Jeff Goulden Arches National Park Pictures, Images and Stock Photos

Landscape Arch is a 306 foot span of sandstone that has slowly been eroding away for centuries. On September 1, 1991 a 60 foot long slab of the rock peeled away, leaving 180 tons of rock debris below the arch. Landscape Arch is in the Devil's Garden area of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. The rock fin in the center right of this picture appears to be shaped like a dinosaur roaming between the other rock formations. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Arches National Park, Utah, USA - May 16, 2012: This young man is hiking the narrow trail to Delicate Arch in the evening.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Tunnel Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Arches usually form slowly, but sometimes large changes happen suddenly. In 1940, a boulder fell out of Skyline Arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening. The arch now has a span of 71 feet and a height of almost 34 feet. Skyline Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Arches usually form slowly, but sometimes large changes happen suddenly. In 1940, a boulder fell out of Skyline Arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening. The arch now has a span of 71 feet and a height of almost 34 feet. Skyline Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins is near Skyline Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins surrounds Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Tunnel Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins surrounds Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins is near Skyline Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Tunnel Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Arches usually form slowly, but sometimes large changes happen suddenly. In 1940, a boulder fell out of Skyline Arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening. The arch now has a span of 71 feet and a height of almost 34 feet. Skyline Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Pine Tree Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins surrounds Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins surrounds Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Pine Tree Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. This series of fins surrounds Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Arches usually form slowly, but sometimes large changes happen suddenly. In 1940, a boulder fell out of Skyline Arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening. The arch now has a span of 71 feet and a height of almost 34 feet. Skyline Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Arches usually form slowly, but sometimes large changes happen suddenly. In 1940, a boulder fell out of Skyline Arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening. The arch now has a span of 71 feet and a height of almost 34 feet. Skyline Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. Pine Tree Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Devil's Garden is an area of uncommon beauty featuring natural sandstone arches, walls and rock fins. The rock fin in the center right of this picture appears to be shaped like a dinosaur roaming between the other rock formations. Devil's Garden is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Hoodoos start with an initial deposition of rock. Then over time the rock is uplifted then eroded and weathered. Hoodoos typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the weather. Hoodoos generally form within sedimentary rock such as sandstone. These hoodoos were photographed from The Windows in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Arches National Park, Utah, USA - May 16, 2012: This couple is hiking on the Park Avenue Trail.

Hoodoos start with an initial deposition of rock. Then over time the rock is uplifted then eroded and weathered. Hoodoos typically consist of relatively soft rock topped by harder, less easily eroded stone that protects each column from the weather. Hoodoos generally form within sedimentary rock such as sandstone. These hoodoos were photographed from The Rock Pinnacles in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The rock art at Wolfe Ranch depicts very recognizable human and animal hunting scenes. The horse and hunter surrounded by bighorn sheep and dog-like animals is typical of Ute or Paiute rock art created between AD 1650 and 1850. Wolfe Ranch is located near the Delicate Arch Trail in Arches National Park, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The Petrified Dunes were not formed from organic material, like wood, so they are not actually petrified in the same manner as petrified wood. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest blew across this area carrying fine grained sand and creating an immense desert. Over time the sand was covered by other layers of sediment which was compressed and cemented by quartz into Navajo Sandstone. Erosion has since washed away overlying layers, exposing the original dunes which are now hardened. The Petrified Dunes and Sailing Ship Rock were photographed in the evening light from the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The Petrified Dunes were not formed from organic material, like wood, so they are not actually petrified in the same manner as petrified wood. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest blew across this area carrying fine grained sand and creating an immense desert. Over time the sand was covered by other layers of sediment which was compressed and cemented by quartz into Navajo Sandstone. Erosion has since washed away overlying layers, exposing the original dunes which are now hardened. The Petrified Dunes were photographed in the evening light from the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The Petrified Dunes were not formed from organic material, like wood, so they are not actually petrified in the same manner as petrified wood. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest blew across this area carrying fine grained sand and creating an immense desert. Over time the sand was covered by other layers of sediment which was compressed and cemented by quartz into Navajo Sandstone. Erosion has since washed away overlying layers, exposing the original dunes which are now hardened. The Petrified Dunes and Sailing Ship Rock were photographed in the evening light from the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The Petrified Dunes were not formed from organic material, like wood, so they are not actually petrified in the same manner as petrified wood. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest blew across this area carrying fine grained sand and creating an immense desert. Over time the sand was covered by other layers of sediment which was compressed and cemented by quartz into Navajo Sandstone. Erosion has since washed away overlying layers, exposing the original dunes which are now hardened. The Petrified Dunes were photographed in the evening light from the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

The Petrified Dunes were not formed from organic material, like wood, so they are not actually petrified in the same manner as petrified wood. Some 200 million years ago, winds from the northwest blew across this area carrying fine grained sand and creating an immense desert. Over time the sand was covered by other layers of sediment which was compressed and cemented by quartz into Navajo Sandstone. Erosion has since washed away overlying layers, exposing the original dunes which are now hardened. The Petrified Dunes were photographed in the evening light from the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Water shapes the landscape of the Colorado Plateau more than any other force. Rain erodes the sandstone and carries sediment down washes and canyons to the Colorado River. The sandstone forms rock fins that stick out of the surrounding landscape. A fin is a geologic formation that is a narrow, residual wall of hard sedimentary rock that remains standing after surrounding rock has been eroded away along parallel joints or fractures. Eventually the fins can become arches. The sheer walls, fins and sandstone monoliths of the Park Avenue Canyon reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street. Thus, the name Park Avenue. This scene of the canyon was photographed from the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Park Avenue is a trail along the bottom of a canyon in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. The trail is one of the major attractions within the national park. The trail is one mile long and it approaches the bottom of some of the park’s gigantic and well-known monoliths.

Arches National Park, Utah, USA - May 16, 2012: These people are dwarfed by the size of Balanced Rock.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.

Fiery Furnace is a maze with long rows of fins and canyons. This is an environment of sheer walls, exposed cliffs and narrow passages. Within this maze there are many rare plants and fragile soils. For these reasons, hiking within the area is either ranger-led or by special permit. Fiery Furnace is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Salt Valley lies above an underground layer of salt which is the main cause of the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. This salt bed is thousands of feet thick in places, and was deposited in the Paradox Basin of the Colorado Plateau some 300 million years ago. Salt Valley is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Fiery Furnace is a maze with long rows of fins and canyons. This is an environment of sheer walls, exposed cliffs and narrow passages. Within this maze there are many rare plants and fragile soils. For these reasons, hiking within the area is either ranger-led or by special permit. Fiery Furnace is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Salt Valley lies above an underground layer of salt which is the main cause of the formation of the arches, spires, balanced rocks, sandstone fins, and eroded monoliths. This salt bed is thousands of feet thick in places, and was deposited in the Paradox Basin of the Colorado Plateau some 300 million years ago. Salt Valley is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Sand Dune Arch is unusual in that it is nestled among a group of sandstone rock fins. This indicates that these sandstone rock fins wear down over time and eventually may form arches. Sand Dune Arch is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Fiery Furnace is a maze with long rows of fins and canyons. This is an environment of sheer walls, exposed cliffs and narrow passages. Within this maze there are many rare plants and fragile soils. For these reasons, hiking within the area is either ranger-led or by special permit. Fiery Furnace is in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.

Delicate Arch is a 65-foot (20 m) tall Entrada Sandstone arch located in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah, USA. It is the most iconic landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah state license plates and on a postage stamp commemorating Utah's centennial anniversary of statehood in 1996.