Exploring New Places Podcast
Exploring New Places Podcast
Arches National Park
This week’s new destination of Exploring New Places Podcast goes over Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. We talk about different trails that can be hiked with family and friends. We will explain some things that you need to know about Delicate Arch Trail, Sand Dunes, and Broke Arch Trail.
We also mention Wolfe Ranch found at the Delicate Arch Trail. We talk about this national park’s history, fun facts, geological facts, hotel recommendations, parking prices and more.
Join us today and learn more about where to travel next to create new memories!
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GBS: Welcome back everybody! Today we will be talking about Arches National Park located in Moab, Utah.
GBS: This week’s destination is very beautiful and iconic when it comes to national parks in the United States. This is truly a one-of-a-kind national park because of the geological facts about the rocks and how this park was naturally formed.
GBS: I will say though that some of the things that were mentioned on the last episode apply here, too. For example, the tickets fees per vehicle apply here as well as what kind of clothing you need to wear for the hikes. But don’t worry, I will mention it again on this episode very briefly for your convenience.
GBS: But, if you want to know what exactly to pack before going to these national parks. Then, I recommend you listen to our episode called Zion National Park Visit where I talk more in depth about all of this.
GBS: Anyway, I’m so excited about this episode because I still cannot believe I did one of the most iconic hikes in the U.S. I will talk more about this in a bit to tell you the name of the hike I did.
GBS: As always, let me start by telling you a little bit about the history of this park and how it became a national park. According to the National Park Service website, 700 years ago, Native Americans used to reside in this area of what is now known as Arches National Park. They used to farm in the area food like squash, and beans. When you visit this park, you can still find petroglyphs from the Native Americans who lived here. In 1898, there were a few settlers who moved from Ohio to live here for a few years. The name of the man who moved here with his son was John Wesley Wolfe. In the park, you can find one cabin who used to be the home of this man and some of this family members who decided to move in with him a few years after he arrived here.
GBS: This cabin is known as Wolfe’s Cabin, it’s easy to spot once you’re on the hike and when you see it up close, you’ll be amazed by the fact that six people used to live in that cabin. It’s a one room cabin and a very humble home that most people see before completing the trail in which you can find it.
GBS: On April 12,1929, President Herbert Hoovert signed a presidential proclamation which established Arches National Monument. But it was not until November 12 of 1971, under President Nixon, that this park changed from a national monument to a national park.
GBS: If you’re wondering how this park formed, let me tell you that you can learn more at the visitor center, you can find geological information about how this park is believed to have formed.
GBS: What I learned was that here, at Arches National Park, sand stones were created by sea filling up and drying up this place 29 times, 15 million years ago. The water left residues of 5,000 feet of sand after drying up. These, with time, formed rocks. And, erosion made the rocks look how they look now.
GBS: Not all origins of these rocks can be explained but geologists have concluded that acidic rain, carbon dioxide and the water of the ocean helped form these rocks of Arches National Park.
GBS: There are more than 2,000 arches in this park.
GBS: Arches National Park is very unique because these arches may fall apart at some time. Therefore, the very fact that you can go see for yourself these arches before they fall apart is special. There have been a few arches that no longer exist due to the rocks falling. When you go to this national park, take time to go to the Visitor Center and see a small movie at their movie theater where you can learn more about the park, arches, the natural process that took to create what the park is now, and how this ecosystem works. This movie that I’m recommending to you is 100% free; you do not pay anything to see it and you become informed. It’s so cool to learn about this park, the biodiversity, and geological facts that this park has!
GBS: Now, when you go to this park, its great decision to stay at Downtown Moab. There are many hotels for you to choose where to stay. Restaurants, shops and rental shops are in walking distance so you can walk around and explore new places. You won’t be the only one because a lot of people walk to the restaurants and ice cream shops. The views of this place are so beautiful and very red.
GBS: My recommendation for a hotel is called, The Adventure Inn in Moab. The rooms are comfortable, you have your assigned parking in front of your room, there’s wi-fi, free breakfast, complementary coffee, tea and hot chocolate all day long; there’s a barbecue area for you to grill your food if you would like, a coin operated laundry for guests, free ice; and most importantly, the staff are super kind and happy to help you with what you need.
