Arches National Park, Utah - The Highest Density Of Natural Rock Arches On Earth

The Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah and primarily renowned for its natural sandstone arches and other wonderful rock structures. The national park contains the highest density of natural arches in the world with more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches. It is adjacent to the Colorado River, 4 miles north of Moab. The park comprises 76,519 acres or 119 square miles of area across the Colorado Plateau. The most famous natural stone arch, "Delicate Arch" is also included in the park. Delicate Arch has become iconic due to its freestanding shape. The area was originally named a national monument on April 12, 1929, and was redesignated as a national park on November 12, 1971. There are variety of unique geological resources and formations in the park. Under the blue sky, this magical place of red rocks resembles the land of Mars.

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In the park, Elephant Butte has the highest elevation of 5,653 feet and visitor center has the lowest elevation of 4,085 feet. It is believed that since the last ice age 10,000 years ago, humans have occupied this area. According to some studies, the Fremont people and the ancient Pueblo people lived in this area almost 700 years ago. This strange landscape is mostly the result of the underlying soil's salt composition, the effects of pressure from sediments, and continuous work of air and water. Wildlife in Arches is also playing a great role in its popularity. The list of wildlife includes desert bighorn sheep, peregrine falcon, spadefoot toad, antelope squirrel, collared lizard, western rattlesnake, scrub jay, red fox, kangaroo rat, mule deer, cougar, midget faded rattlesnake, yucca moth and many kinds of sparrows.

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There is also a great list of plants which includes Utah juniper, bunch grasses, prickly pear cactus, sacred datura, Indian ricegrass, four-winged saltbrush, cheatgrass, lichen, moss, liverworts, blackbrush, sand verbena, yucca, pinyon pine, evening primrose, cliffrose and Mormon tea. The park receives an average of less than 250 mm of rain annually. The park receives a large number of visitors every year.

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The Arches National Park is notable for its amazing natural features. The most popular features are Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, Balanced Rock, Landscape Arch, Courthouse Towers, Dark Angel, Wall Arch, Petrified Dunes, Fiery Furnace and Double Arch. According to the Park rules and regulations, climbing Balanced Rock or any named or unnamed arch in Arches National Park with an opening of more than 3 feet is prohibited. Auto touring, backpacking, biking, camping and hiking come under approved recreational activities, but still some of which require permits.

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