Arches NP or Canyonlands NP? One day next week I will have about 12 hours to photograph either in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park. Any suggestions?

DenniStar

One day next week I will have about 12 hours to photograph either in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park.

Any suggestions?

slickrock Loc: jacksonville

DenniStar wrote:

One day next week I will have about 12 hours to photograph either in Arches National Park or Canyonlands National Park.

Any suggestions?

Tough choice. Arches is more 'condensed' with many unique and iconic forms. In Arches the walk to Delicate arch is a must.
Canyonlands is vast with many off-road opportunities and grand vistas. Light pollution is a non existent.
If I had only one day-Arches.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

I have been to the North Canyonlands and not the South.
Big vote for Arches!!!
If you want to hike up to Delicate Arch, go early am, take plenty of water and allow a couple of hours.
You can shoot Delicate Arch from the bottom, also.
You can check my post and search on the forum.
Post images!!!
Pat

DenniStar

slickrock wrote:

Tough choice. Arches is more 'condensed' with many unique and iconic forms. In Arches the walk to Delicate arch is a must.
Canyonlands is vast with many off-road opportunities and grand vistas. Light pollution is a non existent.
If I had only one day-Arches.

Thanks!

DenniStar

Jay Pat wrote:

I have been to the North Canyonlands and not the South.
Big vote for Arches!!!
If you want to hike up to Delicate Arch, go early am, take plenty of water and allow a couple of hours.
You can shoot Delicate Arch from the bottom, also.
You can check my post and search on the forum.
Post images!!!
Pat

Thanks! And I will post some photos.

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

Only having 12 hours in the Moab area simply "sucks"! But it is better than zero hours! I will assure you that after 12 hours, you'll be itching to get back there for an extended stay.

Given your limitations, Arches may be the best bet. The entrance is just on the edge of town. As was mentioned, it is a more "condensed" area than Canyonlands, with more photo ops close to each other. You can get a lot of great shots without lots of timely driving from point to point.

However, if you do decide to go north a bit to Canyonlands: Island in the Sky District you can get some great vistas from Deadhorse Point and the Green River Overlook. Then take about 3-4 hours to do the hike to "The False Kiva" (see below). You can get directions in Volume 1 of "Photographing the Southwest: Southern Utah" by Laurant Martres. You can get the Rangers to tell you, but you must ask about it by name. It is not on any of the park maps, but it truly worth the visit.

The False Kiva

DenniStar

Photographer Jim wrote:

Only having 12 hours in the Moab area simply "... (show quote)

Thanks Jim! You just made my choice more difficult. :lol:

BTW, I took a moment to look at your website. You shoot some nice photographs.

FredB Loc: A little below the Mason-Dixon line.

12 hours in Arches is nowhere near enough to do the park justice, but you can do a lot. The North Canyonlands area (Green River Overlook, Island in the Sky) is worth a couple of hours at least. I do not know the south part of the park. Dead Horse Point SP is also just a quick drive away from CNP. Last year we did DHP and CNP in a long, cloudy afternoon, and then spend the next entire day in Arches. Hiked only to Landscape Arch, Delicate was a bit too far for my health at the time, and it was over 105'.

But 12 hours in Arches is like being able to only listen to 20 minutes of Beethoven's Ninth.

Canyonlands

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

DenniStar wrote:

Thanks Jim! You just made my choice more difficult. :lol:

BTW, I took a moment to look at your website. You shoot some nice photographs.

LOL, not my intent, but I don't envy trying to make that choice! As I said, you'll be itching to get back to that area again, for sure.

Just to complicate things more :twisted: , there are some very nice shots to be had if you take 128 at the north end of town. It parallels the Colorado River for awhile and takes you out to Castle Valley and Fisher Tower. Fisher Tower makes a really nice sunset shot, and it is only about 20 to 25 minutes out of town.

And thank you for the compliment. It is much appreciated.

DenniStar

FredB wrote:

12 hours in Arches is nowhere near enough to do th... (show quote)

Fred, this is the first time I've been and unfortunately time is limited (this time :wink: ) I was thinking it might be a good idea to take the short drive to DHP. Thanks for your input.

brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia

Just go and do it!!!

seamus Loc: Ireland but living in France

I've been to both earlier this year, and my vote is strongly for Arches. Some of the most spectacular formations are not actually arches, IMHO.

Add Loc: S.W.Florida

Go with Arches,but both are great.

mainshipper Loc: Hernando, Florida

I can't believe no one mentioned Mesa Arch which is in Canyonlands (45 minutes north of Moab) and is one of the most photographed spots in the area. With only 12 hours you definitely have limitations.

Mesa Arch at sunrise

Very popular spot early in the morning

DenniStar

brokeweb wrote:

Just go and do it!!!

:thumbup: