Discover Arches National Park

Moab, Utah was a quick stop on our way across country, but we were certainly glad that we did. Arches National Park is a vast desert land of natural arches and red-hued structures. The Colorado River borders the park and is nice respite from the hot beaming sun from the park. The park is a playground for hiking, backcountry camping, stargazing, and jeeping.

The Logistics

• Traveled by rental car from St. Louis to Denver to Moab
• Traveled with my husband and parents
• Stayed at The Hampton Inn, Moab
• Stayed 2 nights, 1 day

The Itinerary
Day 1

• We arrived the evening before to Moab, ate dinner, and settled into our hotel.
• Park Avenue Rocks pitstop
• Balanced Rock pitstop
• Window Arches (1 mile hike)
• Delicate Arch (.5 mile hike) — the arch on the license plate.
• In the afternoon we did a kayak trip along the Colorado River (6 miles downstream). Surrounded by beautiful mountains and red rocks.
• In the evening drove to Fiery Furnace to see the sunset.

Recommendations/Suggestions

• Do an evening hike to Delicate Arch — the 3 mile hike that leads you directly in front of it.
• Spend an evening stargazing
• Looking for something a little more adventurous- try biking, rock climbing, or canyoneering
• Double Arch
• Try one night of camping in the park
• Visit nearby Capitol Reef and Canyonlands

​Lauren BarrettI was born in New Jersey, grew up in West Virginia, went to college in Pennsylvania, and now lives and works in North Carolina. She is a high school teacher of the Deaf and hard-of-hearing by day, a cross country coach by the afternoon, a writer by her son’s naptimes, and a full time mom to an amazing toddler. She loves her faith, running, visiting MLB stadiums with her husband, chocolate, scrapbooking, pretending she would actually do well on the Amazing Race, re-watching The Office, listening to Bobby Bones, and helping out all moms. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, James, and son, Henry.

Originally published at https://www.laurenbarrettwrites.com.