National&State Park

Grand Circle UTAH and ARIZONA Nine Parks Photo Page
Yosemite National Park CALIFORNIA Photo Page
Sequoia and KingsCanyon National Parks CALIFORNIA Photo Page
Slot Canyons Photo Page
Canyons P1 P2


Grand Circle Arches National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Dead Horse Point State Park
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Goosenecks State Park
Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Natural Bridges National Monument
Zion National Park

Arches National Park
Arches National Park
P.O. Box 907
Moab, UTAH 84532-0907
www.nps.gov/arch

Fee: $10.00 Elevation: 4,085 ft/1,245 m Visitor Center

Massive Rocks, More than 2000 cataloged Arches, photogenic views and wondrous experiences. Arches NP is not only a beautiful park but also an exciting active spot. I strongly recommend you visit if your plans include "The Grant Circle Tour". This is one park you shouldn't pass up on your trip. The park is a relatively small area compared to other huge NP, but it felt pretty wide because it's at least 20 mile drive each way to visit most spots. Several miles separate some view spots. The most interesting point might be Devils Garden which includes Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, seven other arches and great trails The Arches and the surroundings leave you with a strong impression. Also worth seeing are Delicate Arch, Balanced Arch, and both North and South Arches. Other Arches are also surely great. If you have time, please allow 1 full day or 2 days to see the park. For quick visits, you can drive in the park and see some popular points and walk a couple of short trails in half a day. The Rocks around sunset time are worth waiting for because of the spectacular colors. You could take beautiful photographs in this park even if you aren't a great photographer.

HIKE What I strongly suggest to do is to hike. You will enjoy nice scenery and exiting trails that include walking on rocky surfaces and climbing rocks. One of the most exciting routes is the Primitive Loop Trail which is the longest of the maintained trails between Double O Arch and Landscape Arch, approximately 2.2 miles with a variety of landscape along the way. Actually some points on the route are a little bit difficult and hard but it's very interesting. Delicate Arch, which might be the most famous Arch in the park because of its picture in many brochures, is also worth seeing. To get there, you need to hike about 3 miles. The first part of the route is walking on rocky surfaces without shade. It is advised you carry plenty of water. The last part of the trail is narrow and goes up hill.

MOAB The best access to Arches NP is MOAB which is on Hwy 191. It is also a nice town with many restaurants, shops, motels and Gas stations. It's about 5 miles south from the entrance of Arches NP. Also it�s very convenient for visits to both Canyonlands NP and Dead Horse Point SP.

View Points
Balanced Rock
Actually it's a very interesting rock. The rock is known by its photo in many guidebooks. You can easily see the rock from Balanced Rock parking area. The loop trail starts from the parking area.

Garden of Eden
It's a very beautiful and artistic place. The best photographic time might be later afternoon especially the sunset.

North and South Windows
Includes Turret Arch and Double Arch.

Landscape Arch and Double O Arch
Massive and beautiful. If you have time, hike to Double O Arch. During the route there are two more arches, Navajo and Partition Arch.

Delicate Arch
The most famous Arch in the park is beautiful and giant. Hike from the Wolfe Ranch parking area.

Trails
Devils Garden section :
Primitive Loop Trail 2.2 mi/3.5 km Double O Arch to Landscape Arch Difficult
The most exciting route is Primitive Loop trail. It's a pretty hard route that includes a spectacular rock wall, a valley, climbing many rocks, walking through desert and many plants and animals. It is also a route to Private Arch. Very inspiring.

Devils Garden Section:
Double O Arch 4.2 mi/6.8 km Difficult
It's a very nice trail. Walking on rocky surface, climbing and jumping off rock. Also scenery from this route is spectacular and panoramic.

Others
Park Avenue (one way)1.0 mi/1.6 kmModerately easy
Windows (loop)1.0 mi/1.6 kmEasy
Landscape Arch1.6 mi/2.6 kmModerately easy
Balanced Rock (loop)0.3 mi/0.5 kmEasy
Double Arch0.8 mi/1.2 kmEasy
Sand Dune Arch0.3 mi/0.5 kmEasy
Broken Arch1.3 mi/2.1 kmEasy
Skyline Arch0.4 mi/0.6 kmModerate

Motel Accommodation and Restaurant:
Super 8 Motel 889 North Main St., Moab, Utah 84532
$50.00/night (Apr. 27 2001)

Others:
Best Western Greenwell Motel Days Inn Motel 6 Ramada Inn Sleep Inn
Red Stone Inn Red Rock Lodge Moab Valley Inn Big Horn Lodge
Castle Rock Inn Colorado River Lodge Comfort Suites more

Restaurant:
Banditos-Fresh Mexican Grill-467 North Main St., Moab, Utah 84532
more many choices

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Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, Arizona 86023
www.nps.govgrca

Fee: $20.00 Elevation: 7,120 ft/2,170m at Mather Point

The most spectacular park in the Grand Circle Tour would be this one. South rim is the best area for visitors. This is where the stores and lodges are. The view from the south rim is great and panoramic.
These are some viewpoints:

Mather Point:
If you go to the Grand Canyon, you get to this point first. You have the first strong impression here. Spectacular views of the huge rim are seen from here. You can also see the Colorado River far below.

