The Part of Arches National Park that Nobody Visits! (SUV Camping/Vanlife Adventures)

Utah's Arches National Park. It's accessible, gorgeous, and crowded-or is it? Join me on this adventure as I visit one of the country's greatest national parks and leave the throngs behind.
DATE FILMED: Late March 2021
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowh...
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► My online store (SUV camping/vandwelling/overlanding accessories & SUV RVing merch): KamchatkaGear.com
GPS COORDINATES & LINKS
Want Google Maps links for the GPS coordinates below? Go here: suvrving.com/a...
** Poison Strip Mine: 38.8480, -109.5284
** GJHikes.com page for this hike: www.gjhikes.co...
** Where I parked: 38.8035, -109.5178
** Lightning Bolt Arch: 38.7899, -109.5173
** Cavern Arch: 38.7856, -109.5150
** Convert Arch: 38.7820, -109.5062
** Alternate trailhead to Convert Arch: 38.7735, -109.4885
** Campsite: 39.00396, -109.61087
** The shower: www.joolca.com...
IMAGE CREDITS
** Delicate Arch photo by James St. John on Flickr: www.flickr.com...
** Landscape Arch photo by Cacophony on Wikimedia: commons.wikime...
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** The company I use for my web hosting: www.a2hosting.com?aid=5dd04ea50f139 (Affiliate link)
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#utah #archesnationalpark #hiking

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed this adventure, check out my last visit to Arches, which was also blissfully crowd-free: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ipSckn-prbeSeNk

[@haydenlewis3982]

Thank you for having just a normal conversation with us while you go on these adventures. I absolutely hate the overly excited, fake show a lot of travel people put on. I really enjoy just listening and hanging out watching these videos. It's a breath of fresh air for this type of content.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Hayden, I really appreciate that. That's one of the reasons I started making videos-the kinds of stuff I wanted to see didn't exist. Thanks for watching.

[@yeetamous]

@@SUVRVing I'm 71, getting an old Caravan and a couple pop up tents and hitting the road. I cannot begin to do your kind of hikes, but will love the canyons, Idaho, Montana if only from a car give or take a few miles. Your videos are naturally inspiring. Thank you for all of them. Geoff in NC...

[@lisafleming9603]

You said it for me Hayden.

[@halfnhalf702]

Check out Kraig Adams channel and/or Mediocre Amateur

[@johndecriscio9586]

I am constantly amazed at the work people like yourself do on these hikes to show us you hiking or scrambling up a rock face by positioning your camera on a tripod, and then retracing your steps to retrieve your camera, and do the process all over again. Obviously a lot of work. I have been to Arches several time, one of my favorite National Parks. Thanks for taking me to a section of the park I will probably never see in person, but have seen because of your hard work.

[@SUVRVing]

It's some work, but it's not that bad. It's a relatively small portion of the overall adventure. But thanks for the kind words, John!

[@lisafleming9603]

Yes, thank you Tristan.

[@ReuvenEtzion]

Good on you for packing out other people’s trash! 💪

[@kathleenmahoney6657]

You may 'say so,' Tristan: you DO give great tips on spectacular, less-visited places! And I'm so excited to see how close you are to 100k subscribers! So glad that more people are finding and appreciating you.

[@SUVRVing]

Lol thanks Kathleen!

[@JohnPValentine]

At first I thought you said, (25:00) “Oh, I just found this little *Karen* here,” when you saw the cairn, just after talking about how you hadn’t seen a soul all day. 🤣Obviously I’ve been watching too many “Karen” videos. Thanks for another excellent video in a beautiful location…really nice to take the vicarious hikes with you!

[@deanharris7050]

Always enjoy being out and about with you. Loved this quote from you: "Doing the opposite of whatever 'wallowing in defeat is'."

[@norsefalconer]

Should be on a t-shirt!

[@suzettecalleja3122]

Thank you for packing the rope out. Someone with less experience or are foolish might be tempted to use it. You probably saved someone's life for doing that. 5 Gold Stars for you Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

At the very least, I saved other visitors to the area a bit of an eyesore 😁

[@donconniegardner3938]

Your steps take me places I cannot go, so thank you for showing me (us) these incredible sites! I enjoy your informative narrations as well!

[@1958zed]

Saturday mornings aren't complete without living vicariously through your adventures. Thanks for all the effort that goes into putting these videos together, Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@Deanna52ish]

What an epic and solitary place, just the way I like it. It's an effort sometimes, but worth it to be able to worship and ponder alone amongst such monolith structures, canyons, buttes and arches. Thank you Tristan.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanka Deanna!

[@adavell]

Loved the analogy of the cathedrals! You created a special moment there, indeed. Great thoughts, totally agree with that comparison. Excellent video. Thank you very much. 😀 I'm starting my first leg of my minivan trip this week, finally, thank you for all the inspiration you have provided over the years!

[@RicG.]

This location is now on my bucket list. Looks like I'm gonna have to get a bigger bucket. 😎

[@SUVRVing]

Lol you can never have a big enough bucket!

[@BRP42]

Welcome to the club!

[@hopeandgracetompkins3707]

Great comment..I agree with you. So I started a journal, no "bucket".😉

[@hopeandgracetompkins3707]

Such an enjoyable video. I thank you for the encouraging perseverance to acheive what you set out to do. God bless you and your family

[@1234dvarela]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful place. It’s comforting to know you can still see the park without the crowds.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching, Debbie!

[@timothysexton1532]

I like it when you wax philosophical/spiritual about the reasons why you do what you do. Your thoughts articulated under the arch resonated with my own feelings when I am lucky enough to be completely alone in a deserted "chapel" in nature. Thanks for a brief window into your soul.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Timothy, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate you watching.

[@John-ve3gg]

Agreed

[@oceandrew]

And it wasn't lost on me that this all happened under Convert Arch. Must be something about the place others have noted in the past too.

[@saginawdan]

Arches I Approve Of by Tristan - Thanks Tristan, a most excellent tour, I really appreciate your efforts!

[@RuggedRunnerOverland]

Thank you for sharing this hike. I have to say, I've been to Delicate and Landscape Arch, arguably the two most well known arches in not just Arches National Park but in Utah. The arch you hiked to in this video is far more beautiful and impressive in my book, the surrounding landscape is amazing and the lack of people/crowds puts it above the other two I mentioned earlier.

[@ceceliaroberts1475]

I just love your videos, thank-you for taking us on your hikes with you!

[@farrendavis4143]

ABSOLUTLEY STUNNING! and you were the only person there! thanks so much for the WELL DONE VIDEO! Added to the "bucket list"!

[@SpryWhimsy]

Thank you. I beleive I asked you about this location sometime in the last year and you said you would put it on your list. As for the solitude and majesty under a majestic arch alone, I felt that at Tapestry arch last summer. Crawled under it to get some shade. I was stunned by the views out and the utter silence. Not even an insect or a bird. It may have only been a short hike from the campground, but aparently no one knew it was there. My ears struggled to make sense of the lack of stimulation.

[@exbassguide]

I love your work! I have been subscribed for over a year. THANK YOU for the GPS information. You are a great recourse! My van conversion is over 50% done. Roger

[@TheJimford]

So happy to See You with Sun Screen on your face! Also the long sleeve shirts, excellent! I’m 76, grew up in Texas New Mexico, Boy Scouts, Explorers, hiking everyday… no sunscreen back then. Skin cancers galore now. So tired of going to dermatology procedures…smh. You lather up Son!

[@olgaguer6443]

Nice of you to show the map - what is the name of the map? Always enjoy your videos! And I'm going soon to SD - your video was very helpful in inspiring and planning! Have a happy trip!

[@SUVRVing]

That was the Trails Illustrated map for Arches National Park. Thanks for watching!

[@nickvh548]

Absolutely brilliant! We’re stuck in Toronto under stay-at-home orders but as soon as we’re free to travel, I’ll be hitting up some of the incredible spots you’ve highlighted. Thanks for continuing to share. The angle/view at 26:13 is breathtaking!

[@TheJBirch]

Are there any particular actions the Park needs to take if you DON'T approve of the name of the arch? LOL Another great video!

[@SUVRVing]

Yes, they should contact me immediately.

[@nathanwilson6670]

I hiked that same route a month ago. I didn't hike up to convert arch so it was cool to see your footage. I was curious to see if you'd mention millenium arch from gjhikes because it was so small. We continued up lost spring canyon and went into a cool slot canyon at the end. Like you we did not see anyone until we got to the slot canyon. Two girls rappelled into the slot canyon while we were there.

[@mandycleezehappyhour4238]

The "baby" arch you found should be dubbed "Echo Arch". I have to say what I thoroughly enjoy about your videos is your literacy... seriously. It is *so* refreshing to hear someone speak with such eloquence, and utilize such a diverse vocabulary. (I mean that sincerely...). Hearing you narrate is like having a cool breeze blowing across my brain. I also appreciate that you seem to notice and genuinely find interesting the exact same kinds of things that I would notice and genuinely find interesting--like the different weathering patterns within the different rock layers. Lastly, I especially resonated with your statement under Convert Arch. It's a shame it's getting harder and harder to find those spaces where you can just sit and listen and quietly observe the world around you (more sadly, fewer and fewer people seem to appreciate how valuable those places and that time can be...sigh). What a treat for yourself that you found just such a place and had it all to yourself. What a treat for your viewers that you so generously shared that moment with them. Thank you for these wonderful videos.