GBS: This Inn is within walking distance to the shops that I mentioned and it’s so cozy at night. They have an outside sitting area with hanging lights which makes it feel very relaxing and just really cozy. I had a great experience here and I would 100% recommend staying here.
GBS: Like I mentioned on our last episode, when planning your trip and packing, make sure you check the weather to see what clothing is appropriate for you to be comfortable, bring a first aid kit (just in case anything happens like blisters or minor cuts), bring sunscreen, snacks, water, hiking shoes, and check the NPS app for any updates that are relevant to your visit.
GBS: Entrance tickets can be paid online prior to your visit. It’s $30 per vehicle and it includes all people within the vehicle; or $15 per person if you don’t go in your vehicle. What I didn’t know was that the ticket is good to use for 7 days. Meaning that you can come in and out and come back the next day, and they won’t charge you extra for it. It’s great!
GBS: Oh yes, if you don’t pay prior to going and instead you pay on the day of your visit, a ranger will give you a map of the park to decide where you want to go. A difference from Zion National Park, Arches National Park does not have shuttles that take you from a to b. So, you will need your car to visit and explore the park. Do keep in mind that there are some parts of the park where you will not have access to your phone service, so it’s wise for you to keep the map that they give you.
GBS: Another difference is that this park does not have restaurants inside it, which is great. But I’m just letting you know in case you were wondering that.
GBS: Before I forget, I’ll tell you that you are not allowed to bring pets, bicycles or motorcycles on the trails.
GBS: Now, when it comes to hikes, I did three hikes in a day while I visited. I went to the iconic Delicate Arch Trail, and the Sand Dune & Broken Arch Trail. My favorite trails were all three, hahaha. Each one of them was so unique that I cannot decide which one is my favorite one. However, the most challenging for me was the Delicate Arch Trail because of its elevation.
GBS: The Delicate Arch Trail is only 1.5 miles long each way, going up and down the hike. So, not very challenging you would think. But, the elevation is 480 feet and it’s all uphill going up and downhill going down. Hahahaha! Omg! That was so badly explained but well explained at the same time because there are some parts that are very steep or narrow and you have to watch out for that. Although I have to say that the views are incredible! It is a must when visiting this park.
GBS: I went during the springtime, so it wasn’t too hot to go up and down. And, they do advise that if it’s too hot do not attempt to hike this trail because people have passed out due to lack of water. There’s no shade whatsoever when hiking this trail, so be prepared. I went in March and the weather was perfect for hiking. You would only get hot because of the walking that you’re doing, not because the sun is too strong.
GBS: This trail is so worth it at the end when you reach the arch that you can see basically in every vehicle plate in Utah. What I did not expect was that you need to go a little extra for you to be under the arch, if that makes sense. What I mean is that, when you get to the top you have to be a little adventurous to go walk on top of the rocks to go where the arch actually is. I did not do it because I got vertigo on this hike, so safety first.
GBS: I did enjoy it, though! Very unique and special and different from any other hike. It is an exercise going uphill and downhill. It’s a good leg workout.
GBS: My other favorite trail was the Sand Dunes because the sand is so soft unlike the beach. The sand was very red, too. This is a very small walk with only 0.5 miles, but so worth it to do it and see the big red rocks from up close.
GBS: I liked each hike because they were so different from each other that I cannot compare them.
GBS: There’s one that I did not have time to do which was the Balanced Rock Trail, but that’s good because that gives me an excuse to go back and do it.
GBS: Now, it’s time for our three fun facts about Arches National Park.
GBS: #1- There are 483 species of plants in this park.
GBS: #2- There are 186 species of birds in this park.
GBS: #3- This park consists of 76,519 acres.
GBS: As always, thank you so much for tuning in today and taking a little bit of your valuable time to listen to Exploring New Places Podcast. Don’t forget to share this podcast and episode with your family and friends. It helps us grow to become a bigger travelling community.
GBS: Follow us on our social media, our Instagram is @exploringnewplaces_podcast and our Facebook @exploringnewplacespodcast.
GBS: Remember that new episodes become available every other Friday at 7 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Do check our social media channels as I will be uploading some of the videos and photos I took while visiting Arches National Park.
GBS: Now, we conclude. Until next time!