Grandview Point:
Each viewpoint on the south rim has a slightly different view. This point also provides a great view with different scenery from the view at Mather Point.

Desert View:
This large viewpoint is located at the east entrance with lots of parking space, restaurants and an information center. The view from this point is basically an east rim view that is solid scenery compared to other points. The west rim side is visible across the deep canyon. The Colorado River is closer at this point.

Other points:
Lipan Point Yaki Point Yavapai Point Hopi Point Pima Point more

Grand Canyon Village is a large town with lodges, hotels, a shuttle bus station, stores, banks and an information center. Access to the west rim is available here.
There are many trail routes and activities. It would be better to stay a couple of days if you enjoy hiking.

Since the south rim is the most popular area, I recommend another area if you are someone who likes panoramic and intense views. The East rim area where there are many big cracks on huge and flat ground. Between Hwy 64 from the east entrance and Hwy 89, drive this scenic route and look to the left side. Unlike the south rim, there is a massive wide view. There is also a viewpoint on the left side that allows you to look down into the deep canyon. Look for the �View Point� sign.

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Natural Bridges National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument
UTAH
HC 60 Box 1
Lake Powell, UT 84533
http://www.nps.gov/nabr/

Fee: $6.00 Elevation: 6,505 ft/2,001 m

Natural Bridges is a relatively small area, 7,636 acres, which is located along Bicentennial Hwy 95. Since it is far from the other NP and SP in the area, the atmosphere there is quiet and the number of visitors is not high. But the Bicentennial Hwy 95 is surely worth the drive. The Hwy is exciting and the scenery spectacular and might be one of top drives in "The Grand Circle Tour."

There are three bridges, Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo - along with various wildlife and plants. Visitors drive to see each point along the one-way Bridge View drive, 9 mi/14.5km. The Horsecollar Ruin site is also one of the interesting attractions at Natural Bridges. The Natural Bridges are formed by the erosive action of running water. If you ask a ranger about the bridges or the park, they are more then happy to answer any questions and share stories. Unlike other popular and busy NP, the rangers here seem to enjoy being at Natural Bridges. One ranger told me she likes the park and her job because it is very comfortable. Before she used to be in another NP in Colorado where it was very crowded and busy. They have a lot of information about the history and nature and many interesting stories to tell.

BridgeHeightSpanWidthThickness
Owachomo106180279
Sipapu2202683153
Kachina2102044493
Dimensions in feet

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Zion National Park
Zion National Park
UTAH
SR 9
Springdale, UT 84767-1099
http://www.nps.gov/zion/index.htm

Fee: $20.00 Elevation: Lowest 3,666 ft (1,128 m) Highest 8,726 ft (2,660 m)

One of the famous NP in the "Grand Circle Tour" is Zion NP. It is located in the southeast about a two and a half-hour drive from Las Vegas. The number of visitors in 1999 was no fewer then 2, 400,000 and in the park are many conveniences; lodges, a theatre, restaurants, stores and museums. A shuttle bus is provided in the park so visitors can easily get to the most popular points. Zion has spectacular rocks and cliffs, beautiful scenery and many different levels of trails so that families, hikers and climbers can all enjoy activities here. From the window of the shuttle bus you can see climbers climbing cliffs on both sides of the road. You should bring binoculars. If you have a couple of days to spend here, you could enjoy many activities and see many sights throughout the park.

Each hiking route starts from the shuttle bus stop. The most famous trail route might be "Narrows". This exciting and enjoyable route is worth the effort if you have the chance. The beginning of the route starts as Riverside walk, a one-mile route that goes along the Virgin River. It's an easy and scenic route between high cliffs. The paved trail ends at the Virgin River and the trail enters the river and the hiker must wade through the chilly water towards the upper stream in the shadow of soaring cliff walls, sand stone, grottos and natural springs.

Between the Zion-Carmel Hwy tunnel and around the south entrance is a scenic road with high cliffs and spectacular rocks. It is very convenient for visitors around the visitor's center at the south entrance because there are many facilities including a bookstore, supermarket and restaurants.

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