Travel: Packing for Arches National Park, Utah
The boyfriend and I took a trip to Utah to visit Arches National Park. We also added Canyonlands National Park and a short stay in Salt Lake City. Here’s what we learned on our adventures.
Part of a series: (links to go live as they get posted)
- Packing
- Getting to
- Moab, Utah
- Silver Sage Inn
- Arches Tips and Trails, part 1
- Arches Tips and Trails, part 2
- Canyonlands Tips and Trails
- Salt Lake City, part 1
- Salt Lake City, part 2
Our trip was in the early part of May. I honestly cannot even imagine this trip in the dead of summer.
As a city girl, I was quite excited that my REI gear was actually going to meet the great outdoors. Here’s what worked for me:
Car: A car is needed to tour the area. It’s not only necessary to get to the parks, but the parks themselves are so large, you’ll need a car to just to get around inside them. Contrary to popular belief, a massive four-wheel-drive vehicle is not required. In fact, given the hundreds of miles you’ll put on the car, something a bit more gas efficient may be preferable. It all depends on what types of activities you’ll want to pursue of course.
Shoes: The area is mountainous and all about rocks. You’ll need shoes that fit and will grip. Hiking boots are an option, but I think the extra weight is not worth it. Even the trails marked “easy” are not like a stroll down the sidewalk.
Athletic shoes are better but it is an area of eroding sandstone. Certain areas are covered by several inches of sand. They feel like beaches. The sand will get into any closed shoes. You’ll have to empty them regularly.
I wore my Keens
Clothing: The traditional wisdom of layering is the way to go. The temperature ranged from the 40s at night and in the mornings to the 80s in the afternoon. Plus, there is this constant wind that can drastically change the feel of the day.
Lightweight, long-sleeved clothing can help against the sand that blow around in this wind. It can rub your skin raw. After the first day, I was feeling more wind-fatigued than activity-tired.
There are also those biting black flies that come out closer to sundown. I think they get worse as the weather gets warmer so I’m glad we didn’t have to fend those off.
The park is a lot of bare rock so it helps if your clothing is abrasion resistant. If you try some of the harder trails, you’ll be scrambling some of the time.
Hat, sunblock, and sunglasses: There’s not much shade in the park, especially on the trails. Get a hat that doesn’t blow off in windy conditions.
Extra socks and underwear: Leave these in the car. If you soak through either of these on a hike, you’ll be so thankful to arrive back to extras.
Cooler: There is no food available inside the park. You’ll have to pack it in.
Water bottles: There are two water sources inside the park. Always make sure that you have enough. Keep a large reserve in the car and keep refilling your portable containers.