LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

Arches National Park lies north of Moab in the state of Utah. Bordered by the Colorado River in the southeast, it’s known as the site of more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, such as the massive, red-hued Delicate Arch in the east. Long, thin Landscape Arch stands in Devils Garden to the north. Other geological formations include Balanced Rock, towering over the desert landscape in the middle of the park.

Located just 5 miles (8 km) north of Moab is Arches National Park, which contains the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Although over 2,000 arches are located within the park’s 76,518 acres, the park also contains an astounding variety of other geological formations. Colossal sandstone fins, massive balanced rocks, soaring pinnacles and spires dwarf visitors as they explore the park’s viewpoints and hiking trails. A paved scenic drive takes visitors to many of the major viewpoints within the park. The park’s rock formations delight children as well as adults, with many easy trails providing opportunities for kids to get out of the car and explore the arches up close. Hikers can choose from a wide variety of trails, from short twenty minute walks leading right up to many of the largest arches in the park, to more adventurous hikes into lesser seen areas.

Canyonlands National Park in southeastern Utah is known for its dramatic desert landscape carved by the Colorado River. Island in the Sky is a huge, flat-topped mesa with panoramic overlooks. Other notable areas include the towering rock pinnacles known as the Needles, the remote canyons of the Maze and the Native American rock paintings in Horseshoe Canyon. Whitewater rapids flow through Cataract Canyon.

Rafters and kayakers float the calm stretches of the Green River and Colorado River above the Confluence. Below the Confluence, Cataract Canyon contains powerful whitewater rapids, similar to those found in the Grand Canyon. However, since there is no large impoundment on the Colorado River above Canyonlands National Park, river flow through the Confluence is determined by snowmelt, not management. As a result, and in combination with Cataract Canyon’s unique graben geology, this stretch of river offers the largest whitewater in North America in heavy snow years.

Dead Horse Point State Park is a state park of Utah in the United States, featuring a dramatic overlook of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park. The park covers 5,362 acres (2,170 ha) of high desert at an altitude of 5,900 feet (1,800 m).

The park has several overlooks, a visitor center, a 21-site campground and a group campsite, one picnic area, and a 9-mile (14 km) loop hiking trail with two cutovers to allow shorter trips. Safety concerns include the relative isolation of the park (gas, food and medical care are over 30 miles (48 km) away in Moab), lightning danger and unfenced cliffs. Nearby Moab is a noted center for mountain biking. Bikes in the park are allowed on paved roads, and there is a mountain bike trail called Intrepid Trail near the State Park Visitor’s Center with loops of varying levels of difficulty. Hunting is not allowed in the park.

All vehicles must stay on designated roads and trails. There are no open play areas, campgrounds included. Operation of vehicles off designated roads and trails is a class.

Rated a 6 by the Red-Rock Four-Wheelers, the Hell’s Revenge trail is approximately 6.5 miles in length. Due to hazardous terrain, it is recommended only for experienced drivers. It is not recommended for ATV’s. The only legal entrance to Hell’s Revenge is at the trail head adjacent to the Entrance Station. The Hell’s Revenge trail crosses private property in two areas.

The trail is marked with signs and yellow symbols painted on the rock surface. Search and Rescue routes are marked with white dots and are not intended for recreational use. Hell’s Revenge Trail also crosses the Slickrock Bike Trail (marked with painted white “dashes”). The Slickrock Bike Trail is open to motorcycles and mountain bikes only.

There are no open play areas on this trail. Trailer parking is available at the trailhead.

Corona Arch is a natural sandstone arch near Moab, Utah in a side canyon of the Colorado River. It can be accessed via a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) hiking trail from Utah State Route 279.

This is the site of a rope swing shown on some YouTube videos. One titled, “World’s Largest Rope Swing”, has garnered more than 26 million views since it was posted February 15, 2012. Such videos have led to more people jumping from Corona Arch. On March 24, 2013, a man from Utah was killed due to miscalculating the distance to the ground before he swung from the arch. Few hikes culminate with such wow as the Corona Arch Trail, but because of its proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks it often gets overlooked.