D-ARCHES+NATIONAL+PARK

**Arches National Park**

media type="custom" key="5439141" Video Tour of the park
 * Park Profile **
 * [|Arches National Park] is located near [|Moab], Utah in the eastern part of the state.
 * The parks area is 119 Sq Miles
 * The climate is generally arid and the area only receives around 10 inches of rain each year.
 * Popular attractions include the world famous Delicate Arch, seen above, as well as over 2000 natural sandstone arches.
 * Visitors; about 850,000/year

media type="custom" key="5439019" Video Intro to the park

History **
 * Arches National Park was first recognized as a National Monument in 1929 when President Herbert Hoover signed a proclamation designating two separate areas as Arches National Monument. Over the next 40 years, Arches National Monument was enlarged until President Richard Nixon signed legislation enacted by congress that changed the monument's status to Arches National Park.
 * Arches National Park is a natural site, as it is home to naturally forming sandstone arches. In an effort to protect these spectacular formations, the area was designated as a National Park.
 * [|Before] the area was designated a national park, Native American Indians used the land for hunting and gathering, although they did not live there year round. There are dated recordings of European involvement in the area during the mid 1800s.

media type="youtube" key="4sA1c1WErUk" height="173" width="237" Big Horn Sheep fighting
 * Environmental Issues **
 * [|Weather] in the park varies from month to month. July is the hottest month while January is the coldest. October sees the most precipitation; although the yearly precipitation total is very low, it sometimes snows in the colder months. Temperatures in the park are usually high, with average temperatures in the 70s - 90s, and record highs peaking above 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
 * Geology - the park lies above an underground salt bed, which is the main cause of the naturally forming arches. Sandstone fins were pushed upward several million years ago, and over a long period of erosion, chunks of the sandstone fins fell out, creating the arches we see today.
 * Animals - Arches National Park is home to a host of animals, including the [|spade foot toad], scrub jay, [|peregrine falcon], sparrows, red fox, [|bighorn sheep], kangaroo rat, mule deer, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, moths, and various lizards

media type="custom" key="5439093" Video on how lichen is formed
 * Plants - There is also an abundance of plant life in the park, [|cacti], Indian rice grass, bunch [|grasses], cheat grass, [|lichen], moss, Utah juniper, black brush, salt brush, yucca, and evening primrose.


 * Natural Land Features - There are over 2000 naturally froming sandstone arches in the park, some of the more famous arches and sandstone formations are Balanced Rock, Dark Angel (free standing 150 tall sandstone pillar), Devils Garden (ridge scattered with many arches and columns), Double Arches (two arches that share a common end), Delicate Arch (lone standing arch, symbol of Utah); and Landscape Arch (a very thin arch streaching 300 feet, largest natural arch in the world).


 * Recreational Activities **
 * There are a number of [|trails] open to the public at Arches National Park. Many of the trails pass under and around the famous arches listed above. In addition to hiking, Arches National Park also offers [|camping] spots and [|mountain bike trails] to visitors. In addition there are several well marked roads where [|driving] is allowed. [|Backpacking] [|photography], and [|rock climbing] are other popular activities.


 * Arches National Park is home to some of the most spectacular natural rock formations in the world. With its awe inspiring combination of natural scenery and breathtaking views, Arches offers something that is truly unrivaled by any traditional park and tourists certainly shouldn't pass it by.

//Arches National Park - Welcome to Arches National Park//. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. . "Arches National Park (U.S. National Park Service)." //U.S. National Park Service - Experience Your America//. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. . //Google Images//. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. . //Moab Utah Tourist Information | Lodging, Biking, Rafting, National Parks, Arches, Canyonlands, Motels, RV, Campgrounds, Tours, Colorado River Raft, Mountainbike, Climbing, Film//. Web. 23 Feb. 2010. .
 * Works Cited**