The incredible array of sandstone arches within Utah’s Arches National Park has made this park one of the most popular national parks in the United States. With more than 1500 arches, many of which are easily accessible via convenient (and often short) trails, any visitor will find awe in interacting with these incredible formations up close. Adventures abound as well, and the chance to “get lost” in this magical place is a very real opportunity.
Our family visited Arches National Park in June of 2019 during our Summer 2019 Road Trip. This visit was one that we will never forget, with this park quickly finding favor as a “Gagnon Family Favorite.” This magical place surely enchanted all of us, with its amazing rock formations, unforgettable hikes, and unique landscape.
Day 1 began very early for our family, departing from our lodging at the Moab Valley RV Resort and Campground (which we would highly recommend) and arriving at the Visitor Center by 7am in the hopes of obtaining permits to hike the “Fiery Furnace” area of the park. Though we were second in line, there were no permits available for our first day in the park, but we were able to procure 6 permits for this wild experience a few days out, so we took full advantage.
After our stop at the Visitor Center, we hightailed it, with our kids still in jammies, to Delicate Arch, one of the most notable and popular sites at Arches National Park. Like most days in the summer months, we knew it would be a decently hot day, and wanted to get an early start, especially for the kids’ sake. It was a tough hike, our toughest of the trip to date, with many vertical climbs up slick rock. Quinn, admittedly our weakest link, CRUSHED it, and walked the entire way uphill holding mine or Grace’s hands. We took a small stop at Frame Arch for the kids to climb, and then continued on, over a small rock ledge, to Delicate Arch. It was GORGEOUS, and framed the snow-capped mountains behind with the most incredible view.
After our stop at the Visitor Center, we hightailed it, with our kids still in jammies, to Delicate Arch, one of the most notable and popular sites at Arches National Park. Like most days in the summer months, we knew it would be a decently hot day, and wanted to get an early start, especially for the kids’ sake. It was a tough hike, our toughest of the trip to date, with many vertical climbs up slick rock. Quinn, admittedly our weakest link, CRUSHED it, and walked the entire way uphill holding mine or Grace’s hands. We took a small stop at Frame Arch for the kids to climb, and then continued on, over a small rock ledge, to Delicate Arch. It was GORGEOUS, and framed the snow-capped mountains behind with the most incredible view.
After our hike to Delicate Arch, we continued on in the RV to Balanced Rock. We could view it well from the RV, but a few of us took a small pathway for a closer view. What an incredible sight
Finally, toward the end of the day, we made a stop to hike the Windows, and Double Arch. Quinn wasn’t having it (he was exhausted), and Grace offered to stay in the RV with him to color and play some games, so Justin and I made the hike with Brady and Hayden. It was an incredible day to end our day in Arches, and we calculated that we walked 8 miles this day alone!
After a full day of exploring, we traveled to our campsite at Devil’s Garden, deep in the park, a new home for us for the night. What a treat this spot was! This campground is known to be one of the most beautiful and unique in all of the National Parks, and after staying there, we know this firsthand.
That evening, our family celebrated Quinn’s Birthday with dinner and chocolate cake and ice cream, his request. This was after a failed attempt to eat cake and ice cream on the top of our RV while watching the sunset. Quinn was a little too nervous about breaking the rules to enjoy it, so we quickly moved inside after the sunset to celebrate our boy.
The “bird’s eye view” down on Devil’s Garden Campground.
The next morning, we woke up and took a short hike to Landscape Arch. Of all the Arches in the park, this one is the most precarious, and even experienced a giant rock slide in 1991. Many experts say it likely will not be around for eternity, so we were glad to see it.
Finally, we headed to the “Fiery Furnace,” a hike that we were all highly anticipating! We cannot tell you just how tough this course was! With this hike, there is no particular “route,” and the trail is like a giant maze with a million different ways to get through, all of them requiring scrambling up-and-down giant boulders, wedging yourself through giant crevices in the rock, and shimmying up and down large “fins” in the rock. WE GOT COMPLETELY LOST. On my end, there were several moments of panic, worrying that our kids would run out of energy, and there would be no way we could make it back. Luckily, we had plenty of food and water, but I knew our energy was limited. After almost 3 1/2 hours, we made it out of the maze. The kids were incredibly tired, but so proud. From that moment on, they claimed that the Fiery Furnace hike was their favorite thing they experienced in the park! Though difficult, we were all so glad we had done it.
Finally, we headed to the “Fiery Furnace,” a hike that we were all highly anticipating! We cannot tell you just how tough this course was! With this hike, there is no particular “route,” and the trail is like a giant maze with a million different ways to get through, all of them requiring scrambling up-and-down giant boulders, wedging yourself through giant crevices in the rock, and shimmying up and down large “fins” in the rock. WE GOT COMPLETELY LOST. On my end, there were several moments of panic, worrying that our kids would run out of energy, and there would be no way we could make it back. Luckily, we had plenty of food and water, but I knew our energy was limited. After almost 3 1/2 hours, we made it out of the maze. The kids were incredibly tired, but so proud. From that moment on, they claimed that the Fiery Furnace hike was their favorite thing they experienced in the park! Though difficult, we were all so glad we had done it.
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