Â鶹APP

Turret Arch, and trail with a trail sign — in Arches National Park, Utah. Photo by Jean-Christophe BENOIST –

Top 10 Remarquable facts about Arches National Park

Arches National Park is home to some of the most striking red rock formations in the world. Established as Arches National Monument in 1929 and later as a national park in 1971, Arches spans 119 square miles of South Eastern Utah just outside of Moab.

Over 1.5 million visitors on average come through the gates to see the 65-million-year-old sandstone arches, hoodoos, and canyons formed by the forces of water, wind, and temperature change.

What was once the home of numerous indigenous tribes, the land now known as Arches National Park offers numerous hiking trails, panoramic views, and archaeological sites to visit and explore. But be careful where you walk in this delicate landscape.

The high desert environment features plants and animals adapted to living in extreme conditions, as well as some organisms like biological crusts that are not only alive but are an essential part of the ecosystem of Arches.

Here are just a few of the amazing facts about this geologic and historical treasure of a park.

1. The Arches became a National Park in the early ’70s

Dark Angel; a sandstone pillar at Arches National Park. Photo by Bpluke01 –

President Herbert Hoover created the Arches National Monument in 1929 and then in 1971, Congress designated the area as the 35th National Park.

2. The most famous person to be associated with the Arches national Park is Edward Abbey

Photo of Landscape Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, USA. Photo by Jon Zander –

Author and environmentalist Edward Abbey might be one of the most famous people associated with the park. His passion for the area and his book, Desert Solitaire shined a light on Arches and the whole area around Moab.

3. Over 11 films have been recorded in the Arches National Park

Double Arch, a close-set pair of arches located in Arches National Park in Utah, USA. Photo by Luca Galuzzi –

You may recognize several areas of Arches National Park because of its appearance on the big screen. Arches have been included in over 11 films, including award-winning movies like Indiana Jones and Thelma and Louise.

4. The first people in the arches National Park were noticed there in 10,000 B.C

The Organ is an impressive sandstone fin located at Arches National Park, Utah, USA. Photo by Sanjay Acharya –

There is evidence of humans occupying the land of Arches National Park back to 10,000 B.C. More recently, Ute and Navajo Indigenous tribes inhabited this region.

Just because Arches is in a desert, doesn’t mean it’s a wasteland! Sure, the high desert area isn’t the most hospitable landscape out there, but it just means the animals that do live here are even more unique and specially adapted to the area.

5. There are close to 500 plant species in the Arches National Park

Arches National Park (Utha, USA). Im Park stehen ca. 100 durch Erosion entstandenen Sandsteinbögen und bizarre Felsformationen. Photo by W. Bulach –

The park is surprisingly diverse! There are 483 species of plants in the park. While conditions may not appear hospitable at first, the flora of Arches varies from grasses, cacti, and both evergreen and deciduous trees among others.

6. You will not miss seeing close to 200 species of birds in the arches park

Dark Angel, Arches National Park, Utah. Photo by Dan Nevill –

There have been nearly 200 species spotted at the park. Again, you might not think this would be a bird watchers’ paradise on first inspection, but many species migrate through this area. Seeing a Bald Eagle or Mexican Spotted Owl is not unheard of while exploring the park. 

7. The animals found in the Arches national park are majorly those that adapt to the desert kind of lifestyle

Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, in Utah. Photo by National Park Service –

Though the natural quiet of Arches often creates the impression of lifelessness, many animals live here. The most frequently sighted animals include birds, lizards,  and some small mammals, though seasons and weather play a large role in determining what animals are active.

Desert animals have a variety of adaptations for dealing with the temperature and moisture stresses present in Arches. Most desert animals are nocturnal, being most active at night. This can be an adaptation to both predation and hot summer daytime temperatures.

Mostly nocturnal animals include kangaroo rats, woodrats (also called packrats), and most other small desert rodents, skunks, ringtails, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, bats, and owls. There are 52 species of mammals in the park. There are 21 species of reptiles in the park.

8. And who said one could lack to spot an amphibian and rock colors in the Arches National Park

Picture of Balanced Rock at Arches National Park, Utah, USA. Photo by Sanjay Acharya –

There are surprisingly several species of frogs, toads, and salamanders within the park. Red sandstones in the park contain iron oxide. Greenish rocks also contain iron but in a reduced (non-oxidized) state.

 Depending on the conditions under which a rock was formed, iron can color rocks red, black, orange, purple, or greenish-grey.

9. Endangered species are always found in national parks and the arches cannot be an expectation

Arches National Park preserves over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, like the world-famous Delicate Arch, as well as many other unusual rock formations. In some areas, the forces of nature have exposed millions of years of geologic history. The extraordinary features of the park create a landscape of contrasting colors, landforms, and textures that is unlike any other in the world. Photo by National Park Service Digital Image Archives –

There are several endangered species in the park, including the Southwest Willow Flycatcher bird and a handful of fish like the Razorback Sucker or the Colorado Pikeminnow. Along with those species, there are around 20 other threatened plants and animals.
Still not had enough Arches National Park knowledge? Then you’re in luck because we aren’t quite done! Here are a few more fun facts for you to flash out the next time you’re hiking around the arches.  

10. Other great aspects are found in the Arches National Park

Looking North over Crossbedded Navajo Sandstone in Arches National Park Toward the Windows, Where Many of the Natural Arches Are Located. The Windows Is the Most Easily Accessible Part of the Area and Lends Itself Well to Geological Studies, 05/1972. Photo by Hiser, David –

The park Arches for nothing; this region has the highest concentration of stone arches anywhere in the world. What is more fascinating than the sheer number of arches is that the trails we use within the park system in Moab were once totally submerged in water.

Seawater subsided and left behind sand that the wind formed into dunes. Petrified dunes developed and through long-term wind and rain, they formed the landscape we see today.

Most of the wildlife within the park is nocturnal or crepuscular meaning they are most active at night or dusk and dawn. This is because Arches national park is a high desert climate, meaning extremely hot summers and very little precipitation. This also means if you want to see wildlife, you’ll want to be around for either dusk or dawn.