park, one needs a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle or high-endurance, long-range hiking boots.

"KLONDIKE BLUFFS The Klondike Bluffs section was in 1940 the least known portion of the Monument. Cowboys report that it is impossible to get a horse more than fifty feet into the area anywhere, but a good foot trail leads to two points of interest. The bluffs are a jungle of slamon-hued sand-stone, not very large in area, but endless in variation...Into another butte the wind has carved beautifully symmetrical TOWER ARCH. Trails have been proposed for the Bluffs which will make them more accessible."
--- Utah. A Guide to the State, 1941

I am glad to update that this is still the least known section of the park. The trails have been improved some from the time of those cowboys, and can now be navigated with enough horses (under the hood) and a good knowledge of 4 wheel driving. Most of the road is passable by a capable 4 wheel drive vehicles, but some sections could still require some serious vehicle modifications.

Your other option to visit the bluff is a hiking trail, that will wind you through for about 7 miles.