Moab, UT: Arches National Park

Moab, UT: Arches National Park

Take a roll through Arches National Park to see its namesake rock formations by bike on this 50-mile out-and-back.

Author:	Angela W.
Date:	30 Apr 2008 5:06:49 PM
Activity:	Bicycling ActivitySearchBicycling
State:	Utah (UT)
Distance:	50.33 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 5277 ft Total Loss: 5272 ft Net Change: 6 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Arches National Park, Moab, Utah
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

Seeing the spectacular rock in Arches National Park by bicycle will make you wonder why anyone would bother to drive the park road. Dawdle at viewpoints overlooking arches and impossibly balanced boulders, and enjoy miles of riding with little traffic and a few challenging climbs.

Tip: Ride to the park from Moab. You’ll appreciate the 5-mile warm-up when you hit the switchbacks that climb 600 feet above the entrance station.

Once you top out the switchbacks, the surreal scenery is nonstop. Around mile 10, past the Courthouse Towers, the road dips and climbs about 900 feet. There’s a similar dip and climb around mile 21, near the road to the Delicate Arch trailhead. None of the climbs on this road are monsters, but heat and dry air can intensify any Moab ride.

Don’t miss the side trip to the Windows. Unlike the spur for Delicate Arch, you’ll be able to see some of the windows from the parking lot.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Moab, UT: Arches Road Ride

Dist: 50.33 mi	Points: 1266	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Distance	Instruction		Distance to next
0.00 mi	Start	Moab. Head north on Main St./US 191	Then go 4.34 mi
4.34 mi	Turn Right	Arches National Park Rd.	Then go 3.37 mi
7.70 mi	Bear Right	Viewpoint for La Sal Mountains	Then go 0.37 mi
8.08 mi	Turn Right	Arches National Park Rd.	Then go 6.52 mi
14.60 mi	Turn Right	Windows section	Then go 4.83 mi
19.43 mi	Turn Right	Arches National Park Rd.	Then go 7.26 mi
26.69 mi	Bear Right	Devils Garden	Then go 2.31 mi
29.00 mi	Bear Left	Return on same route	Then go 17.15 mi
46.15 mi	Turn Left	US 191	Then go 0.52 mi
46.67 mi	Bear Left	Bike path	Then go 0.79 mi
47.46 mi	Bear Left	Rejoin US 191	Then go 2.87 mi
50.33 mi	Stop	Downtown Moab

Points of Interest

Park Entrance

Location: 38.610265°, -109.606519°
A cyclist rides toward the entrance of Arches National Park.

Slickrock Trailhead

Location: 38.582090°, -109.519315°
If you've had it with pedaling, rent a motorcycle and head out on one of Moab's many trails for motorized vehicles.

Balanced Rock

Location: 38.701722°, -109.566479°
Jimbo pauses in front of Balanced Rock with the Windows area in the background.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge

Location: 38.593864°, -109.508801°
Don't forget Moab's canyoneering options. This is the rappel down Epinephrine Grotto and Morning Glory Natural Bridge.

Slickrock Trailhead

Location: 38.582090°, -109.519315°
Moab Mainstay: Jimbo rides the Slickrock Trail.

Devils Garden Campground

Location: 38.779781°, -109.592400°
If you need to refill your bottles, water is available at Devils Garden Campground, at the far end of the park. Fill water bottles here.

Sovereign Singletrack

Location: 38.716992°, -109.655743°
Angela rides the nearby Sovereign Singletrack. Bring two bikes to Moab to enjoy it properly.

Entrance Station

Location: 38.616837°, -109.615789°
Park entrance: It costs less to ride in than drive--and it's way more fun. Pick up a park map here.

Courthouse Towers View

Location: 38.637221°, -109.599953°
The Three Gossips stand out in the Courthouse Towers area.

View

Location: 38.661252°, -109.588280°

Fisher Towers

Location: 38.725162°, -109.303665°
Bikes aren't allowed at Fisher Towers, but it's an incredible hike.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge

Location: 38.593864°, -109.508801°
Tired of two-wheeled adventures? Probably not, but consider Moab's hiking trails, anyway. Morning Glory Natural Bridge is a 4-mile hike from Hwy. 128.