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ARCHES NATIONAL PARK — Compiling a list of America's prettiest national parks is no small task. Even if limiting yourself to the winter season and excluding all national monuments and recreation and wilderness areas, you're still left with 59 spectacular contenders including the likes of Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone — considered America's three "crown jewels."
Who could accurately rank even these three, much less the top 20? Well, The Wilderness Society had a go at it and it was one of Utah's jewels that came out on top.
Three of Utah's five national parks made it into the top 10, starting with their tenth place choice, Zion National Park. Utah's hoodoo wonderland, Bryce Canyon National Park, came in third. But it was Utah's second smallest national park — Arches — that claimed top honors.
The Wilderness Society is in good company. Arches and Utah's other national parks continue to be listed as some of the best national park experiences in the U.S. by media and outdoor groups.
But what is it about Arches National Park that compelled The Wilderness Society to place it at the top of their winter list, above even Washington's glacier capped Mt. Rainier National Park?
It might be the hypnotic contrast between the iconic natural stone sculptures and winter's snow. It could be the Arches' idyllic backdrop; the towering La Sal Mountains. Perhaps it's winter's small crowds and solitude, both of which are so hard to come by during the crowded busy season, that allow the landscape to really shine. Maybe it's the location. Arches is afterall located at the heart of one of the continent's premiere outdoor wonderlands.
In all likelihood, it's probably all of the above and so much more. There is something very special and very unique about Arches National Park. Whatever it is, it has elevated this small park in Utah's red rock desert to a place of honor among America's crown jewels.
What do you think? Does Arches deserve to be named the prettiest national park in winter or would you have picked another? Let us know on the comments.
Mike Godfrey is a graduate of BYU and along with his wife Michelle, the owner/manager of At Home in Wild Spaces an outdoor recreation website, blog and community, dedicated to sharing National Parks, Wilderness Areas, Hiking/Biking Trails, and more.
