Moab: Arches National Park Driving Tour

Moab’s Arches National Park is a natural wonder that attracts visitors from around the world. The park’s iconic geological formations, like the famous Delicate Arch, have become synonymous with the American West. Exploring the park by car allows travelers to experience its diverse landscapes, from the towering Landscape Arch to the craggy rock formations sculpted by millennia of tectonic forces. Along the way, breathtaking vistas of the rugged La Sal Mountains and the surreal Petrified Dunes create an unforgettable journey. For those ready to uncover the park’s hidden gems, the driving tour offers a chance to discover the park’s lesser-known, yet equally captivating, wonders.

This experience made our list of the 25 Best National Park Tours In Moab.

Key Points

• Explore the renowned Delicate Arch, a 60-foot-tall freestanding sandstone arch, against the backdrop of the dramatic Salt Valley landscape.
• Discover the towering Landscape Arch, one of the longest natural arches in the world, and other craggy rock formations sculpted over millennia.
• Marvel at the Three Penguins, a unique rock formation, and the Moab Fault Overlook showcasing the dramatic tectonic history shaping the desert environment.
• Admire the rugged beauty of the La Sal Mountains and the unique geology shaping the Three Gossips, offering breathtaking desert and alpine vistas.
• Venture through the Fiery Furnace, a maze-like labyrinth of towering sandstone walls, and visit the picturesque Sand Dune Arch, with its soft, sculpted sandstone.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Arches National Park Highlights

Arches National Park boasts a myriad of iconic natural wonders, from the renowned Delicate Arch to the towering Landscape Arch. Visitors can marvel at the park’s craggy rock formations, eroded mountainous fins, and unique geologic features that have been sculpted over millennia.

Key highlights include the Three Penguins, Moab Fault Overlook, and the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, which offer breathtaking panoramas. The tour also explores the Three Gossips, Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, and the Garden of Eden, showcasing the park’s diverse landscapes.

Whether it’s the Petrified Dunes, the Cove of Caves, or the dramatic Fiery Furnace, Arches National Park promises an unforgettable adventure for visitors.

Three Penguins and Moab Fault

The driving tour kicks off at the Three Penguins, a unique rock formation resembling the beloved Antarctic birds, setting the stage for the captivating geological wonders to come.

Next, visitors will make their way to the Moab Fault Overlook, where they can gaze upon the dramatic fault line that slices through the landscape, showcasing the region’s dynamic tectonic history.

The fault is a tangible reminder of the immense forces that have shaped this desert environment over millennia. Guests can pause to admire the stunning views and learn about the geologic processes that created this striking geological feature, setting the tone for the rest of the immersive driving adventure through Arches National Park.

La Sal Mountains and Three Gossips

Next, the tour moves on to the La Sal Mountains, where visitors can marvel at the dramatic contrast between the towering peaks and the surrounding desert landscape.

Nearby, the curious rock formation known as the Three Gossips stands as a testament to the powerful forces of erosion that have sculpted the park’s iconic features over millennia.

Along the way, you’ll:

1. Admire the rugged beauty of the La Sal range, which towers over 12,000 feet above sea level.
2. Learn about the Paiute people’s spiritual connections to the majestic mountains.
3. Discover the unique geology that has shaped the Three Gossips, a trio of sandstone pillars.
4. Snap breathtaking photos of the desert scenery framed by the distant alpine peaks.

Courthouse Towers and Petrified Dunes

Moving on, the tour takes visitors to the Courthouse Towers, a striking series of sandstone spires that rise dramatically from the desert floor.

Nearby, the otherworldly Petrified Dunes showcase the remarkable effects of wind and water erosion on the park’s ancient geological formations.

These towering sandstone structures were once a part of a massive rock fin that has since been eroded away, leaving behind the iconic pillars and arches that make Arches National Park so visually stunning.

Travelers can marvel at the intricate details and patterns carved into the stone, evidence of the park’s dynamic geologic history.

With a keen eye, visitors might even spot wildlife scurrying across the dunes or perched atop the Courthouse Towers.

More Great Tours Nearby

Garden of Eden and The Windows

After admiring the dramatic Courthouse Towers and the captivating Petrified Dunes, the tour continues to the Garden of Eden, a whimsical landscape dotted with unique sandstone formations sculpted by the elements over millennia.

Nearby, visitors encounter The Windows, a set of expansive arches that offer sweeping vistas of the surrounding desert scenery.

The Garden of Eden delights with:

1. Bizarre and twisted rock formations
2. Opportunities to hike among the otherworldly landscape
3. Panoramic views of the La Sal Mountains in the distance
4. A chance to embrace the park’s surreal, alien atmosphere

Continuing on, the tour heads towards more iconic Arches landmarks, inviting travelers to uncover the park’s diverse natural wonders at their own pace.

Cove of Caves and Panorama Point

As the tour progresses, visitors encounter the Cove of Caves, a series of eroded alcoves that provide a unique perspective on the park’s geologic history.

Nearby, Panorama Point offers sweeping vistas of the expansive desert landscape, allowing travelers to fully appreciate the sheer scale and grandeur of Arches National Park.

From these viewpoints, the towering rock formations and sculpted sandstone cliffs come into sharp focus, showcasing the incredible power of wind and water that have shaped this otherworldly terrain over millions of years.

Guests can take their time exploring these areas, snapping photos and soaking in the breathtaking panoramas that stretch out in every direction.

Delicate Arch and Salt Valley

The driving tour next takes visitors to the iconic Delicate Arch, one of the most recognized and photographed natural landmarks in Arches National Park. Towering at over 60 feet tall, the delicate, freestanding arch stands as a testament to the park’s awe-inspiring geological formations.

From the Delicate Arch viewpoint, travelers can gaze upon the dramatic sandstone arch set against the backdrop of the sprawling Salt Valley, a striking contrast of colors and textures.

Key highlights in the Salt Valley include:

1. Traversing the winding dirt roads that reveal stunning vistas of the valley’s salt flats and domes.
2. Spotting wildlife like lizards, rabbits, and birds thriving in the harsh, arid environment.
3. Exploring the remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville, which once covered the valley floor.
4. Witnessing the dramatic play of light and shadow across the valley’s unique geological formations.

Fiery Furnace and Sand Dune Arch

Continuing the driving tour, visitors venture into the captivating Fiery Furnace, a maze-like labyrinth of towering sandstone walls and narrow crevices carved by erosion over millennia. This geological wonder requires a permit to explore, ensuring safety and preservation. Nearby, the Sand Dune Arch beckons with its soft, sculpted sandstone and serene atmosphere. Visitors can stroll through the picturesque arch and even spot small lizards scurrying across the dunes.

Fiery Furnace	Sand Dune Arch
Maze-like labyrinth	Soft, sculpted sandstone
Towering sandstone walls	Serene atmosphere
Narrow crevices	Picturesque arch
Permit required	Lizards spotted

Recap

The Arches National Park Driving Tour offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to witness the park’s iconic geological marvels.

From the renowned Delicate Arch to the awe-inspiring Landscape Arch, the tour showcases the dramatic landscapes sculpted by nature over millennia.

Whether it’s the Moab Fault Overlook or the Petrified Dunes, the experience promises to leave a lasting impression on all who embark on this unforgettable journey through Arches National Park.

You can check availability for your dates here: