What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park

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Arches National Park has the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the world. There are over 2,000 documented arches in the park, plus pinnacles, balanced rocks, fins and other geologic formations. Some are more notable than others. Here is a sampling of some of the longest, tallest, and most famous rock formations in the park.

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Landscape Arch

NPS/Neal Herbert

Longest Span:

With a light opening measured at 306 feet (93.3 meters), Landscape Arch, in the Devils Garden area, has the longest span of any arch in North America. (Four arches in China now outrank Landscape in the claim for largest arch in the world.)

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Double Arch soars above a tiny figure in blue.

NPS/Jacob W. Frank

Tallest Opening:

The southern span of Double Arch soars 112 feet (34 m) above ground level in The Windows Section. It is also the third-longest (or widest) arch in the park, at 144 feet (44 m) across.

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
From this angle, Balanced Rock seems to almost defy gravity.

NPS/Neal Herbert

Biggest Balancer:

Standing beneath Balanced Rock, it's hard to grasp its size. The massive sandstone boulder perched atop the pedestal is estimated to weigh 3,577 tons. That's the weight of an icebreaker ship or approximately 27 blue whales.

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Delicate Arch from an uncommon angle

NPS/Neal Herbert

Most Famous:

Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is the most famous natural stone arch in the world. Referred to as "The Arch" by many arriving visitors for whom it is No. 1 on their must-see lists, Delicate has an allure that is hard to explain but impossible to deny.

The light opening beneath Delicate Arch is 46 feet (14 m) high. The entire rock span is around 60 feet (18 m) tall.

Every single arch, spire, and other rock shape in the park is a remnant of massive, solid layers of rock that once covered the area. Over time, the layers bulged, cracked, and began to erode away. Given enough time, every arch will be gone and the layer beneath will be exposed... until it, too, is gone. What will the park look like then?

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Last updated: April 20, 2020

Article

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Landscape Arch, North America's longest.

NPS/Neal Herbert

  • Park Designations:
    Arches National Monument—established April 12, 1929
    Arches National Park—established November 12, 1971
  • Acreage: 76,519 acres or 119 square miles
  • Visitation: 1,539,028 (2017) View more visitation statistics.
  • Highest Elevation: Elephant Butte 5,653 feet
  • Lowest Elevation: Visitor Center 4,085 feet
  • Average annual precipitation: 8-10 inches Read more about weather.
  • Number of documented arches: Over 2,000 (Some may have fallen and new arches may be forming.)
  • Longest arch: Landscape Arch has a light opening 306 feet (93.3 meters) across.
  • Tallest arch: Double Arch South has a vertical light opening of 112 feet (34.1 meters).
  • Rock colors: Red sandstones in the park contain iron oxide. Greenish rocks also contain iron, but in a reduced (non-oxidized) state. Depending on the conditions under which a rock was formed, iron can color rocks red, black, orange, purple, or greenish grey.
  • 483 species of plants
    Rare species: Canyonlands Biscuitroot
  • 186 species of birds
    Threatened species: Bald Eagle, Mexican Spotted Owl
  • 52 species of mammals
  • 6 species of fish
    Endangered species: Bonytail Chub, Colorado Pikeminnow, Humpback Chub, Razorback Sucker
  • 6 species of amphibians
  • 21 species of reptiles

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  • arches national park
  • visitation
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Last updated: December 19, 2018

Spanning over 73,000 acres, Arches National Park offers plenty to explore for the curious. Visitors can walk amongst a towering wonderland of wind and water-eroded sandstone hoodoos, fins, spires, and more. But what makes Arches National Park so popular are its famous arches. There are over 2,000 marked arches within the park! Discover our favorite arches to see in Arches in National Park with our guide below.

Delicate Arch

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Delicate Arch at Arches National Park.

Probably the most iconic arch within the park is the Delicate Arch. The arch rises 46 feet from the ground, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. The hike to the base of the arch is three miles, round trip. While accessible for most, there are a few steep drops offs, which some may not enjoy. It is one of the most popular hikes in the park, so expect plenty of people walking alongside you. If you don’t want to walk that far, then stop at the lower delicate arch viewpoint, only 100 yards from the parking lot.

Tip: A visit to Delicate Arch in the winter is especially beautiful after a fresh snowfall. Discover this and other things to do in Moab in the winter with our guide!

Windows Section

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Utah’s winter sun rises on Turret Arch through North Window in Arches National Park.

As one of the most popular arches to see in Arches National Park, the Windows Section contains a large concentration of arches. Notable features include the Double Arch, Turret Arch, and the North Window. An easy trail from the parking lot will take you to the South and North Windows as well as the Turret Arch.

Double Arch

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Double Arch at Arches NP

Located almost directly across from the Windows section is the popular Double Arch. While you can see the Double Arch from the parking lot, it is much more impressive (as most of these are) when experienced up close. There is a short hike that leads you to the base of the arch, making this easily accessible for the entire family.

Landscape Arch

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
Landscape Arch in Arches National Park. Utah, USA.

For those who want a bit of a challenge, hike the primitive Devil’s Garden loop to see the Landscape Arch. While the entire Devil’s Garden hike is 7.2 miles, a 1.6-mile round trip from the same trailhead will lead you to Landscape Arch. Also, spot Navajo Arch and Partition Arch in the same area. This hike is found at the far end of the park and requires a little scrambling and exposure to bare ledges.

Sand Dune Arch

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park
This unique arch is surrounded by soft sand all around

Walk through thick sand amongst narrow rock fins, with what almost feels like you are in a slot canyon, to reach the Sand Dune Arch. This arch sits much lower to the ground, providing a real personal experience with the structure. The short hike to the arch is a great spot for families and people of all skill levels.

Stay at Hotel Moab Downtown

What is the biggest arch in Arches National Park

After your day of adventures exploring the most popular arches in Arches National Park, rest your head at night at Hotel Moab Downtown. Just as our name suggests, we are located in the heart of downtown Moab, offering a central location for exploring all that Moab has to offer. Our clean and comfortable rooms feature all the modern amenities, including high-speed internet, and flat-screen TVs to ensure an enjoyable stay. Plus, for your safety and others, enjoy minimal contact with exterior corridors. For the best rate guaranteed, always remember to book directly on our website.

What are the biggest arches in Arches National Park?

Landscape Arch in Arches National Park has a span of 290 feet, the longest of any arch in the world, and is unquestionably the most mind-boggling due to its gravity-defying ribbon of rock that in places narrows to only 7 feet in thickness.

Which arch is best at Arches National Park?

Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is the most famous natural stone arch in the world. Referred to as "The Arch" by many arriving visitors for whom it is No. 1 on their must-see lists, Delicate has an allure that is hard to explain but impossible to deny.

Where is the Big arch in Arches National Park?

Delicate Arch is a 52-foot-tall (16 m) freestanding natural arch located in Arches National Park, near Moab in Grand County, Utah, United States. ... .

Why is the Delicate Arch so famous?

In a park with over 2,000 stone arches, this particular free-standing arch has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The light opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park.