Page 147 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Southwest USA & National Parks

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VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Road map: 2C. n Arches Visitor
Center (435) 719-2299. Open
Apr–Oct: 7am–7pm daily;
Nov–Mar: 9am–4pm daily.
& 7 campground, Park Ave.
Viewpoint, Delicate Arch
Viewpoint Trail, and Balanced
Rock Trail. 8 = 
∑ nps.gov/arch
Delicate Arch
The most celebrated of all the
arches here, and a state symbol,
Delicate Arch appears on many Arches are formed through a
Utah license plates. It is reached process that takes millions of
by a moderate 45-minute walk years; today’s arches continue Western-style, timber-clad gift store on
over sandstone. to slowly erode and will Main Street, Moab
event ually collapse.
2 Moab
Road map 2C. * 5,300. n Main and
Center sts. (435) 259-8825. Open mid-
Mar–Oct: 8am–7pm Mon–Sat, 9am–
6pm Sun; Nov–mid-Mar: 9am–5pm
daily. ∑ discovermoab.com
A town of dramatic ups and
downs, Moab is once again
growing. It is lively and has
good facilities. In 1952 a local
prospector discovered the first
of several major uranium dep-
osits outside town. Overnight,
Moab became one of the
wealthiest communities in
America. When the uranium
market declined in the 1970s,
Balanced Rock the town was saved by tourism
This precariously balanced and its proximity to Arches and
boulder atop a sandstone spire is Canyonlands national parks.
one of the park’s landmarks. Good Today, Moab is one of the top
views are available from the trail destinations for lovers of the
as well as the scenic road route. outdoors. Mountain bikers
come here to experience the
famous Slick Rock Trail. They
also come for the challenging
ride to Moab Rim, a strenuous
journey that entails a trek of
about 10 miles (16 km). There is
also a vast choice of hiking and
Key 4WD routes taking in some of
this region’s fabulous landscapes.
Highway
Matheson Wetlands
Unpaved road
Preserve off Kane Creek Blvd
4WD only has 2 miles (3 km) of hiking
Hiking trail trails along a riverside wetland
that is home to birds and
wildlife. Moab is also a center
for whitewater rafting on the
Colorado River.
Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers
The large, rock monoliths known as Courthouse Towers bear an O Matheson Wetlands Preserve
uncanny resemblance to city skyscrapers. They can be seen from Park Off Kane Creek Blvd. Tel (435) 259-
Avenue, an easy, short trail. 4629. Open dawn–dusk daily. &
For hotels and restaurants see pp240–41 and pp254–6

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