Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to Arches — Fiery Furnace Route, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Utah, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Slickrock fin desert (1,500 m)
- Best season
- March – May, October – November
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Backpacking
- Hiking
- Mountaineering
- Desert Hiking
- Canyoneering
Key takeaways
- Biome: Slickrock fin desert (1,500 m)
- Best season: March – May, October – November
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
Photos of Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
Topic summary
A maze of vertical sandstone fins requiring a hard-to-get self-guided permit.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: March – May, October – November
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Slickrock fin desert (1,500 m)
Tools for a trip here
Picked for how, when and where you're going. Free, no signup.
- Sleep System Temp CalculatorCold nights: check your bag and pad add up to a safe sleep.
- Base Weight CalculatorEvery ounce is carried — total your kit and find your base weight.
- Pack Volume SizerSize the pack for your trip length and season.
- Water Purification MatrixTreat water from streams and lakes on trail.
- Layering CalculatorCold-season miles: layer for climbs and camp.
Plan with verified data
Arches — Fiery Furnace Route trip tools
How to get there
Arches National Park is in eastern Utah, adjacent to the Colorado River and 4 miles north of Moab. Confirm the specific Fiery Furnace starting point and driving directions with the National Park Service.
- Moab
Nearby town 4 miles south of Arches National Park; a regional orientation point, not a confirmed Fiery Furnace trailhead.
- Arches National Park visitor center
A named location within the park, at an elevation of 4,085 feet. It should not be treated as the Fiery Furnace route starting point without confirmation.
Sources: Wikipedia · Wikivoyage. Confirm road and trailhead conditions with the managing agency before you leave.
Popular pursuits at Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
- Mountaineering
Glacier and high-route objectives with real consequence.
- Desert Hiking
Water carries and heat management drive the plan.
- Canyoneering
Narrows, downclimbs, and flash-flood timing.
Animals around Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
Maps, GPS & compass for this trip
Carry a waterproof paper map and a compass you can steer by, and treat the GPS as the backup — not the other way round. Buying links go to Amazon; Wild10 earns a commission at no cost to you.
Waterproof topo maps
- Waterproof topographic map — Arches — Fiery Furnace RouteAmazon search for waterproof, tear-resistant topo maps covering this area.
- National Geographic Trails IllustratedThe waterproof Trails Illustrated series — check for a sheet covering this area.
- Waterproof map case & compass lanyardKeep a paper map readable in rain, spray and a swamped boat.
Fishing at Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
Planning to fish Arches — Fiery Furnace Route, Utah? Fishing licenses, open seasons and catch limits in Utah are set by the local wildlife authority and change every year — check the official source before you cast a line.
Do I need a fishing license at Arches — Fiery Furnace Route?
- A Utah fishing license is normally required for anyone over the local youth age.
- Read the current Utah fishing regulations for special waters, barbless-hook or catch-and-release rules.
- Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waters to stop invasive species.
Hunting near Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
Thinking about hunting Arches — Fiery Furnace Route, Utah? Hunting seasons, tags and draws in Utah are set by the wildlife authority each year. Confirm the rules for your species and unit before you go.
Is hunting allowed at Arches — Fiery Furnace Route?
- Confirm the land around Arches — Fiery Furnace Route is open to hunting and which management unit it falls in.
What do I need to hunt in Utah?
- A Utah hunting license — most jurisdictions also require hunter education certification.
- Species tags or draw results for big game such as deer, elk, moose or bear where they occur.
- Knowledge of firearm and bow transport rules, which differ by land type and border crossing.
Arches and the high-desert setting
Arches National Park occupies high desert on the Colorado Plateau in eastern Utah, adjacent to the Colorado River and 4 miles north of Moab. The park covers 310.31 square kilometers and contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, along with sandstone fins, balanced rocks, spires, and eroded monoliths. That broader landscape provides the setting for a Fiery Furnace trip, but park-wide facts are not a substitute for route-specific directions. Confirm the starting point, route requirements, and current access arrangements with the National Park Service before setting out. Moab is the nearby town to use for orienting travel plans. The park’s desert character should also guide preparation: carry water, plan for sun exposure, and check the weather rather than treating this as an ordinary roadside walk.
Understanding the sandstone landscape
The rock formations at Arches are tied to an underground evaporite layer, or salt bed, beneath the park. That layer is the main cause of the development of the area’s arches, sandstone fins, spires, balanced rocks, and eroded monoliths. Arches has the highest density of natural arches in the world, with Delicate Arch among its best-known formations. For trip planning, the important distinction is between understanding this geological setting and knowing how to move through a particular part of it. A description of fins and arches does not establish a navigable route, its difficulty, or its length. Obtain current route guidance before committing to the outing, and avoid assuming that a prominent named formation is an access point or a route marker.
Preparation and information to confirm
Arches receives an average of less than 10 inches of rain annually, and its elevations range from 4,085 feet at the visitor center to 5,653 feet at Elephant Butte. Those are park-wide figures, not the elevation range of this outing. Prepare for a dry, high-desert environment with drinking water, sun protection, and clothing suited to the forecast. Low annual rainfall should not replace a current weather check. Before finalizing plans, ask the National Park Service to confirm permit requirements, access instructions, and the appropriate route information for Fiery Furnace. Do not assign a distance, duration, or difficulty rating without that guidance. Keep the day’s schedule flexible enough to change plans if current conditions or access requirements do not suit the group.
Sample itineraries
- One-day Arches orientation · 1 day
Begin at the Arches National Park visitor center to confirm current access and choose an outing suited to conditions and ability. Focus on the park’s sandstone formations. Obtain route-specific guidance before committing to the Fiery Furnace.
- Two-day Moab-based visit · 2 days
Use Moab as a base. Spend the first day orienting at the visitor center and planning around current conditions. Reserve the second day for an outing confirmed with park staff, with time to appreciate Arches’ sandstone fins, spires, and natural arches.
Seasonal conditions
Spring
Check forecasts before choosing dates
Plan for changing high-desert weather rather than assuming mild conditions. Carry layers, drinking water, and sun protection; confirm route conditions with park staff.
Summer
Choose outing times around the forecast
Treat heat and sun exposure as important planning considerations in this high-desert landscape. Carry sufficient drinking water and shorten plans when conditions exceed the group’s tolerance.
Fall
Check forecasts before choosing dates
Do not assume cooler weather removes the need for water or sun protection. Pack layers and adjust plans to the day’s high-desert conditions.
Winter
Confirm conditions shortly before travel
Prepare for cold-weather exposure at the park’s elevated desert setting. Ask park staff about current footing and access before selecting an outing.
| Season | Window | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Check forecasts before choosing dates | Plan for changing high-desert weather rather than assuming mild conditions. Carry layers, drinking water, and sun protection; confirm route conditions with park staff. |
| Summer | Choose outing times around the forecast | Treat heat and sun exposure as important planning considerations in this high-desert landscape. Carry sufficient drinking water and shorten plans when conditions exceed the group’s tolerance. |
| Fall | Check forecasts before choosing dates | Do not assume cooler weather removes the need for water or sun protection. Pack layers and adjust plans to the day’s high-desert conditions. |
| Winter | Confirm conditions shortly before travel | Prepare for cold-weather exposure at the park’s elevated desert setting. Ask park staff about current footing and access before selecting an outing. |
Permits, fees & closures
Confirm Fiery Furnace permit requirements, access rules, and trip arrangements directly with the National Park Service before travel.
Confirm current permits, fees, and closures with the managing agency before you go.
Hazards & regulations
- Dehydration is a planning concern in this dry, high-desert environment; carry drinking water rather than relying on finding it.
- Sun and heat exposure warrant protective clothing and plans matched to the forecast.
- Weather exposure requires appropriate layers in this elevated desert landscape. Obtain current, route-specific hazard guidance from park staff.
What to pack for Arches — Fiery Furnace Route
- Drinking water sufficient for the planned outing
- Extra food for delays
- Sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Insulating layer
- Weather-resistant outer layer
- Sturdy outdoor footwear
- Current park information
- First-aid kit
- Charged phone
Arches — Fiery Furnace Route FAQ
- Where is Arches National Park?
- Arches is in eastern Utah, north of Moab and adjacent to the Colorado River. It occupies high desert on the Colorado Plateau.
- How should a Fiery Furnace outing be planned?
- Contact the National Park Service for route-specific access requirements, navigation guidance, physical demands, and current conditions. Confirm those details before treating it as a scheduled hike.
- What makes the landscape distinctive?
- The park contains more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, along with sandstone fins, spires, balanced rocks, and eroded monoliths. An underground salt layer has played a major role in shaping these formations.
- How dry is the park?
- Arches receives an average of less than 10 inches of rain annually. Carry drinking water and plan for a dry environment; low average rainfall does not replace checking the forecast.
- Is a route distance or duration available here?
- Confirm the Fiery Furnace route distance and expected duration with park staff. Park-wide geography alone is not enough to estimate the time or effort required.