Discover the Magic of Arches National Park – Get Ready to Rock!
READY FOR TAKE-OFF
Join us at the beginning of our journey across the US. The Ford Expedition is packed and we’re off to a great start! Our first destination is Glenwood Springs in Colorado with a stop along the way, in Moab and Arches National Park in Utah.
Towering sandstone formations and incredible desert landscapes at Arches National Park
Leaving California
Months of preparation, planning, and packing were finally over. The night before we left California, we watched the sunset above Dana Harbor and the sense of regret in the air was tangible. About 9 years earlier we had moved back to Denmark only to return to California a year and a half later. What had felt like the ultimate goodbye at the time was just a parenthesis in our lives. I think we somehow knew deep down inside, that this time it was the end of our California adventure.
When we drove through Ladera Ranch one last time, the town that had been our home for 14 years, the regret was replaced with excitement. There was a certain sense of freedom in the air. I always feel this way when going on a road trip, no matter how long the trip is.
We stopped at a random motel somewhere between California and Colorado. One of those places you pass on the freeway and wonder, “Why would anyone stay there?”. Well, we just needed a bed for about 6 hours at a place where we could bring a dog. It didn’t have to be fancy. Besides it was at the very beginning of our trip, and we wanted to stay within a certain budget.
Second stop Moab
The drive from California to Colorado is about 13 hours (876 miles) and goes through Utah. A state that has some of the most breathtaking national parks in the United States. When the kids were younger, we visited two parks in Utah, Bryce Canyon, and Zion. We had never been to the two iconic parks nestled around Moab in the southeastern part of Utah. Canyonlands National Park, with rugged canyons, mesas, and buttes carved by the Colorado River, and Arches National Park, with stunning natural arches, towering formations, and incredible desert landscapes.
Beautiful red sandstone arches along Arches Scenic Drive
An unenthusiastic Dog
Since we had to be in Colorado by Monday we chose to visit Arches. However, it turned out that we had to lower your expectations slightly since we were traveling with our 10-year-old Golden Retriever Lucca. He wasn’t enthusiastic about the road trip at all. He pretty much stopped eating and seemed to be upset with us. We found ourselves asking questions like “Did he eat?”, “Did he poop?”, “Did he like his treat?”, just like when we had toddlers.
We couldn’t leave him unattended at the hotel and didn’t feel comfortable taking him on a long hike at 105 degrees. Also, dogs are not allowed in the backcountry or on any trails in the national parks around Moab. I’m sure I read about it while researching for the trip, but I probably just ignored it and thought we would find a way to make it work. And we did! There are acres of dog-friendly trails around Moab, that all have plenty of beautiful red rock formations that Utah is known for. Here is a great resource for dog-friendly trails around Moab.
Desert Oasis Hike
It was a hot day, so we hiked the Mill Creek Waterfall Trail, a fairly short and easy hike. It goes through a desert canyon oasis along a creek that leads to a small waterfall. Lucca loved splashing around the water along the way and cooled down in the small plunge pool at the waterfall.
Mill Creek Waterfall Trail in Moab
Ready to Rock
With Lucca happy and tired from the hike, we drove the Arches Scenic Drive, an 18-mile paved road winding through the park. We stopped at most of the viewpoints along the scenic drive. From these outlooks, we got a breathtaking view of the mesmerizing and unique landscape of beautiful red sandstone arches varying in size, shape, and formation.
It was easy to see why Arches is such a popular travel destination. More than 2000 natural sandstone arches, make it the largest concentration of arches in the world. An amazing variety of geological formations, including spires, pinnacles, balanced rocks, and fins. The Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, and Windows Section are some of the most famous landmarks in the park. Whether you are a hiker, photographer, rock climber, star-gazer, or nature enthusiast, Arches offers so many opportunities. The hiking trails range from easy walks to more strenuous treks. Maps, permits, and guidance can be obtained at the visitor center.
More amazing sandstone formations at Arches National Park
Off to a good start
We would have loved to spend more time at Arches but even with our short time, it was an unforgettable experience. Only a three-hour drive from Moab we were at our first destination, Glenwood Springs in Colorado.