Arches National Park in the Round

Published Date

February 11, 2010

Double Arch is one of the icons in the Windows Section of Arches National Park. NPS photo by Tom Gray.

Professor Bob has never been to Arches or Canyonlands national parks, though he's threatening to visit this spring. In the meantime, here's something to whet his anticipation -- a 360-degree view of Double Arch in Arches National Park.

Double Arch is one of the most accessible arches in the park. Located in the Windows Section of Arches, you can park your car directly in front of the arch and gaze at it, though walking up to, and through it, is the best way to gain appreciation of this icon.

Of course, after you check out Double Arch, you can explore North Window, South Window, Turret Arch, Cove of Caves, Cave Arch, the Garden of Eden, Parade of Elephants, and even Balanced Rock, as they're all right here in a tightly knit group.

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Comments

Submitted by Ilex_Opaca on February 11, 2010 - 10:31am.

I'm also threatening to go this spring. Since I now live only 2 hours from Arches there's no more reason not to. I'm really hoping to do the Fiery Furnace tour. Can anyone tell me what would be the best time of year? I'm hoping to go in May, but I don't want the weather to be cold. After moving from Death Valley I'm a big whimp when it comes to the cold.

Ranger Holly

Submitted by y_p_w on February 11, 2010 - 1:01pm.

Here are the averages:

http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/UTNPARCH:13

May is going to be warm, but with cooler nights. We did the hike to Delicate Arch in mid-June when we got into Moab. Highs were in the mid-80s and lows were in low 60s. We were able to catch the sunset at Delicate Arch, with enough light to find our way back. It was also a bit cooler just before sunset, although it was still easily shorts weather. Depending on what part of May, I think you might want to at least carry some light pants and a jacket.

I've got to say - making the trek to Delicate Arch is one of those experiences in life where your just think to yourself that something like that just can't really exist in nature. It is absolutely amazing, and pictures just don't do it justice.

I found it pretty tolerable. It was certainly warm during the day, but not so hot that we didn't do the Devil's Garden hike in the late morning. It certainly wasn't like Death Valley later in our trip, where I noticed the Furnace Creek visitor center's thermometer indicated 123 deg F in the shade. I remember a thermometer at our hotel in Springdale that indicated 100 deg F. The Moab area is a relative piece of cake.

Submitted by tomp on February 11, 2010 - 1:08pm.

I'd worry more about heat in May than cold. In April you might want to do the afternoon trip, in May I would recommend the morning trip. If you go in early May, try to get to either delicate arch for sunset (standard), or be on the trail back from landscape arch just before sunset (there's an arch hidden from the trail that puts a cool spot of sunlight on the rock wall east of the trail at sunset that time of year).

Submitted by admin on February 11, 2010 - 1:26pm.

We are going to Arches this spring ( end of April) for our 3rd time. The Fiery Furnace tour is great. Our other two trips have been in the summer and we are looking forward to some cooler temperatures.

Submitted by admin on February 11, 2010 - 1:44pm.

Been to the Fiery Furnace in late May and it was spectacular. Don't worry about cold temperatures, just take a light jacket with you. And carry water, you might need it.

Submitted by Ranger Will on February 11, 2010 - 4:35pm.

I'm headed out to Arches again the last week of March. Went last August and it was hot! Rental car thermometer reached about 105 everyday I think but I tolerate the heat really well by hydrating a ton. At all cost do the Fiery Furnace tour, it was really cool. Get to Delicate Arch for sunset and hike the Devils Garden primitive trail loop if you have the time. Hiking the primitive loop was my favorite hike in the park. If I lived only 2 hours from there I would be there every free day I had!

Submitted by admin on June 3, 2010 - 5:48pm.

I've always visited Arches in May and it has always been in the 100's. It was really hot! Wish I had been like the camper who was there in June and it was in the 80's I guess it just depends on the weather pattern that year. I agree with Ranger Will. If I lived only 2 hours a day I would definitely be visiting it whenever I could!

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