Although the name of this area is Fiery Furnace Viewpoint at Arches National Park in Utah, it is not a hot place. Rather, this one of ten viewpoints in the park is named for the warm glow which is observed on the rocks during late afternoons until sunset, when the glow can resemble the flames from a fire.
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint at Arches National Park in Utah
The Fiery Furnace itself is actually a maze of cool and shady canyons between towering walls of red sandstone. The source of that red coloring is oxidized iron, which is similar to rust.
In fact, the brilliant color of most of the rocks in Arches National Park results from either the presence of iron — or the absence of iron.
The bands of white which are seen on the rocks occur two different ways:
- Where water has physically removed the iron
- When the rock is bleached through the chemical reaction which is caused by water
The perceived chaos of vertical rock walls — which are also known as fins — spires, and canyons has been called “void, silent, and almost uncanny in its solitude.”
The many fins seen here and in the Devils Garden are the result of movement deep beneath the surface of the earth eons ago. Erosion has continuously been shaping the Fiery Furnace over time from rain, snow, and ice which have deepened and widened the cracks and resulted in creating these towering fins.
Because of the aforementioned erosion, the Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of narrow canyons of sandstone which requires agility to explore. Although one route is marked, getting lost is still possible.
Over the course of millions of years, the palette of the many colors of iron — or lack of iron — have painted the landscape of Arches National Park into the work of art visitors can currently see and enjoy.
Breathtaking views of the La Sal Mountains — as well as Salt Valley and the main road in Arches National Park — are offered at the site.
Other sources of colors on rocks and stone include:
- Black, brown, or deep metallic purple streaks on the faces of rocks and stone are created by iron oxide, manganese oxide, and clay interacting with bacteria and water
- Green rocks form in shallow lakes and other environments which have little oxygen available where iron is in a reduced — or ferrous — state.
Final Boarding Call
When entering the viewpoint from the parking area, simply use the short path on the right to visit the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint of Arches National Park.
Entry into the Fiery Furnace itself is restricted to those visitors who either have a special hiking permit to explore on their own; or who have purchased tickets for a tour which is officially led by a park ranger. Both must be reserved in advance.
Arches National Park is open 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
With the exception of certain holidays during which special hours are observed, the visitor center is open between the hours of:
- 9:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon between November 27, 2022 and February 25, 2023
- 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon between February 26, 2023 and March 11, 2023
- 8:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon between March 12, 2023 and April 30, 2023
- 8:00 in the morning and 6:00 in the afternoon between May 1, 2023 and September 30, 2023
- 8:00 in the morning and 5:00 in the afternoon between October 1, 2023 and October 29, 2023
- 8:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon between October 30, 2023 and November 26, 2023
Arches National Park
Post Office Box 907
Moab, Utah 84532
435-719-2299
Credit cards are accepted.
All Weekly Passes are valid for seven days.
Weekly passes are non-transferable and are valid for seven consecutive days — including the date of purchase. Weekly passes may be upgraded to annual passes within seven days of purchase.
- Private Vehicle: $30.00. Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle with a maximum capacity of 15 passengers and all occupants.
- Motorcycle: $25.00. Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders.
- Per Person: $15.00. Admits one individual with no car. This weekly pass is typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 years of age and younger are admitted free of charge.
Please refer to the National Parks of Utah and Colorado: Itinerary and Master Guide article — which is still a work in progress — for links to other articles at The Gate With Brian Cohen which pertain to the national parks of Utah and Colorado.
All photographs ©2020 by Brian Cohen.
