ARCHES ABOVE, CANYONS BELOW:
ARCHES AND CANYONLANDS
Arches National Park
Visit Arches National Park and take advantage of the 2026 policy that eliminates advanced timed entry reservations, making slow travel and day to day flexibility far easier.
Arches National Park protects the world’s largest concentration of natural stone arches, with more than 2,000 documented arches formed as erosion slowly sculpted the Entrada sandstone over millions of years.
Begin with the Windows Section, where short walks of less than one mile lead to several of the park’s most impressive formations including North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. Then commit to Delicate Arch, the park’s most famous hike. This 3 mile round trip trail climbs gradually across open slickrock before reaching the graceful freestanding arch that has become one of the most recognizable natural landmarks in the American Southwest.
Another memorable dining experience in Moab is Desert Bistro, a long established restaurant known for refined Southwestern cuisine and locally inspired dishes that has been a favorite of park visitors and river guides for more than thirty years.
More Adventures in Arches
Use your second day in Arches to explore the Devils Garden area, home to some of the park’s most impressive arches and longer hiking routes.
The Devils Garden Trail begins with Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world. For a more adventurous experience, continue along the Devils Garden Primitive Loop, a roughly 7.5 mile route that crosses slickrock fins and narrow ridges while passing several arches including Double O Arch and Partition Arch.
Another excellent hike which is near Moab is Corona Arch, a 3 mile round trip trail along the Colorado River corridor that leads to one of the largest and most impressive freestanding arches in the region.
CANYONLANDS
Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point
Spend the day in Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky district, beginning with Mesa Arch at first light. This short 0.7 mile round trip trail leads to one of the most photographed viewpoints in the Southwest, where sunrise light illuminates the arch framing the canyon landscape beyond.
Continue to Grand View Point for sweeping vistas across the Colorado Plateau before tackling a more challenging hike such as the Syncline Loop. This strenuous 9 mile route descends along rugged terrain beneath Upheaval Dome and offers a remote backcountry experience within the park.
Finish the day at Dead Horse Point State Park for sunset, where the Colorado River bends dramatically far below the mesa.
Dead Horse Point State Park is named for a dramatic story from the late nineteenth century when cowboys reportedly used the narrow mesa as a natural corral for wild horses, leaving some trapped on the point when water ran out in the desert heat.
Optional Backcountry Four Wheel Experience
Travelers with a high clearance four wheel drive vehicle may consider exploring portions of the White Rim Road, one of the most iconic off road routes in the Southwest. This backcountry route descends from Island in the Sky and circles beneath towering cliffs along the Colorado and Green Rivers.
With proper planning, permits, and favorable conditions, even a short out and back section of the White Rim Road provides a memorable off road experience through some of the most dramatic canyon terrain on the Colorado Plateau.
Return to Moab afterward and enjoy another evening in town before continuing the journey.
Leave No Trace
Please respect the natural environment by following Leave No Trace principles.
