Arches NP recommendations?

[BlueHour]

Hi, I will be traveling to Arches and Canyonlands NPs later in October. Seeking recommendations on locations/times. For example, is Delicate Arch best photographed at sunrise or sunset? What is a good area/hike during those peak daylight hours when the sun is more harsh? I did secure some timed entry for morning and late afternoon. Thank you

 

[AlanKlein]

When you leave Arches, take a nice 30 minute drive along the Colorado River and visit the Museum of Film and Western Heritage where they made many John Wayne and other westerns, Star Wars, etc. Then another ten minutes into Castle Valley for wonderful town with great views and scenery that were used in those westerns as well. Here's the Google navigation map link that I prepared.

Arches National Park Entrance Station to Castle Valley

maps.app.goo.gl

Museum link Museum of Film and Western Heritage - Yahoo Search Results

DOn't forget Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park for fantastic views. Here;s a link I prepared when I went to hit the highlights.

Arches Entrance Rd to Grand View Point

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[AlanKlein]

Here's a couple of pix from the second tour:

 

[JoeW]

My favorite location at Arches is "The Eye"--particularly if you can shoot it with someone in the eye. As for timing, it's all good--sunrise, sunset, permit to be in the park at night and shoot stuff with the Milky Way--it's all good. Also, not so much for arches but Park Place is pretty cool as well. I'm afraid I can't help you on the hikes.

 

[BlueHour]

That's great, thank you both for the suggestions! Looks beautiful and I very much looking forward to it.

 

[azheat]

If it's too warm to hike during the day and you've got a SUV or pickup, consider driving the Shafer Trail road . It's just outside the Canyonlands Island in the Sky Visitor Center so you don't need to pay the park entrance fee. It takes you into Canyonlands NP and ends in Moab. We didn't need FWD.

Pics from when we drove it:

 

[AlanKlein]

Can't see the photos

 

[Rickbb]

Here is a guy that shot the arch at both sunrise at set from the normal trail access.

Delicate Arch: Best Photo Spots, Hiking Tips, & Interesting Facts

Delicate Arch is a top attraction in Arches National Park. Here are 6 tips so you can have the best experience.

www.earthtrekkers.com

I’ve seen people go off trail and hike a ridge line over from the arch to get sunrise shots. But you will have to hike in the dark either in or out so don’t forget the head lamp. Take a red lens headlamp at sunset the stay until it’s really dark to shoot some night sky stuff.

Don’t skip Dead Horse Point state park, it has an entry fee but worth it. You pass right by it going to Canyon Lands.

On the road by the river to the salt ponds are fantastic scenery, rock art and a few arches. If you rent a 4x4 you can get way in the back of Canyon Lands on some single track dirt roads.

 

[Hof8231]

For Delicate Arch, sunset is best for photos. During midday, try the Park Avenue Trail for some shade. Don’t miss Mesa Arch in the morning for stunning views.

 

[azheat]

Don’t skip Dead Horse Point state park, it has an entry fee but worth it. You pass right by it going to Canyon Lands.

On the road by the river to the salt ponds are fantastic scenery, rock art and a few arches.

Shot from Dead Horse State Park. The road by the river is Shafer Trail road I mentioned above.

I'm not sure if Rickbb meant the potash ponds when he said salt ponds. Regardless, here's one of the potash ponds on Shafer Trail.

 

[Rickbb]

Yeah potash not salt. lol

 

[AlanKlein]

If you like pizza, try McStiffs restaurant in Moab. They also have this petrified tree in the lobby.

 

[BlueHour]

Thank you all, the Shafer Trail looks incredible! No guard rails Not sure if my wife would enjoy that! The blue potash pond has incredible color contrast with the desert landscape. Nature is amazing!

 

[AlanKlein]

Thank you all, the Shafer Trail looks incredible! No guard rails Not sure if my wife would enjoy that! The blue potash pond has incredible color contrast with the desert landscape. Nature is amazing!

I was nervous driving many of the regular roads that had no guard rails in Utah. I skipped one of the roads (Route 12 between Capitol Reef and Bryce) I had planned to take and even lost my reservation payment at a motel because I changed my mind about driving that road and took a safer parallel route. I;m glad I did because the weather changed to hail and snow and I was glad I wasn't driving the scary road.