[@ericsgonewanderin5455]

I read quite a few of the comments. They made a great summation of the ways I responded to this video. I was smiling all the way through. Didn't you have an Arches video that had Yikes! on the thumbnail? It flashed in my head while you were waxing about the Arches and solitude. More good stuff, more good visits to memories. Thanks.

[@robertterrell3065]

You make good videos, dude, that's for sure! I'm a fan. You're looking for solitude in the amazing places you find. It's a really good thing :)

[@keithstewart2639]

Thanks for video, hope to get there, my kind of place, no people........you must be a lot of time, video yourself, and back tracking, to get your camera . Thanks for your information

[@deanbrown3763]

Thanks again Tristan for another really fine video! Wishing I were younger, but your enthusiasm and love of Nature's "cathedrals" inspire me! Keep it up!

[@jennifergalimanis8854]

Me too.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Dean!

[@toml73]

Great video Tristan. That looks like a wonderful place. Next month I'll be headed out that way for two weeks. Your videos have helped a lot in planning. I recently singed up for adventure know-how and it is wonderful. I love the way the information is easy to navigate. It has helped a lot as well. Keep up the great work with the videos and the website.

[@cathybutler4532]

As usual your photography is stunning. Thank you for bringing me back to a beautiful place.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Cathy!

[@scott-qk8sm]

Do you ever update yourself on missing 411 hikers in the areas you explore? Incase you find some key piece of their belongings.

[@Wanderepicearth]

Great hike. Great video and I believe Toyota should sponsor you for showing all the places their RAV4 is able to go to. Great setup for on demand hot water

[@francesplazabashark7148]

Thank you for sharing this great video. Love the Arches, one of my favorite parks. I only made it to Double O arches.

[@normanchan2001]

Look at all the cryptobiotic material you're trampling on. Thanks.

[@norsefalconer]

Tristan, what is the source of the map in the beginning? Is that/are they available through the Park Service?

[@doreengardner2849]

This was a great video. Low key, hiking "drama" and very enjoyable! Your videos are in my top 5 to watch! After your shower, you just seemed so relaxed and in your space in a very good way. Thank you so much for sharing the adventure with me! 💖

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Doreen, I'm glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@markatraveler3238]

Thank you Great find also Thank you for packing out the rope . As always stay safe and healthy

[@JJ-dn1gw]

Love your video's and sharing so much information on your hikes👍

[@John-ve3gg]

A national park with no people lol that's awesome! Great video..thank you for sharing your adventures!

[@mayinnlin1879]

Thank you so very much for sharing! Amazing 👍😊

[@eveostay]

Arches is probably the best. Thank you for this video.

[@larrymcbryan5630]

Thank you for taking us to amazing places. We can hardly wait for the border to re-open. Nancy

[@415sassyfre]

Yep I like going to places with yours hardly any people not into the tourist trap

[@richardb.7054]

And I thought I had seen it all in Arches, lol. Tristan, are the roads you came in on to access that part of the park doable with a 2WD truck? Thanks😀

[@odfarmboy]

My wife and I took our kids under Landscape arch (when it was still allowed), up the cliff behind to a small alcove where on a Sunday morning at sunrise we were all alone. We stopped to watch the sunrise and say a prayer.

[@lisafleming9603]

How magnificent a morning.

[@jennifergalimanis8854]

I love that you are so honest when you get stuck. Thanks for all your videos.

[@SUVRVing]

It's not interesting if things always go right according to plan, right? Thanks Jennifer!

[@chug-a-lugdoug4638]

So amazing guys. How can I donate ?

[@NinjaBooKitty]

Creeping up on 100,000! I'm just surprised you're not already there as great as this channel is. Can't wait to see you meet that goal!! 👍

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks! Should be there in the next month or so 🤞

[@saginawdan]

Of all the western U.S. channels I've watched, this is best👍

[@SUVRVing]

@@saginawdan Thanks Daniel!

[@roadtripper724]

Nothing better than those red rocks against that blue sky! ❤

[@SUVRVing]

Agreed! It's gorgeous out there.

[@nancyfuller4901]

I’d love to know about any wildlife in area, like snakes. You always make me hold my breath while I watch you put your hands on rocks when you don’t know what lurks there. I’m not familiar with this area at all so maybe no wildlife to be concerns about. Love your videos!

