Quick Stats
Creation Date
November 12, 1971
Entrance Fee
$10 per vehicle per week
Time Zone
Mountain (GMT-6 Daylight, GMT-7 Standard)
Lowest Elevation
3,960 feet at the Colorado River
Highest Elevation
5,653 feet at Elephant Butte
Lowest Average Temp
19°F in January
Record Low Temp
-14°F in 1989
Highest Average Temp
94°F in July
Record High Temp
107°F in 1989
Park Creation Timeline
1923
Prospector Alexander Ringhoffer starts the effort for national park status by trying, and succeeding, to interest the railroads in bringing more people to see the sights.
1929
On April 12, 1929, President Herbert Hoover signs the proclamation creating Arches National Monument.
1971
On November 12, 1971, Congress passes the legislation necessary to redesignate the monument Arches National Park.
Animals and Plants
Most mammals are nocturnal, due to the extreme heat, but can be frequently seen at dawn and dusk. Mule deer are the most common large mammal. Bighorn sheep are occasionally seen, as are coyotes. Squirrels, rats, jackrabbits, bats, and cottontails are the more common smaller mammals.
Reptiles are the most common form of life in the park other than birds. Lizards found here include the northern whiptail, desert spiny, and western collared lizard. Most snakes are nocturnal and rarely seen. The midget faded rattlesnake is the only venomous snake in the park.
273 species of birds have been seen in the park, including seasonal and permanent residents. Ravens are common throughout the desert. Inyon jays, scrub jays, juniper titmice and black-throated gray warblers are common in the pinyon-juniper "forest". Turkey vultures and white-throated swifts are frequently seen as well.
Vegetation in the desert is sparse. The most common plant life includes pinyon juniper and a number of desert shrubs, such as blackbrush, greasewood, yucca, big and sand sagebrush, and prickly pear cactus.
Arches National Park
Info at (435) 719-2299
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