National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior Arches Visitor Guide The official newspaper of Arches National Park 2012, No. 1 The Heart of the Desert BY KAREN HENKER WATER. THE LACK OF IT DEFINES THE DESERT, water, 4.2oz/0.125L of oil, and 0.26lb/20g and yet evidence of its influence of greenhouse gases to create just one surrounds you at Arches National 16.9oz/0.5L disposable plastic water Park. Water’s unequalled power to bottle. In 2011, park visitors recycled an carve, chisel, and crack solid rock is impressive 13,750lbs/6,237.8 kg of these responsible for wondrous sandstone single-use vessels, but how many more arches, towers, and other fanciful went to the landfill? Just as dinosaur shapes that ignite the imagination. fossils give us a glimpse of ancient life, the Cracks filled with trapped rainwater objects we carelessly throw away could sustain diverse plant life, like the iconic become our civilization’s fossil record. gnarled juniper tree and razor-sharp Choosing to drink from reusable water yucca. Shallow pools called desert bottles, such as those sold in the Arches potholes teem with microscopic Visitor Center bookstore, reduces our creatures, and could mean the imprint today and far into the future. difference between life and death for Thirsty? Refill your water bottles at Devils Garden or the visitor center. Refilling a reusable bottle at a faucet in a thirsty bighorn ewe. There is just the park does more than conserve fuel, enough water here for desert-adapted The most obvious “local” natural water center provide purified water just for water, and landfill space. When you life forms to survive, but what about source would be the Colorado River, drinking. This water has been treated by drink park water, a drop of the desert non-native species, such as park but its rust-red eddies and frothy rapids a reverse osmosis system that removes becomes a part of you. It is a way to take visitors? Is there enough water to share? are most enjoyed by rafters and riparian particles and organic chemicals, making Arches National Park home with you, wildlife. Water for park visitors’ use the water extra-soft and remarkably along with memories of your visit, a little Yes. Arches National Park provides comes from deeply-buried rock layers, good tasting. The treatment process uses sand in your shoes, and photographs water at the visitor center, campground, where it travels through cracks and energy and park resources, so please of unique and dramatic landscapes. and Devils Garden trailhead for visitors gaps in the porous sandstone. Two conserve water and do not bathe at these Responsibly sharing water with the to enjoy. When you refill a water bottle wells reach far below ground (one over spigots. And when you do fill up, please juniper, yucca, pothole creatures, at any water faucet in the park, you’re 1,160ft/353.6m deep) to collect this turn faucets completely off so that none bighorn sheep, and countless future getting a clean, fresh, local taste of the ancient, naturally-filtered source, and of this precious resource is wasted. visitors is part of the experience at desert’s most precious resource, and underground pipes transport it to sinks, Arches. So fill your cup, say a word of conserving other limited resources – flushing toilets, and drinking faucets Wisely choosing how your water is thanks, and enjoy a refreshing gulp of such as fossil fuels and clean air – shared throughout the park. Two specially- packaged can also conserve limited the heart of the desert. by every creature on Earth. labeled spigots in front of the visitor resources. It takes around 50oz/1.5 L of EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA YOUR EXPERIENCE Hours of Operation Arches is open every day of the year, 24 hours a day. The visitor center is open daily (except December 25th) during the following hours: Mid-March through October 7:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. November through mid-March Moab, UT 84532 UT Moab, 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. (subject to change) PO Box 907 Box PO Arches National Park National Arches www.facebook.com/ArchesNationalPark U.S. Department of the Interior the of Department U.S. National Park Service Park National www.twitter.com/ArchesNPS National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior General Information CAMPING TRAVELING WITH PETS Overnight camping is only permitted in Activities with pets are limited at Arches. Pets the campground or with a backcountry are not allowed on hiking trails, at overlooks Arches Visitor Guide permit. Devils Garden Campground has or anywhere in the backcountry. Pets 50 sites and is located 18 miles from the may accompany visitors in the developed Published By park entrance. Expect the campground campground, and may be walked in the park Canyonlands Natural History Association, to be full daily