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The Outdoor Forum
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Although Arches receives very little rainfall each year, water is primarily responsible for creating the geologic features of the park. Hundreds of feet of salt were left in this area 300 million years ago by seas that repeatedly advanced and retreated. Pressure from overlying rock forced the salt to flow and push upward, cracking the overlying rock. When water reached the salt it washed it away and the rock above collapsed. Eventually erosion of the rock along the edge of these depressions widened and fins formed. Fins are thin slabs of vertical rock. Erosion pierces the weak sandstone in the base of some fins and the arch begins to form. Water, freezing and expanding, continues removing the soft stone until it reaches the harder slick rock. Openings greater than 3 feet are considered arches. How to Get There Arches is located 25 miles south of Interstate 70 or 5 miles north of Moab, Utah on U.S. Highway 191. Its only entrance is at the south end of the park. Follow this link for a list of places to stay around the parks.
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