Just when we thought we’d seen every type of landscape this world has to offer, we visit a new national park and get our socks knocked off. There’s no better fitting word for Arches National Park than otherworldly. The small road that leads up to the top of the park drops you off on what seems MUST be another planet.

Two kids leaning on a wooden fence in front of the Balanced Rock formation at Arches National Park
The grey skies in the photos are deceiving because it was still almost 100 degrees the day we visited.
Paved road curving through the desert toward red rock arches at Arches National Park
Two visitors standing beneath a massive sandstone arch at Arches National Park
The arches vary in size, some dwarfing park visitors.
Large sandstone formation with a small natural arch window at its base in Arches National Park
A giant arch forming beside a small window in the sandstone.
Red sandstone fins and arches at Arches National Park under a cloudy sky
View from the trail toward Delicate Arch rising off the sandstone dome at Arches National Park
The famous Delicate Arch with a stream of tourists approaching. Delicate Arch was originally named Cowboy Arch because it resembles a pair of chaps. Unfortunately, there was a mixup with the paperwork when filing the names and the accidental name swap stuck.
Child standing beneath a tall balanced sandstone rock formation at Arches National Park
Long slender natural arch spanning a gap in the sandstone at Arches National Park
Hiking trail winding between towering sandstone walls at Arches National Park