• Double O Arch

    Arches

    National Park Utah

People

Today people visit Arches for the views and trails. Those who came before sought many other things: wealth, adventure, solitude, or a home. Learn more about a handful of characters in the human story of Arches.

 
rock art

Prehistoric People
Countless generations of native Americans crossed these sandstone landscapes.

 
cattle brands

Traders & Settlers
Others came in pursuit of pelts, ore, scientific knowledge, and good grazing lands.

 
Photo of John "Doc" Williams

Park Founders
How a local newspaper editor and a local doctor teamed up to create one of the country's most popular national parks.

 
CCC member

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Like many NPS units, Arches benefitted from the hard work of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

 
Bates Wilson

Bates Wilson
Arches was transformed by this former superintendent.

 
Edward Abbey

Edward Abbey
This author gave a voice to the desert, through not all agree with what he said.

 
Arch Hunters

Arch Hunters
Who mapped most of the park's namesake features?

  • Looking for more? Looking for more?

    Our bookstore contains many titles about the cultural history of this area. Read More

  • Bates Wilson Bates Wilson

    Learn more about Bates Wilson's legacy from our Friends organization. Read More

Did You Know?

Common Raven

The common raven displays abilities to play and problem-solve that are rare among animals. This member of the crow family is also very vocal, communicating with over a dozen sounds. Perhaps because of these qualities, ravens have achieved a certain stature in both European and Native American folklore.