Travel Through Another World-The Red Rocks of Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
Places: 17 POIsDistance: 33.44 miDuration: 1h:57m
Tour #2358
About this English self-guided 1h:57m driving tour in Utah, United States
Welcome to Arches National Park, where nature’s imagination has run wild in the heart of the Utah desert! This red-rock wonderland is like stepping into another world, filled with over 2,000 natural stone arches, towering spires, massive balanced rocks, and winding canyons. It’s a place where the landscape tells a story—one of millions of years of wind, water, and time sculpting rock into incredible shapes that will leave you in awe.
Whether you’re chasing sunsets at the iconic Delicate Arch, hiking to the impossibly thin Landscape Arch, or marveling at the intertwined beauty of Double Arch, every corner of the park is bursting with photo ops and unforgettable memories. Families, solo adventurers, and road-trippers alike will find something special here.
So lace up your hiking boots, pack some snacks, and grab your camera—you’re in for an adventure that’s as epic as it is fun. Welcome to Arches National Park, where the desert becomes a playground for explorers and dreamers alike!
As we drive towards the entrance of Arches National Park, I feel as though it’s important to talk a little bit about the town of Moab in which the park is located! Moab is one of my favorite places in the country, from its beautiful terrain, friendly residents, and the abundance of activities, it really has it all.
Moab, Utah, is a small desert town with a big reputation as one of the best adventure hubs in the American Southwest. Tucked between dramatic red rock cliffs and the winding Colorado River, Moab is the gateway to iconic national parks like Arches of course, as well as Canyonlands. Plus a vast playground of state parks, trails, and public land, the options are endless. The town is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class hiking, mountain biking, off-roading, rock climbing, and river rafting. Its striking landscapes—marked by towering sandstone arches, rugged mesas, and sweeping desert vistas—make every outing a postcard-worthy experience.
Downtown Moab brings a lively yet laid-back vibe, with an array of unique shops, art galleries, and local eateries to enjoy after a day of adventure. Whether you're grabbing a hearty breakfast before hitting the trails or sipping on a craft beer while watching the sunset light up the red cliffs, the town provides a welcoming atmosphere for travelers. The area's rich cultural history, including ancient petroglyphs and artifacts, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the natural beauty.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Moab, offering pleasant weather for hiking, biking, or exploring scenic drives like the La Sal Mountain Loop or the Potash-Lower Colorado River Byway. However, Moab’s allure extends year-round with activities suited to every season. Whether you're looking for adrenaline-pumping adventures or serene stargazing under some of the darkest skies in the country, Moab delivers an unforgettable desert experience.
Arches National Park is not just a breathtaking landscape of sandstone arches, towering spires, and rugged canyons—it’s a place with a rich geological, cultural, and human history that spans millions of years. From ancient sea beds to Native American tribes and early explorers, the story of Arches is as fascinating as its scenery.
Long before humans set foot here, the land that is now Arches National Park underwent dramatic changes. 300 million years ago, this area was covered by an ancient sea, leaving behind thick layers of salt. Over millions of years, sandstone layers were deposited, compressed, and then eroded by wind, water, and ice. The unique rock fins and arches formed as erosion wore away the weaker rock, leaving behind the stunning formations we see today. Even today, the park is constantly changing—arches collapse, new openings form, and the landscape continues to evolve.
The first known humans to inhabit the area were the Paleo-Indians, arriving over 10,000 years ago. Later, the Ancestral Puebloans and Fremont people lived here, leaving behind rock art and artifacts that can still be seen in and around the park today. By the 1500s, the Ute and Paiute tribes were the dominant Native groups in the region. The Utes named the area "Tava", meaning "land of rock." Their petroglyphs (rock carvings) can still be seen at Courthouse Wash and other sites within the park.
The first Europeans to explore this region were Spanish missionaries, including members of the Domínguez-Escalante Expedition in 1776. Later, trappers, traders, and settlers passed through the area, but it remained largely unexplored from the European standpoint. By the 1800s, ranchers, gold prospectors, and Mormon settlers arrived, drawn by the land’s beauty and resources.
The beauty of Arches remained largely unknown to the outside world until the early 20th century, when a railroad prospector named Alexander Ringhoffer began promoting the region’s incredible rock formations. In 1923, Ringhoffer invited officials from the National Park Service (NPS) to visit, and in 1929, President Herbert Hoover declared the area a National Monument to protect its unique geological features. In 1971, President Richard Nixon officially designated it Arches National Park, expanding protection and boosting its popularity.
Today, Arches National Park spans 76,679 acres and protects over 2,000 natural stone arches, as well as hundreds of pinnacles, rock spires, and other incredible formations. It attracts over 1.5 million visitors each year, making it one of the most famous parks in the U.S.
However, with its popularity comes challenges—such as overcrowding, conservation efforts, and climate change impacts. The National Park Service continues to work to preserve the delicate arches while balancing tourism and environmental protection.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Moab
Place 2History of Arches National Park
Place 3Arches National Park Visitor Center
Place 4Moab Fault Overlook
Place 5Park Avenue
Place 6Three Gossips & Courthouse Towers
Place 7Tower of Babel & Sheep Rock
Place 8Petrified Dunes
Place 9The Great Wall
Place 10The Phallus Pillar
Place 11Balanced Rock
Place 12The Windows Section
Place 13Panorama Point
Place 14Delicate Arch
Place 15Fiery Furnace
Place 16Skyline Arch
Place 17Devils Garden
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A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
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