The greatest concentration of natural stone arches in the world, with more than 2,000 catalogued
Area
310 km²
Protection category
IUCN II
Parque nacional —
Designated in
1971
Declared in 1971, Arches holds the greatest documented concentration of natural stone arches in the world, with more than 2,000 catalogued, formed by the selective erosion of a sandstone layer over an ancient underlying salt bed which, as it dissolved and shifted over millions of years, cracked the rock above into the striking stone fins from which the arches later emerged. Delicate Arch, its most photographed formation, even appears on the state of Utah's number plates.
Location
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Arches: 27 documented species
Mammals8Birds9Reptiles3Insecta
Flora and ecosystems
Ecosystems found in the United States, where Arches lies.
DesertTemperate forestTundra / polarWetland
Experiences in this park
Birdwatching
Wildlife you can see now
What is worth looking out for this month in the United States?
Now is a good time: Urban bat colony under Congress Avenue Bridge (March to November (peak in summer))
Similar parks
Which other parks are like this one?
Same country: United States
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Same country: United States
Same country: United States
Keep exploring
Based on what we already know about this park.
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