First glance at this extremely thin ribbon of rock, some may think it's the famous icon of Arches National Park, Delicate Arch. Found in the Devils Garden Section, this is Landscape Arch, the longest rock span in the park, measuring a fraction over 290 feet. Composed of Entrada sandstone, Landscape Arch may also hold the record of the longest span in the world. But, like any other records, it may not last. Over the last ten years on several occasions massive sections of this natural rock arch have peeled away, creating quite a stirring story. With visitor safety in mind, park officials quickly closed the pathway under this thinning six foot arch. Here in the park, collapsing arches isn’t something new. Sometime during the night of August 4, 2008, the 71 foot long Wall Arch collapsed, giving park visitors some insight on the life cycle of an arch. The most recent arch casualty, the Ephemeral Arch, fell during the week of May 23, 2010, in the the Valley of Fire, Nevada.
     For those filled with the spirit of adventure, hikers may find the park’s largest concentration of these rock wonders in the Devils Garden. Taking in the entire Devils Garden Trail leads to a cluster of the park’s most prominent arches, including the spectacular Double O Arch. Returning over the Fin Canyon Trail, adding the challenge of a more rigorous hike, puts arch hunters on a quest for a series of well hidden spans, such as Private, Crystal and Hidden arches.
     Although this Utah park holds at least 1900 arches, there are about 100 that are classified as significant. The Devils Garden Campground offers a great opportunity to enjoy the park’s backcountry, and an opportunity to witness this collection of magnificent natural wonders. Photographers dream of the chance to see these rock landmarks in the fleeting light of day, adding more color to the rich earth hues found throughout the park. The park’s dark sky and frequent star parties are a few more delights for those that stay overnight.