Skyline Arch ~ Arches National Park

One of the most intriguing symbols of the west is the natural rock arch and Utah sure does have plenty of them. In fact, there are so many picturesque arches concentrated in one location that a National Park was established in their honor. Arches National Park is a showcase of these natural wonders and the one that is pictured most often in tourism brochures is Delicate Arch, which truly is an inspiration for artists worldwide.

Classic western landscape artists certainly are attracted to the natural wonders in Arches National Park and all it takes is a little bit of internet browsing to see countless examples in water color and oil paint medium. The modern age of digital photography also presents many fine interpretations of the majestic rock arches, especially during inclement weather or solar events. The arches are featured in everything from time lapse sunrise captures to late night long exposure photos with the Milky Way in the background.

The natural arches of Utah are pure inspiration and one of the easiest to access is Skyline Arch inside the namesake National Park. Parking can be the biggest hurdle on a busy day just like any other point of interest in Arches National Park, so the biggest challenge will be maintaining patience. The round trip hike to Skyline Arch is less than one half mile long and most visitors are here and gone in less than an hour, which means the parking spots open frequently.

The foot trail is fairly smooth, but it is sandy, so those who have mobility challenges may need assistance. Carrying water is a good idea even though the distance is short, because the arid high desert environment has a way of making even the most hearty hiker thirsty. Depending on the time of day, there is some shade to be found along the way, which is a welcome sight when the hot sunlight is blazing down. When stopping to take the views in, the true nature of this serene desert environment is realized, while the towering red rock formations cast an ominous visual effect.

The majestic views of Skyline Arch begin at the first step on the trail and they continue all the way to the base of the arch. This foot trail offers plenty of viewing perspectives to choose from, so it is easy to be selective when taking a photo snapshot. The memories are even easier to bring home and the views of Skyline Arch certainly are definitely worth writing home about!