Arches National Park Moab
Arches National Park is located in east central Utah, north of the town of Moab. Arches National Park consists of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. To be catalogued as an arch, the opening must be at least three feet in any direction. These unusual rock formations offer an interesting and unusual landscape of color, texture, and natural wonder. Centuries upon centuries of erosion and deposition have revealed the extraordinary features of the rocks. In 1929, President Herbert Hoover signed legislation creating Arches National Monument, to protect the arches, spires, balanced rocks, and other sandstone formations of this region. In 1971, it became Arches National Park.
Human history at Arches National Park began about 2,000 years ago. The nomadic hunters and gatherers, known as the ancestral Puebloan and Fremont people, settled into the Four Corners region and began cultivating maize, beans, and squash. While no dwellings, such as those that exist at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, have been found at Arches, the ancestral Puebloans left lithic scatters. The Fremont lived in the same general area and left rock inscriptions, pottery, and other artifacts. Both groups of people left the area about 700 years ago. The only other evidence of human settlement at Arches National Park is the weathered log cabin, root cellar, and corral left by John Wesley Wolfe, a disabled Civil War veteran, who built his homestead and lived there for more than 10 years following the war.
In addition to the artifacts and historical evidence of the early settlers to the area, Arches National Park features an incredible collection of natural beauty from the eroded and windswept arches to the living soil. Arches National Park is home to a living crust called "Biological Soil Crust". Covering most of the park and the surrounding area, this soil is comprised of algae, lichens, and bacteria, all which combine to provide secure foundation for desert plants. When you are asked to stay on the roads and trail, now you will know why – it isn’t just dirt.
Many of the arches are named for the formation they most represent. Visitors can drive through the park and view the arches from their cars, or they may stop at each parking area and walk up close to the arch or even within and through. The Delicate Arch is probably the world’s most well known arch. Whether you step underneath Balanced Rock, or visit the North and South Windows, Turret Arch, or Double Arch, there is plenty to see and view at Arches National Park. Hiking trails are available between many of the arches.
Arches National Park is open daily year round. The visitor center is closed on Christmas.
Bryce National Park
Utah’s size and fascinating geological landscape makes it home to five national parks and several national monuments and sites. Bryce National Park is one of the national parks – set apart for its unique geology that consists of a dozen horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. Located in southwest Utah, Bryce Canyon was named a national park in 1924. Bryce Canyon National Park is a smaller park compared to its Utah neighbors Zion National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Canyonlands National Park, as well as the Grand Canyon over the border in Arizona. Despite its size, the interesting landscape draws in over 1.5 million people each year. Bryce Canyon National Park was named for one of the early pioneers of the area, Ebenezer Bryce.
Frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have eroded and shaped the colorful limestone rock at Bryce Canyon National Park. The result is interesting and somewhat bizarre shapes, including slot canyons, windows, fins, and the spires called "hoodoos". Colored with seemingly every color of the spectrum, these whimsically arranged rocks offers a landscape of mazes. On the high plateau above are ponderosa pines, high meadows, and fir-spruce forests. Wildlife is plentiful in the area - mule deer, pronghorn, and gray fox, are common, while the black bear, elk, and mountain lion are rarely seen. Bryce Canyon National Park and the pristine air surrounding it, allows for panoramic views of three states, with up to 200 miles of visibility. The clear air, and the absence of large light sources nearby, makes the night sky come alive and is a popular spot for star gazing.
Bryce Canyon National Park’s elevation ranges from 7,000 to 9,100 ft above sea level for three distinct climate zones - the spruce/fir forest, the Ponderosa Pine forest, and the Pinyon Pine/juniper forest. Winters are long and average nearly 100 inches of snow. The summers are quite mild and are well-suited for hiking, camping, horseback riding, and picnicking.
At Bryce Canyon National Park, there are 13 viewpoints along the 38-mile round-trip scenic drive. Most of the viewpoints face east and offer spectacular sunrise views of the canyons bathed in morning light. Sunrise Point and Bryce Point are the two most popular places to view the sunrise. The equally spectacular sunset views begin about an hour and a half before the actual sunset. Inspiration Point and Paria View are the two best sunset-watching viewpoints.
Bryce Canyon National Park is open daily year round. The Visitor Center is open daily and is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Visitor Center shows short informational videos and offers Geology talks during bad weather. The museum offers displays on local geology, wildlife, star gazing, and the historic culture of Bryce Canyon National Park.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park was named as Utah's First National Park when it was established in 1909 as Mukuntuweap National Monument. It was renamed Zion National Park in 1919. Located in Washington, Iron, and Kane counties of southwest Utah, the 229-sq. mile park features high plateaus, narrow and deep canyons walls, and towering cliffs in a myriad of color, from creams to pinks to reds. Evidence of Ancestral Puebloans (the Anasazi) were at this location dates back 2,000 years and Paiutes from 800 years ago to present. Zion National Park attracts over 2.6 million visitors each year. Zion's geographic location, on the Colorado Plateau, bordering the Great Basin and Mojave Desert Provinces, creates a unique environment that is home to a wide variety of plant life.
The purpose of Zion National Park is to preserve the natural process of canyon formation. This extraordinary example of erosion, combined with the arid climate and sparse vegetation allow for the exposure of large expanses of rock. This bare rock reveals much about the geological history of the area. Much of this can be seen while touring the park and observing first-hand, the beauty of the canyon walls. One of the most impressive, yet strenuous (and wet) experiences is touring the Zion Narrows – the gorge carved out by the Virgin River. The gorge is 16 miles long, and reaches depth up to 2000 ft. The term “narrows” is appropriate when you encounter the widths of only 20-30 ft wide. The soaring sandstone wall, natural grottos and springs, and the hanging gardens above create a lasting impression not easily forgotten.
The highest elevation in the park is 8,726 ft at Horse Ranch Mountain; the lowest is 3,666 ft at Coalpits Wash in the southwest corner. The variations in elevation, sunlight, and water supply contribute to the wide variety of plant and animal life at Zion National Park. There are 900 plus native species of plants, 75 species of animals, 291 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles and amphibians, and eight types of native fish. Zion National Park is home to many endangered species including the Peregrine Falcon, Mexican Spotted Owl, Southwest Willow Flycatcher, Desert Tortoise, and the Zion Snail.
The Zion Canyon Shuttle program offers thirty buses to transport riders through the park. Hiking through the narrow canyons is one of the best ways to fully experience the park. Other popular activities include photography, bicycling, birdwatching, and participating in Ranger-led activities.
Zion National Park is open daily year round. The Zion Canyon Visitor Center, the Zion Human History Museum, and the Kolob Canyon Visitor Center are open daily and are closed on Christmas. Hours at each center vary by season.