When Utah’s red-rock desert is mentioned, one of the most common images that pops into people’s heads has got to be Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. It is the single most iconic image in all of Utah. From commercials, to promotional tourist publications, to the Utah State license plate, Delicate Arch is everywhere. So it’s no wonder that Arches National Park sees some of the most tourist traffic in the state. There’s good reason for the droves of people who flock to Delicate Arch at sundown to take pictures, as it remains the most awe inspiring landscape in the west. And spring or fall is, like everywhere in Southern Utah, an ideal time of year to make the pilgrimage.
Located just up the highway from Moab, Arches National Park is easily accessed by car and most of the well known arches are a short walk away from the trailhead parking lots. As a result, Arches National Park isn’t exactly the best place to go looking for a day-long hiking adventure. But it is possible to get away from the crowds by searching out the more remote rock formations in the park such as Eye of the Whale Arch, Double O Arch and Private Arch.
You can also secret yourself away by exploring the Fiery Furnace. It is easy to get lost in its maze of narrow sandstone canyons, so it can only be visited with a permit after a safety video is watched at the visitor center. There’s even a secret entrance that the rangers don’t tell you about, making a day at the Fiery Furnace a bona-fide adventure.
There is something to see everywhere you look at Arches National Park, and not just the world-renowned sandstone windows either. There are a variety of red-rock formations along the roadside such as the Petrified Dunes, Courthouse Towers, and Elephant Butte, all contrasted against the snow capped La Sal Mountains on the horizon.
Anyone who lives in or visits Utah has to experience Arches National Park at least once. It is a rite of passage to stroll along the towering pillars and marvel at the soaring arches in Utah’s most famous protected area. And the mild spring weather makes it the best season to take the journey, especially if you’ve never been there before.
What months count as spring in Southern Utah?
I am thinking about paying a visit to Utah next year. I am from Scotland so I don’t like it too hot.
I would say March through May would be the best time in the spring to visit southern Utah. If you decide to visit, please let me know if you have any other questions!