Resembling a sea of shapes carved out of molten fire, the Arches National Park dominates the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. With numerous sandstone arches strewn across the landscape like unflinching soldiers of a fierce natural force, the park consists of the highest density of natural arches, with the highest recorded elevation at 5,653 feet (1,723 meters) peaking at Elephant Butte. The misshapen bluffs of the Arches National Park are the result of an evaporite layer or salt bed that lies underneath the park's surface. The park's arches and spires have been birthed by the subsurface movement of salt and consistent erosion. Of the staggering number of windswept arches in the area, the famous Delicate Arch is perhaps the most evocative. Along the expanse of this amber wonderland, an eternal interplay of light and shadow persists as sunlight pierces the sandstone fins that mark the terrain.
Painted from nature's own brilliant easel, the Canyonlands National Park is a soul-stirring canvas awash in myriad colors of amber, purple and walnut. Its landscape undulates to manifest dramatic mesas, unusual arches and prominent buttes, all strewn across four distinct territories with their own set of idyllic vistas and experiences. Their names are as fascinating as their terrains, carved by the Colorado and Green River duo. From hoodoo-like formations in the Needles district, to the iconic Mesa Arch in the Island in the Sky district, to an array of other vistas that unfold across the desert, the park is streaked with earth's artistry. Amid this exceptional topography, one can also find a thriving wildlife, from 273 species of aviary creatures that circle the park, to majestic mammals like cougars and bobcats who bask under the golden sun.
Upheaval Dome is a geological marvel situated inside Canyonlands National Park. The crater-like structure rises to a height of 1,500 feet and measures 5.5 miles in diameter. An impact crater(a depression in Earth's surface that formed when it collided with a meteorite), the Dome is predicted to be approximately 170 million years old. Several hiking trails allow visitors to explore this unique geological feature up close.
With an elevation of 6,312 feet (1,923.89 meters), Aztec Butte is a prominent sandstone formation located in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. The butte is named after its resemblance to a Mesoamerican pyramid. The hike to Aztec Butte is a moderate trail that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the surrounding desert landscape and experience the park's unique geological features, including towering rock formations, deep canyons, and ancient Native American ruins. At the top of Aztec Butte, hikers can explore two ancient Ancestral Puebloan granaries that are built into the cliffs.
Resembling a sea of shapes carved out of molten fire, the Arches National Park dominates the high desert of the Colorado Plateau. With numerous sandstone arches strewn across the landscape like unflinching soldiers of a fierce natural force, the park consists of the highest density of natural arches, with the highest recorded elevation at 5,653 feet (1,723 meters) peaking at Elephant Butte. The misshapen bluffs of the Arches National Park are the result of an evaporite layer or salt bed that lies underneath the park's surface. The park's arches and spires have been birthed by the subsurface movement of salt and consistent erosion. Of the staggering number of windswept arches in the area, the famous Delicate Arch is perhaps the most evocative. Along the expanse of this amber wonderland, an eternal interplay of light and shadow persists as sunlight pierces the sandstone fins that mark the terrain.
Upheaval Dome is a geological marvel situated inside Canyonlands National Park. The crater-like structure rises to a height of 1,500 feet and measures 5.5 miles in diameter. An impact crater(a depression in Earth's surface that formed when it collided with a meteorite), the Dome is predicted to be approximately 170 million years old. Several hiking trails allow visitors to explore this unique geological feature up close.
Painted from nature's own brilliant easel, the Canyonlands National Park is a soul-stirring canvas awash in myriad colors of amber, purple and walnut. Its landscape undulates to manifest dramatic mesas, unusual arches and prominent buttes, all strewn across four distinct territories with their own set of idyllic vistas and experiences. Their names are as fascinating as their terrains, carved by the Colorado and Green River duo. From hoodoo-like formations in the Needles district, to the iconic Mesa Arch in the Island in the Sky district, to an array of other vistas that unfold across the desert, the park is streaked with earth's artistry. Amid this exceptional topography, one can also find a thriving wildlife, from 273 species of aviary creatures that circle the park, to majestic mammals like cougars and bobcats who bask under the golden sun.
With an elevation of 6,312 feet (1,923.89 meters), Aztec Butte is a prominent sandstone formation located in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park. The butte is named after its resemblance to a Mesoamerican pyramid. The hike to Aztec Butte is a moderate trail that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the surrounding desert landscape and experience the park's unique geological features, including towering rock formations, deep canyons, and ancient Native American ruins. At the top of Aztec Butte, hikers can explore two ancient Ancestral Puebloan granaries that are built into the cliffs.