National Park Service Park News U.S. Department of the Interior Arches Visitor Guide The official newspaper of Arches National Park Bring this paper to 2014, No. 1 the visitor center desk for travel tips, Make Memories & Leave No Trace or see back page! MY EYES STARE IN WONDER, MY BREATH is a problem that is widespread in many grows deeper and I can’t seem to stop national parks. The process of removing taking pictures. Where I live, the views graffiti takes time, care, and a lot of hard are not as vast, the colors not as vibrant, work. the air not as fresh, and the skyline not formed by magnificent rock towers. I Luckily though, I know that graffiti have come to a national park: a place of is easily prevented and there are such significance it was deemed worthy many other ways we can mark our of special protection. Arches National journey here: a spectacular photo, an Park was created to protect “gigantic unforgettable hike, a quiet moment arches, natural bridges, ‘windows’, of reflection. When I think about the spires, balanced rocks, and other unique National Park Service mission, wind-worn sandstone formations, for the preservation of which is desirable “to preserve unimpaired the because of their educational and scenic natural and cultural resources and value.” I have traveled far for this values of the national park system experience. for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future As I marvel at this extraordinary generations” landscape, I notice something out of place: someone has “tagged” the rock Examples of graffiti and park staff working hard to remove it. I am inspired. We can all do our part to with their name. I think, “Graffiti? In a achieve this mission. I invite you to join national park?” And then I remember: of love, tic-tac-toe games, offensive is a different place now: there are more me in protecting Arches National Park by over one million people visit Arches drawings, names, initials, or dates. people, more development, and we have not leaving your mark. Make memories, every year. Many may not know that in a chosen to protect these places of beauty take photos...and leave no trace. national park and on other public lands, Leaving a mark is in our nature. Here in and history for the future. Today, graffiti graffiti is vandalism. Graffiti can be words the park and across the Colorado Plateau, is prohibited by law. BY PATRICIA ORTIZ or shapes drawn, carved, scratched, Native Americans, settlers and cowboys or painted on the surface of rocks or all left signs of their presence. These Yet, graffiti appears throughout the other features no matter how small or marks are part of our history, dating park: under arches, on boulders, atop superficially drawn. It can be expressions back hundreds of years. But the world fins – even across ancient petroglyphs. It EXPERIENCE YOUR AMERICA YOUR EXPERIENCE Stay Connected Share your park experiences with us and our growing online community: facebook.com/ArchesNationalPark twitter.com/ArchesNPS Moab, UT 84532 UT Moab, PO Box 907 Box PO flickr.com/ArchesNPS Arches National Park National Arches U.S. Department of the Interior the of Department U.S. youtube.com/ArchesNPS National Park Service Park National General Information Where does my money go? BACKPACKING IN 2004, CONGRESS PASSED THE FEDERAL LANDS ENTRANCE FEES Interagency Access Pass (Free) Hours of Operation Arches has few areas that qualify Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA), The entrance fees at Arches National Park Previously the Golden Access Pass The park is always open, 24 hours a day. as “backcountry”. Outside the which replaced the Recreational Fee are $10 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, Lifetime pass for permanently disabled U.S. The visitor center is open daily from 9 a.m. developed visitor area there are Demonstration Program. Authorized and $5 for bicyclists, those walking or on citizens; entrance to all federal fee areas to 4 p.m., with extended hours mid-March no designated trails, campsites or reliable through December 2015, the law allows motorcycles. The following special passes are plus 50 percent discount on some camping, through October. The visitor center is water sources. To backpack at Arches, you retention of 80% of fees collected at a site now available: activity fees and other special user fees. Hey Kids — closed on December 25th. must obtain a backpacking permit inside to remain there for repair, maintenance Previously-issued Golden Access Passes will the visitor center and camp at least 1 mile and facility enhancement related directly to Interagency Annual Pass ($80) be honored forever by all agencies. This One’s For You! RANGER-GUIDED from roads and 1⁄2 mile from trails. Or, visitor enjoyment, visitor access and health Previously the Golden Eagle/National Park Pass Do you want to explore Arches and help ACTIVITIES consider backpacking at nearby places like and safety. It also includes interpretation, Good for twelve months; available