Arches National Park: Spectacular Arches & the Junior Rangers Who Have Pledged to Protect Them

IN the Parks·Allison Martin·Sep 3, 2026·29 min

Show Notes

Arches National Park in Moab, Utah, was our fifth stop in Utah's Mighty 5. We took on strenuous hikes and kid-friendly adventures! Arches has a spectacular entrance, accessible and back country hiking, a sizable nature center, and hundreds of arches. We loved spending a day and a half here! (Note: there are a TON of ravens in this park, and they will definitely come around if you have food. And even if you don't.) In this episode, you'll also learn about the Junior Ranger program and why 4th graders get in free.

We hiked: Delicate Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock, Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, The Windows, Turret Arch, and Park Avenue.

If you have a 4th grader (or will one day!), you'll want to learn about the Every Kid Outdoors program.

You are going to learn about:

  • What to Expect on the Hike to Delicate Arch
  • How Much Water to Bring
  • Why We Liked Double Arch Better
  • Our Other Favorite Arches
  • The Free Entries for 4th Graders Through the Every Kid Outdoors Program
  • How Kids Can Become Junior Rangers

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Episode Details
Show
IN the Parks
Category
Travel & Outdoors
Topic
IN the Parks
Duration
00:29:25
Published
Sep 3, 2026
About the Host
Allison Martin
Allison Martin
Host · IN the Parks

Allison Martin tells the stories behind Indiana's state parks: the best trails, the campgrounds, the history and the corners worth the drive.

View show

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

The useful details, answered clearly and without the digging.

01

Where is Arches National Park?

In Moab, Utah. It was the fifth stop on IN the Parks' Season 2 trip through Utah's Mighty 5 national parks, and Allison Martin's family spent a day and a half there.

02

Which arches does IN the Parks hike at Arches National Park?

Delicate Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock, Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, The Windows, Turret Arch and Park Avenue. The park has hundreds of arches in total, with a mix of accessible and back country hiking.

03

Is the hike to Delicate Arch hard?

It is one of the strenuous hikes the family took on at Arches. The episode walks through what to expect on the way up and how much water to bring before you start.

04

Which is better, Delicate Arch or Double Arch?

Allison and her family liked Double Arch better, and the episode explains why. Both are on the list of arches they hiked during their day and a half in the park.

05

Do 4th graders get into national parks for free?

Yes. The Every Kid Outdoors program gives 4th graders free entry, and the episode covers how it works. If you have a 4th grader, or will one day, it is worth setting up before your trip.

06

How do kids become Junior Rangers at Arches?

Through the National Park Service Junior Ranger program, which the episode explains in detail. Kids take a pledge to protect the park, which is where the episode title comes from.

07

Are there a lot of ravens at Arches National Park?

Yes, a ton of them. They will come around if you have food out, and Allison notes they show up even when you don't, so keep your snacks packed away.

08

How long is the Arches episode of IN the Parks?

29 minutes and 25 seconds. You can listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It is the Arches stop on the family's Utah Mighty 5 road trip, following the Canyonlands episode.

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