This is a world of stone and sky, where between the eye and the horizon lies a colorful panorama of buttes, canyons, and plateaus. Life is challenging in this desert environment, yet many animals have adapted to the extremes of temperature and topography here. Rare perennial streams and seeps support explosions of vegetation and echo with the songs of water-loving wildlife.

The forces of nature have, over an immense span of time, created a wondrous landscape here. Slickrock caps of Navajo sandstone cover layers of sediment from ancient oceans, shores, and deserts, and folds and warps in these layers indicate movement of long-buried salt deposits. Hiking trails lead to graceful sandstone spans arcing against the sky, enormous rocks balanced on thin spires, standing rock fins, and cliff walls hundreds of feet high.

Arches National Park possesses a beauty both grand and strange. Some who visit will want to know more about geologic or natural history. Others may be inspired to creative expression. The sublime beauty of the land, however, speaks to everyone.

• Arches National Park -

• Drive to the Windows area to see some of the park's largest arches.
• Drive to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint to see the world's most famous arch. Stop at the Wolfe Ranch on your way back, and pause to imagine what it might have been like to homestead this relatively barren area in the late 1800s.
• Go climb a rock! Despite its sandy nature, the rock at Arches offers excellent climbing opportunities. Most climbing routes in the park require advanced techniques.