This is the fifth post in my series about our trip last year to Utah. If you missed the other posts, click here to start.

On a cool day last January, Mart and I sat down to a delicious, hearty meal of soup and salad with our friends, Jan and Dirck. She had invited us to come over so we could talk about our trip to Utah that September. They’d visited Utah several times, and their adult son, who was also at lunch, had even lived there for a few years. Mart had already done some research for the trip, but we wanted their perspective and advice on which features to see in which parks.

Although we talked about all the places on our itinerary, what I remember most from that lunch was our discussion about Arches National Park. Which, at that point, I had barely heard of. Our friends absolutely loved Arches. They told us what to do and see, encouraged us to get our reservations early, and urged us to be there for the sunset in the park.

Bundling up against the January cold to head home, our September trip seemed so far—too far!—away. We kept our friends’ advice firmly in mind as we made a list and a plan (okay, Mart did) for Utah.

Of course the cliche is true—time flies—and suddenly it was September and the middle of our vacation. Earlier in the week, Mart, our daughter, and I visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon as well as Bryce Canyon and Zion Canyon. Next up? We would drive from Kanab to our rental house in Moab and then head to Arches. I couldn’t wait to get there.

The National Park Service website calls Arches a “red rock wonderland.” It has “over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks.” An arch is a natural opening through a wall or rock fin (a thin wall). Windows are arches that are often larger and higher up on a rock face than other arches. Windows sometimes frame a scenic view (like the Angels Window we saw at the Grand Canyon).

The setting sun lights up the top of this rock wall.

Our friend Jan had told us we’d need a reservation to get into Arches. During certain months of the year, you need to get a timed ticket for entry in advance for between the hours of 7 am to 4 pm. You’ll also need to pay an entrance fee. Let me assure you that it’s well worth it.

Why does the park require timed entry? Over a ten-year period, the number of yearly visitors increased from 1 million to 1.8 million people. As a result, traffic, parking shortages, safety hazards, and overcrowding increased and visitor satisfaction decreased. There was also a negative impact on the park’s resources. The timed entry system allows the park to pace the number of visitors who enjoy the park during the busiest time of day, 7 am-4 pm.

On the day of our visit, we decided to wait until late afternoon to go to the park because we wanted to stay for the sunset. So, we packed up a picnic and head to Arches, just about 30 minutes from our rental in Moab.

As we drove through the park, I couldn’t believe the number of arches and windows and other features we saw from the car. We stopped at many of the lookouts, including Balanced Rock, the North and South Windows, and Turret Arch.

We were so pleased that the park and parking lots weren’t crowded. We’d already learned from experience that most people don’t travel during Labor Day week. We felt like we’d truly hit the jackpot.

South Window, just around the bend from North Window.

Around 8:00 pm, we drove to Panorama Point, snagged a picnic table under a small pavilion, and ate our sandwiches. Soon, more people drove up or hiked in. We all settled in for the sunset.

Turret Arch. The window shape reminds me of Africa.

It was a clear evening. The colors of the sunset bathed the rocks and the people all around us. There at Panorama Point, we had a stunning 360-degree view of the park and the setting sun, with orange on the horizon, charcoal gray in the clouds, and ombre blue in the sky.

Afterward, all three of us decided to come back and wander more in the park.

The next evening, after a day in Canyonlands (my next blog post!), we ate an early dinner before coming to Arches around 6:00. This time, we would stay past the sunset to watch the stars come out.

We visited areas we hadn’t seen the night before, including the famous Delicate Arch. Perched high up on a rise, it was so far away that we could barely see it, much less get a good photo. But a kind man with a very expensive camera lens took pity on us and allowed us a peek. No wonder it’s famous! It’s the largest free-standing arch in the park. Not only has it become the symbol of Utah but it’s also well-known around the world. You can see it here.

We drove back up to Panorama Point. Concrete benches arranged in a grouping provided seating for the star show above, once darkness had fallen. Although sometimes rangers guide the stargazing sessions, no rangers were scheduled that evening, so we were on our own.

Arches is certified an official International Dark Sky Park, which means the star show above it is well-known to be spectacular.

Living in the city, I don’t think I’ve ever actually done stargazing in the absolute dark. I was excited for the opportunity.

Soon, the stars began to appear, one by one. How bright they were and close they seemed.

Our daughter started counting them as they appeared, but after a while, I lost track. All of a sudden, the sky was full of them. The stars’ twinkling and glimmering was magical. We picked out the Big and Little Dipper and other constellations, many of which I’d never seen.

As jaw-dropping as it all was, I gasped when I saw the Milky Way and could not stop staring. To see what I had studied as a kid and marveled over in books? Wow. Its beauty was absolutely spectacular, other-worldly (pun intended), and incomprehensible. It stunned me.

What treasures it must hold. What mysteries it enfolds.

There seemed to be a palpable sense of wonder in the air around us as people spoke quietly or not at all.

Staring at the sky and reflecting on our trip so far, I wanted to pinch myself. How amazing it was that I got to see these wonders and to share them with my loved ones. Full of gratitude, I whispered a prayer of thanks to God for the beauty of His creation—and the eyes and heart to experience it.

To see professional photos of the star show, click here.

Have you visited any of these parks in Utah? What has been the most breathtaking place you’ve ever been? I would love to know! Leave a comment below.

If you missed the other posts in my series on Utah, click here and here and here.

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