to anyone. Interagency Annual Military Pass (Free) protect the park? Then become a Junior visitor information, visitor service, visitor For qualifying active military and their Evening Programs are Canyonlands National Park that offer more Free entrance to Fish and Wildlife Service Ranger! Becoming a Junior Ranger is a needs assessments and signs; habitat dependents. Present military ID cards at park offered most nights per week, extensive backcountry opportunities. Refuges and National Park Service areas that serious and important task, but it’s lots of restoration directly related to wildlife- entrance for verification. fun too. Ask at the visitor center how you spring through fall, at the Devils Garden charge entrance fees. Covers use of Bureau of dependent recreation, wildlife observation or can get involved. Campground Amphitheater. Check at the CLIMBING & Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation photography; and law enforcement related to Local Pass: Arches, Canyonlands, Options include visitor center for times and topics. CANYONEERING and Forest Service sites that charge Standard completing a It is your responsibility to public use and recreation. Entrance Fees. Hovenweep and Natural Bridges ($25) Level trail at the Windows offers a closer view of the arches (photo by Andrew Kuhn) booklet or checking know and follow all climbing & Good for twelve months; available to anyone; Guided Walks are offered most days per out a Red Rock Interagency Senior Pass ($10) entrance to these four areas only. week, spring through fall, at various locations canyoneering regulations, route closures and ACTIVITY FEES Explorer Pack. It’s FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ACCESSIBILITY Previously the Golden Age Pass in the park. Routes follow easy or moderate group size limits. Obtain day-use permits and Fees charged for ranger-guided Fiery that simple! You’ll ROUTES Not all park facilities meet This new revenue funded the following trails up to 1 mile in length. Check at the route information at the kiosk located in the Furnace walks will go directly to supporting Lifetime pass for U.S. citizens sixty- earn a badge and Arches has a limited number mandated standards, but improvements at Arches: visitor center for times and locations. visitor center plaza or on the park website. the program. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for two years of age and older; entrance certificate and of four-wheel-drive roads. we’re working toward Climbing of any type is prohibited on all children five to twelve years old and Senior to all federal fee areas plus 50 percent • Rehabilitating park trails join the ranks of ATVs/OHVs are not permitted. Check at the increased accessibility. Visitors with Fiery Furnace Walks are offered daily, arches and prominent features. Slacklining is Pass/Access Pass card holders. Children discount on some camping, activity fees • Upgrading roadside restrooms the many Junior visitor center for current road conditions, mobility impairments can access: spring through fall. These moderately always prohibited. Travel only on designated under five years of age are not permitted on and other special user fees. Previously- • Rehabilitating the Devils Garden picnic area Rangers who help especially after recent rain. The Bureau of protect this special place. strenuous, three hour hikes wind through trails, rock or sandy washes to protect soil Fiery Furnace walks. issued Golden Age Passes will be honored • Enhancing trailheads and scenic pullouts Land Management (BLM) maintains many Visitor Center terrain that requires scrambling up and crust and practice Leave No Trace ethics. forever by all agencies. popular 4WD routes outside the park. Ramp and reserved parking. through narrow cracks and along narrow Most routes require advanced skills; assess Restrooms ledges above drop-offs. Children under five your abilities and risks appropriately. Plan TRAVELING WITH PETS Throughout the park including the visitor are not permitted. Reservations may be made well and be prepared for self-rescue. Activities with pets are limited center and Devils Garden. Photo Suggestions at www.recreation.gov and must be made at Arches. Pets are not allowed more than four days before the date of the BIKING Campsite on hiking trails, at overlooks Take home great photos of your Arches hike. Walks are limited to 25 people and Bikes are permitted only on Devils Garden site #4H. or anywhere in the backcountry, even in experience. Below are some tips for where typically fill weeks in advance. Reservation roads, not on hiking trails Park Avenue Viewpoint carriers. Pets may accompany visitors in the you might capture that magic moment at holders must check in at the visitor center at or off-road. Ride single file, Paved path with slight slope near end. both sunrise and sunset. developed campground, and may be walked least one hour before their hike. and be attentive to passing cars and in the park along paved roads.