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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.
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| Author: | Angela W. |
| Source: |
 on my phone
|
| Activity: | Bicycling |
| State: | Utah (UT) |
| Distance: | 50.33 mi |
| Difficulty: | 7 / 10 |
| Rating: | Unrated |
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
| Distance: 50.33 mi | Points: 1266 |
| # | Distance | Instruction | Distance to next |
| 1 | 0.00 mi | Start - Moab. Head north on Main St./US 191 | Then go 4.34 mi |
| 2 | 4.34 mi | Turn Right - Arches National Park Rd. | Then go 3.37 mi |
| 3 | 7.70 mi | Bear Right - Viewpoint for La Sal Mountains | Then go 0.37 mi |
| 4 | 8.08 mi | Turn Right - Arches National Park Rd. | Then go 6.52 mi |
| 5 | 14.60 mi | Turn Right - Windows section | Then go 4.83 mi |
| 6 | 19.43 mi | Turn Right - Arches National Park Rd. | Then go 7.26 mi |
| 7 | 26.69 mi | Bear Right - Devils Garden | Then go 2.31 mi |
| 8 | 29.00 mi | Bear Left - Return on same route | Then go 17.15 mi |
| 9 | 46.15 mi | Turn Left - US 191 | Then go 0.52 mi |
| 10 | 46.67 mi | Bear Left - Bike path | Then go 0.79 mi |
| 11 | 47.46 mi | Bear Left - Rejoin US 191 | Then go 2.87 mi |
| 12 | 50.33 mi | Stop - Downtown Moab |
Points of Interest
Park Entrance
Location: 38.610265, -109.606519A cyclist rides toward the entrance of Arches National Park.
Slickrock Trailhead
Location: 38.582090, -109.519315If 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, -109.566479Jimbo pauses in front of Balanced Rock with the Windows area in the background.
Morning Glory Natural Bridge
Location: 38.593864, -109.508801Don't forget Moab's canyoneering options. This is the rappel down Epinephrine Grotto and Morning Glory Natural Bridge.
Slickrock Trailhead
Location: 38.582090, -109.519315Moab Mainstay: Jimbo rides the Slickrock Trail.
Devils Garden Campground
Location: 38.779781, -109.592400If 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, -109.655743Angela rides the nearby Sovereign Singletrack. Bring two bikes to Moab to enjoy it properly.
Entrance Station
Location: 38.616837, -109.615789Park 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, -109.599953The Three Gossips stand out in the Courthouse Towers area.
View
Location: 38.661252, -109.588280Fisher Towers
Location: 38.725162, -109.303665Bikes aren't allowed at Fisher Towers, but it's an incredible hike.
Morning Glory Natural Bridge
Location: 38.593864, -109.508801Tired 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.
View
Location: 38.731590, -109.544163Windows Area
Location: 38.687654, -109.536781Slickrock Trailhead
Location: 38.582090, -109.519315Another Moab option: Take a unimog ride on Hell's Revenge.
The Windows
Location: 38.690434, -109.575834The Windows are visible from a distance.
Climb
Location: 38.621397, -109.601154Climbing above the entrance: Ride from town if you like a warm-up before you hit the climbs.
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