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Arches Park Avenue

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation: 4197 - 4550 feet
Cellphone: 2-5 bars
Time: 4 hrs. 30 mins.
Trailhead: Park Avenue
Fee: $10 individual, $25/vehicle, $50/annual pass
Attractions: Scenic geology, wheelchair accessible to viewpoint




The Park Avenue trail is located within Arches National Park just north of Moab, Utah. Park Avenue is one of the first attractions that appears after entering the park. Park Avenue is aptly named with its towering cliffs and monoliths that form walls on either side much like the canyon boulevard in New York City. The trail follows the drainage downhill for about 1 mile to the Courthouse Towers Viewpoint. The trail can be hiked out and back for a total distance of 2 miles or with the aid of a shuttle vehicle in one-way only.



The first section of the trail from the parking area to the Park Avenue Viewpoint is paved and wheelchair accessible.


Even the viewpoint is dwarfed by the towering cliffs on either side of the valley.


Carefully placed slabs of rock form a set of stairs that lead down from the viewpoint to the canyon floor.


The trail becomes more primitive at the bottom but it is very easy to follow.


One can imagine from looking at the high fin wall that it may have had an arch or two gracing its expanse sometime in the past.


The lower part of the trail is along the exposed slick rock that forms the base of the canyon.


This monolithic formation is named The Organ. It stands across the road from Park Avenue at the Courthouse Towers Viewpoint.


Across the valley to the west is The Three Gossips. It looks like they have been chatting it up for quite some time.


This picture is zoomed in a circular arch that is in the western wall of one of Park Avenue's cliffs.


These Firecracker Penstemons are an example of the wildflowers growing in the canyon which include Rough Mule's Ears, Perky Sues, Astragalus, Cryptantha and others.


If you are a little out of shape the biggest chore will be climbing back up the stairs to the parking area. It's not really that far and there are places where you can stop and rest.  This hike is short but on a hot summer day you will still need plenty of water and maybe a snack. There are plenty of places to pull up a rock and take a load off. The majesty of the Park Avenue trail is sure to leave you in awe. If you would like to see it for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.