Located in eastern Utah, Arches National Park is known for its unique rock formations, which have been shaped by millions of years of erosion. Covering over 76,000 acres, it is home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches too. Also popular for its incredible hiking opportunities as well as stargazing with its remote location giving you clear skies and little light pollution. As one of the popular national parks in Utah, some others offer unique landscapes and outdoor experiences! Here are some of the other parks you can explore that are near Arches National Park.
Canyonlands National Park
Distance from Arches: Roughly 30 miles (45 minutes by car)
Highlights:
Famous for the dramatic and rugged canyons carved by the Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park is a breathtaking park that is located in southeastern Utah, near Moab. Spanning over 337,000 acres, this national park is one of the least developed national parks, meaning visitors can experience an enormous amount of solitude and wilderness.
Must-See Spots:
- Island in the Sky – The most accessible part of the park, offering panoramic views from the high, flat-topped mesas.
- The Needles – Named for the colorful, needle-shaped rock formations rising from the desert floor, the Needles are a more remote part of the park, offering numerous hiking trails winding through the stunning rock formations.
- The Maze – As a part of a challenging district of Canyonlands, the Maze features labyrinthine canyons and rugged terrain, which is only accessible by high-clearance vehicles or experienced hikers.
- The Rivers – Because Canyonlands is located on the Colorado River and Green River, carving the park’s landscapes, the Rivers offer some of the most scenic and adventurous activities, such as rafting and kayaking.
Dead Horse Point State Park
Distance from Arches: Roughly 32 miles (45 minutes by car)
Highlights:
Another stunning park located in southeastern Utah, near Moab, Dead Horse Point State Park is renowned for its dramatic views of the Colorado River and the vast canyons. Unique for its geology, scenic vistas, accessible hiking trails, and a short distance from Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park, these make Dead Horse Point State Park a favorite stop for visitors in the Moab area.
Must-See Spots:
- Dead Horse Point Overlook – The most iconic feature of Dead Horse Point, offering breathtaking views of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below, the Dead Horse Point Overlook gives visitors a panoramic view of the canyons.
- Scenic Views (Panoramic Vistas) – Offering stunning and wide-reaching views of the nearby canyons, the Colorado River, and the La Sal Mountains.
- Hiking Trails (Dead Horse Point Trail) – This 1.5-mile long trail, which is easy-to-moderate, loops around the point and provides you with wonderful viewpoints of the surrounding canyons
- Camping (Dead Horse Point Campground) – Featuring a 21-site campground, this fantastic campground offers beautiful views while also being a great place to enjoy the quiet and non-crowded area.
- Dead Horse Point Visitor Center – Providing information about the park’s history, geology, wildlife, and cultural significance, as well as giving you the opportunity to explore the exhibits, the small gift shop, and many rangers to answer any questions you may have.
Capitol Reef National Park
Distance from Arches: Roughly 120 miles (2-2.5 hours by car)
Highlights:
Located in south-central Utah, Capitol Reef National Park is a “hidden gem” known for its dramatic landscapes, unique geological formations, and rich history. It encompasses over 242,000 acres with fun activities to do, such as hiking the trails of different skill levels, camping under the stars, stargazing under the night sky, and even taking a scenic drive on the dirt roads that lead you to remote parts of the park.
Must-See Spots:
- The Waterpocket Fold – A 100-mile-long monocline, making it the centerpiece of the park, that formed over millions of years, creating cliffs and ridgelines that catch the eye.
- Fruita Historic District – With Remnants of the old Mormon settlement, you can see the historic orchards to pick fruit off the trees during late summer to fall time.
- Petroglyphs – Numerous petroglyphs, created by the Native American tribes thousands of years ago, are scattered in several locations around the park.
- Scenic Drives and Hiking – The scenic drives, like the Capitol Reef Scenic Drive, and the hiking trails, such as Hickman Bridge, offer fantastic views of the park’s landscapes from a different viewpoint.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Distance from Arches: Roughly 130 miles (2.5-3 hours by car)
Highlights:
One of the most stunning and geologically significant areas in southern Utah, the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument covers over 1.87 million acres. With vast canyons, cliffs, plateaus, and rock formations, making it the perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventurers.
Must-See Spots:
- The Grand Staircase – A sequence of geological layers stretching from Bryce Canyon all the way to the Grand Canyon.
- Escalante Canyons – Creating stunning vistas and hidden spots to explore, the Escalante River and its tributaries carve through the canyon systems.
- The Hole-in-the-Rock Road – This historic trail, used by Mormon settlers in the late 1800s to reach the Colorado River, is now a rough, scenic dirt road taking visitors through some of the most remote and gorgeous parts of the monument.
- The Paria River – Flowing through the monument, this river creates beautiful areas for hiking and camping.
Slot Canyons – This monument is known for its hidden slot canyons, which often are quite narrow, making a thrilling adventure for those who enjoy hiking.
Glen Canyon National Recreation Park
Distance from Arches: Roughly 150 miles (2.5-3 hours by car)
Highlights:
A beautiful region located in northern Arizona and southern Utah, Glen Canyon National Recreation Park, over 1.25 million acres, is renowned for the towering sandstone cliffs, deep canyons, and Lake Powell. Offering a range of outdoor activities, making it a popular spot for boaters, hikers, photographers, and anyone looking to explore the beauty of the American Southwest.
Must-See Spots:
- Lake Powell – Being the centerpiece of the park, Lake Powell is a massive reservoir located on the Colorado River, stretching over 180 miles with over 2,000 miles of shoreline.
- Glen Canyon Dam – The dam that helped create Lake Powell is an impressive engineering feature.
- Rainbow Bridge – One of the largest stone bridges in the world, this natural rock formation is a must-see spot and is accessible by boat and some hiking routes.
- Antelope Canyon – Located just outside of the recreation park, this slot canyon is famous for its otherworldly rock formations and light beams, which shine through the canyon at certain times of the day, making it a photographic-worthy location.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Distance from Arches: Roughly 250 miles (4.5-5 hours by car)
Highlights:
One of the most unique parks in the U.S., located in southern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park, while not actually a canyon, is a group of giant natural amphitheaters formed by the erosion of rock layers. Mainly famous for the incredible hoodoos.
Must-See Spots:
- Hoodoos – Tall, thin spires of rock that create surreal and otherworldly landscapes, these hoodoos are a result of frost-wedging erosion, creating landscapes that almost feel fake.
- Bryce Amphitheater – This main amphitheater is the famous part of Bryce Canyon, featuring iconic and dense concentrations of hoodoos.
- Cliff Layers and Rock Colors – Layered in vibrant hues of red, orange, and white, these rock formations create colorful and dramatic landscapes that are composed mainly of limestone and sandstone.
- Scenic Drives – Running through the park, the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive offers many spots to pull to the side to take in the incredible scenery.
From exploring the high-top mesas in Canyonlands National Park to enjoying the panoramic views of Dead Horse Point and even camping under the stars at Capitol Reef National Park, Utah has many places for you and your family to explore.
Are you in need of a place to sit back and relax after a long day of exploring the national parks in the area? Cougar Ridge has something that might be what you need! The Grand Lodge has 3 floors, each with a different accommodation to your stay. The Villas offer travelers with short-term stay options, such as our single suite, 2 bedroom villa, and our 3 bedroom villa too! We provide you with comfy king- and double-queen-sized beds and much more!
For questions or inquiries, contact Cougar Ridge through our Guest Services Number; 435-680-9170 or email; info@cougarridge.com.