Although there is no federally designated wilderness within Arches National Park, most of the park is recommended wilderness. According to National Park Service Wilderness Management Policies, recommended wilderness is managed as designated until it is either officially designated, or removed from consideration, both of which require an Act of Congress. In close proximityThe nearby town of Moab is a major tourist destination and serves as a hub for a wide range of recreational activities in the surrounding region - including those at Arches National Park. Developed areas, including trails and overlooks, can become extremely crowded during the busy seasons. Since 2010, the park has received more that 1 million visitors each year. The park's high season for visitation is from March to October, but visitors can be seen during all months of the year. Backcountry vs. wildernessArches has both backcountry and wilderness, but how are they different? Sometimes these words are used interchangeably, but there are distinct differences. As stated in the 1988 Backcountry Management Plan, all lands and waters within the boundaries of Arches National Park will be considered as backcountry with the exception of highly-developed trail systems (i.e. The Windows, Park Avenue, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, etc.) that originate from two-wheel-drive roads or overlooks, and two-wheel-drive corridors designated for general use by all categories of passenger vehicles. Four-wheel-drive roads such as Salt Valley, Cache Valley, and Willow Springs are included within the backcountry definition. Wilderness characterArches National Park recommended wilderness contains distinctive landscapes that are products of multiple geologic processes including salt tectonics, sedimentation, folding and faulting, erosion, and salt dissolution operating over hundreds of millions of years. Diverse geologic formations, landforms, and soils shape patterns in the distribution and abundance of plants and animals. Plants and animals of the park experience extreme variations in temperature and moisture, as well as very intense sunlight. Notable wildlife includes mule deer, coyotes, kit foxes, raptors such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and burrowing owls, desert bighorn sheep, and the seldom seen bobcat and mountain lion. Cultural resources in the park span at least 13,000 years of human occupation and activity. Historic resources include those left by explorers, miners, ranchers and the Civilian Conservation Corps. There are six sites in Arches National Park that have been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, including a segment of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail. Experiencing wildernessEven if a visitor never sets foot in the wilderness, exposure to the sights and sounds of this spectacular landscape are nonetheless valuable. For those who do immerse themselves in this remote and rugged environment, the recommended wilderness offers a variety of different opportunities for solitude and self-discovery. |
Last updated: April 16, 2024