
With
countless one-of-a-kind arches, sandstone formations,
and
awe-inspiring panoramic vistas all within minutes of downtown Moab, Utah,
hiking and sightseeing are undoubtedly popular activities. Two of the
most common areas for hiking and exploring are
Arches
National Park and
Canyonlands
National Park. Both parks have several well-maintained trails with
restrooms located at the trail head. There are also several great hikes
in the La Sal Mountains and outside of the National Parks.
With over 2,000 named sandstone arches and nearly 74,000 acres of astounding
scenery, Arches National Park should not be missed in your visit to Moab.
Hiking trails abound throughout
the park and most are accessible with parking lots and restrooms just
off the main road.
Guided tours are
also an excellent way to see Arches National Park as you will not only
be sure to see the most unique and stunning areas of the park, but you
will also learn wonderful details about the formation and geology of the
one-of-a-kind rock formations found in this part of the world.
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Arches National Park
Utah's largest park, Canyonlands National Park provides ample
hiking
opportunities. From sheer cliffs in the Island in the Sky district
to Elephant Hill, hikers may enjoy the beautiful sandstone landscape of
Utah throughout the park's hiking trails. Canyonlands is divided into
3 "districts": The Island in the Sky District, Needles District,
and Maze District. But a word of warning - the three districts are large
within themselves and do not have connecting roads. Hiking trails in all
three districts within a short amount of time is impossible. Longer hikes
and backpacking are common in both the Island in the sky and Needles districts.
Because of the enormity of Canyonlands, we highly recommend seeing the
park by
scenic flight. This allows you to
see all 3 districts in just 1 hour. Another wonderful way to experience
the park on a more intimate level is on a
rafting
trip through Cataract Canyon. This section of the Colorado River travels
right through Canyonlands, gives you a very unique perspective only accessible
from the river, and offers several wonderful hiking experiences.
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about Canyonlands National Park