A Weekend at Arches National Park
Husband and I recently spent a long weekend in Moab, Utah for mostly free (check out that post here). So of course we had to spend some time at Arches National Park while we were there. And it was nothing short of amazing.
Y’all. We stopped at every single viewpoint in the park. We hiked just about every trail. Let me tell you. They’re all awesome. But, here’s what we would recommend you see, and the order in which you should do it, over two days.
Day One:
Delicate Arch - This is the one that is all over the Instagrams and travel guru’s fancy photos. And it was a great hike. It was enjoyably challenging with one part that could make those of us who are afraid of heights a little nervous, but nothing major. Do this one early, as it gets busy. The reason I wasn’t freaked out at the high part was because there weren’t a ton of other people on the trail since we went first thing in the morning. Then move on, because there’s lots more to see! Total hiking distance: 3.2 miles
Sand Dune, Tapestry, and Broken Arch - Drive up toward Devil’s Garden and hike this 1.4-mile trail (that can be extended to a 2.3-mile loop) to three arches. This is an easier hike, with more paving and clearly defined trails, so if you’re tired from the morning hike, you can take your time here.
Stop at all the viewpoints! By this time we were a little tired of walking, so we drove through the park and stopped to look at the views (and eat snacks…you MUST remember to bring snacks and water!).
Day Two:
Devil’s Garden Trails - If you’re looking for a long hike that can be challenging with rock scrambles and a less clearly marked trail, this is the one for you. You can turn it into an almost 8-mile loop by hiking to all the arches and along the primitive trail. We LOVED this one, but want to offer some cautions to you. It is long, and if it’s a hot day there isn’t any shade. It can be steep. There are places where you have to walk across rocks with steep drops and no barriers. There are places where it’s hard to know where the trail is. And you must must must bring lots of water and snacks with you.
The Windows - If you have any energy left after 8 miles of hiking in the desert, go see the Windows. These are a couple of short, easy hikes with well-defined trails and even some paved areas. Plus, if you don’t want to walk anymore, you can see some of the arches from the parking lot.
Things We Didn’t Do (but wish we had):
The Nature Trail at the Visitor’s Center - When we go back, I would really like to stop at the Visitor’s Center and learn some more about the park. There were really great informational signs throughout the park, but I’m a teacher nerd and want it all!!
Fiery Furnace - There is a hike in the park that requires a permit or a park ranger guide to do. It’s challenging and agility is required to climb on, around, and through a bunch of super neat rock formations. The next time we visit, I’m going to try to get us a park ranger guide because, again, I want all the information!
Camping in Devil’s Garden Campground - I am SO GLAD we had a hotel for this trip (read how we got the hotel for free here) because at the end of the long hiking days, I just wanted a shower, a pint of ice cream, and a comfy bed. But, I do love desert camping, and their campsites were pretty rad. So maybe next time I’ll suck it up and we can sleep in the van.
What we Read
Dude. I was so exhausted by the end of the day that reading didn’t really happen. I’m currently reading Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette, and it’s pretty good, but I maybe got through one chapter the whole weekend. In reality, I read trail guides and maps for two days straight.
Classroom Impact
My goodness. The number of things I could teach after a weekend in Arches National Park! Most immediately, though, I think I’m going to talk with my littles about the need to preserve and care for the land and the best ways to do that.
Science teachers could go crazy here with lessons and facts about fault lines, rock types and hardness, patterns of erosion, desert wildlife, conservation, and the environmental impact of humans. We could even use videos of desert or snow adventure sports to talk about physics.
In social studies, I want to talk about how national parks came to be and have students research different parks around the country. There were petroglyphs carved into the rocks in the park, and I’d love to have discussions about the history of Native Americans in this region and what we could learn from them about caring for the earth.
To incorporate math skills, students could plan a trip like this, factoring costs of things like food, a place to stay, transportation, and activities.
Overall, this trip is now at the top of our adventure exploration memories. Have you planned a unit about national parks? Tell me about it in the comments below! For non-teachers, what would you most like to climb at Arches National Park? I can’t wait to read your comments!