March through October. along paved roads. Pets must be leashed at all a not-for-profit organization that assists Tables and fire rings are provided in each times when outside a vehicle. For your pets’ the National Park Service in its educational, site. Water and flush toilets are available safety, do not leave them in vehicles when interpretive and scientific programs. For more in several locations. Camping fees are $20 outside temperatures are above 65�F as they information, see the back page. per site per night. Wood gathering and can die of heat exhaustion. There are three ground fires are prohibited. Wood may kennels with boarding services in Moab: Park Mailing Address be purchased from campground hosts Arches National Park PO Box 907 March through October. Two group tent Karen’s Canine Campground Moab, UT 84532 sites are available for eleven people or 2781 S. Roberts Rd. more: Juniper Basin (up to 55 people) (435) 259-7922 Phone and Canyon Wren (up to 35 people). The (435) 719-2299 (voice) group camping fee is $3per person per Moab Veterinary Clinic night, with a $33 per night minimum. 4575 Spanish Valley Drive Email No recreational vehicles or trailers are (435) 259-8710 Biking along the scenic drive [email protected] permitted in group sites. Desert Doggie Daycare Websites SHARE THE road RESERVations 4890 Sunny Acres Lane www.nps.gov/arch Park roads are narrow and winding. Do not Reservations may be made up to six (435) 259-4841 www.facebook.com/ArchesNationalPark stop in the roadway—save sightseeing for www.twitter.com/ArchesNPS months in advance. Due to high demand, designated viewpoints. Watch for pedestrians www.flickr.com/ArchesNPS reservations are recommended prior to and bicycles. Ensure a minimum distance of Nearby, there are vast public lands that offer arrival at the park, otherwise plan on three feet (one meter) when passing. great hiking and do allow pets on trails. Cover Photo utilizing other camping options in the We recommend you keep your pet Double O Arch Moab area. All campsites at Devils Garden Bikes are permitted only on roads, not on a leash, even on public lands, to avoid are on a reservation system between on hiking trails or off-road. Ride single uncomfortable encounters with wildlife and The National Park Service cares for the special March 1st and October 31st. Reservations file, and be attentive to passing cars and prevent resource damage. places saved by the American people so that must be made at least four days and no recreational vehicles that may not be aware all may experience our heritage. more than 180 days in advance. To make a of cyclists. On the paved road, there are EMERGENCY! reservation online, visit www.recreation. no road shoulders or bike lanes. Many Any number of emergencies can occur while gov. To make a reservation by phone, call you are visiting the park: hiking accidents, RANGER-GUIDED ACTIVITIES dirt roads are sandy, washboarded or (877)444-6777 (Toll Free), (877)833-6777 gravel. The Willow Springs road offers an medical emergencies or perhaps you have Evening Programs are offered most nights (TDD) or (518)885-3639(International). enjoyable two to three-hour ride. Most locked your keys in your vehicle. If you have per week, spring through fall, at the Devils popular biking trails in the Moab area are an emergency: Garden Campground Amphitheater. Check ACCESSIBILITY on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at the visitor center for time and topic. • Contact a park employee. Many park Not all park facilities meet mandated land outside of the park. rangers are trained emergency medical standards, but we’re working toward Guided Walks are offered most days per technicians. Law enforcement rangers can increased accessibility. Visitors with week, spring through fall, at various locations CLIMBING & CANYONEERING investigate vehicle accidents, handle other mobility impairments can access: in the park. Routes follow easy or moderate Most technical climbing and canyoneering police matters, as well as take reports of trails up to 1 mile in length. Check at the routes require advanced skills. Please plan lost hikers, fires, or other emergencies. Visitor Center accordingly and be prepared for self rescue. visitor center for times and locations. Ramp and reserved parking. • Go to the visitor center: If the building is It is your responsibility to know and follow closed, use the pay phones in front of the Restrooms all current climbing and canyoneering Fiery Furnace Walks are offered daily, building to dial 911 (no coin is needed). Throughout the park including the visitor spring through fall. These three hour regulations and closures. Climbing of any center and Devils Garden. hikes wind through terrain that requires type is not permitted on certain prominent • Dial 911 on your cellular phone: You will scrambling up and through narrow cracks Campsite features and arches.