The Picturesque 36-Mile Scenic Route Through the Park 
My Daughter and I with Iconic Balanced With Rock in Background 
My Daughter with the Most Recognizable Arch in the Park – Delicate Arch – in Background 
My Daughter and I Hiking on the Trail to the Lookout of the Delicate Arch
Priceless Natural Wonder
Our day trip to the Arches National Park in Moab, UT in December 2019 was short and unplanned. Nonetheless, we are thankful we took the opportunity to visit. It was well-worth the time, energy and cost of admission. We had a wonderful experience and were able to get a number of beautiful photographs memorializing our visit.
At the time we decided to visit the park, we were on a ski vacation in Telluride, Colorado. Mid-way through our vacation, my family and I decided to take a break to visit the park. It’s a 140-mile drive from Telluride. When we inquired about a day trip with our hotel concierge, they immediately suggested the Arches National Park. Unfamiliar with the park, the concierge pulled up the park’s web site and after looking at the pictures, we were soon on our way. Fortunately, the confluence of weather conditions aligned perfectly making our 1-day excursion possible. The weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, there was no precipitation in the forecast, and the roads were clear.
The drive took us through the Uncompahgre Plateau in western Colorado. The name is a Ute Indian word meaning “rocks that make the water red.” The plateau has an average elevation of 9,500 feet. The scenery along the way is incredible as you go from the red rock of the plateau, its large canyons and flat mesas, to the arid land around Arches National Park. Interestingly, a long stretch of the road traverses open-cattle ranges. Along the way we saw several cattle carcasses on the side of the road that had been hit and killed by vehicular traffic. So, it’s imperative you drive carefully, should you ever decide to make this drive. Also, obey the speed limit signs. We can attest that police with radar are active along the route. My husband was pulled over for speeding, and when the police offer saw he was wearing a Marine Corps ball cap, the police officer fortunately issued him a verbal warning only.
Arches National Park is a priceless natural wonder. The views are picturesque, and the rock formations are surreal and breathtaking. It’s one of those experiences that bring you closer to that sense of the “bigger picture” of the natural wonders in the world. If anything, our experience demonstrates you can spend a couple hours (or more) driving the 36-mile scenic route through the park to gain an appreciation of the “red-rock wonderland” and its iconic rock formations. There are plenty of scenic stops along the way where you can park and get out to take photos.
Had we not visited the park when we did, I’m sure we would have regretted it. As a result, we are now motivated to visit other national parks in the future.