[@KayentaRojo]

There are about 5 or 6 species of Rattlesnakes, Scorpions, Tarantulas, Giant Desert Centipedes, many different Lizard species, Mountain Lions, Coyotes, and many other desert creatures.

[@ExploringIntuition]

Arches is a magical place and special to me. I am going back again this year, and i will be spending much more time this time. Terrific video. I am going to save this for reference in a few months. Great job Tristan!

[@timwalls8724]

Beautiful country. You do a lot of walking over what looks like it would be hard on shoes. Do you have recommendations for light but durable shoes?

[@SUVRVing]

I wear La Sportiva Wildcats. I'm on my 5th pair, I think. Great shoes. Not especially durable. I replace them every year and a half or so.

[@StanParker99]

You need to visit Rattlesnake Canyon near Grand Junction, several very nice arches.Google it for directions. There is a rough road that shortens the hike, or a longer hike. You'll love it.

[@SUVRVing]

It's been on my list for a while! Thanks for watching.

[@Blubirdmoon111]

Moab, Arches, My FAV place !!

[@gikar1948]

Thank you for sharing the location of your adventures. Many other KZbinrs who do exploring videos don’t sharing locations because they don’t want to share what we all have the freedom to see.

[@SUVRVing]

As the channel gets bigger and more people watch the videos, I weigh more and more whether sharing the exact coordinates is the right thing to do. Thanks for watching.

[@ceetee2021]

You are a wonderful videoagrapher and put thought and effort into making sure we experience what you see eventhough that means backtracking to get your camera. The staining on the red rock is so beautiful.

[@billthompson301]

Jacob Hamblin Arch near Escalante, Utah has to be a really great example of a natural cathedral!

[@mtnmandeluxe5429]

I bet it's not people free,,the next time

[@davidkilbourne7852]

Thanks for the video!

[@deniselarose1695]

Tristan, Thanks for taking me into a different part of Arches. Nice and solitary.

[@bg5215]

Ok! I can't believe it.... I actually beat Trevor somewhere!! Three years ago on family trip we climbed on the poison strip mine and then parked southeast of Convert Arch and then hiked overland to it. I didn't know about the northern access point and trail.... your route looks more interesting, but I'm kind of proud that I actually got somewhere before you did! Probably will never happen again. Great video!!

[@SUVRVing]

Lol you did it! Fun area, for sure. (BTW my name is Tristan, not Trevor 😁)

[@bg5215]

@@SUVRVing Oops! Sorry! I know that!

[@amyrodgers9887]

Love the arches-- great video

[@michelleharrell8452]

Skin Cancer comes from using OTC products. Been there with those products. I worked graveyard shift at that time. Use quality products.

[@darleneanglin3651]

Totally amazing footage, your adventures and experiences move my soul. Thank you for these. 😎

[@jamesrichardson1326]

What peak was in the background at the 30:00 mark?

[@jamesrichardson1326]

You said a few minutes later.

[@daughterofthemosthighgod9630]

I really enjoyed your video and your review on shower . Nice hot 🚿 out of no where 😊

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching!

[@TheSunGoethDown]

That was awesome! I would love to see that one day.

[@asadventures_moriicoddiwomple]

Covert Arch was great! Thanks for taking us there! Luckily for us, we visited the Grand Canyon South and North, Mesa Verde, and the Utah 5 in May-June of 2020 when many people were not out so much due to Covid. We camped and had everything we needed to avoid people. It was an amazing trip with limited people. Once in a lifetime occurrence for those parks and us!

[@henrywede6442]

In the book "Canyon country Arches & Bridges" by Barnes (ISBN 0-9615486-1-5) page 190 and 191 describe the ~discovery~ of the arch. It also indicates that the name is Covert, with no N in the name. It was published in 1978 with the name Covert. It is interesting how one website had a misspelling and now thousands of people are using the wrong name. That is the power of the Internet.

[@gregoryeaton7266]

I absolutely loved this video; thank you for sharing the adventure. The only sort of backcountry hiking I've done in Arches is the Klondike Bluffs area, and Eye of the Whale Arch. I will have to add this to my to-do hike list. And if you like hiking in solitude, try Upper Muley Twist Canyon in Capitol Reef. That is a hike that I've done without seeing another person. There are several interesting arches, and great views of the Waterpocket Fold from up on top.

[@martinforrester8249]

I love Arches, the first time was 1992, followed by 1994 and 1997. The section shown here didn't exist during my visits. I used to wild camp in the early days. In 1997, I got really stuck in my Isuzu Rodeo 4wd on a flood plane in thick clay whilst driving thru an offshute of Salt Creek trail. I hiked 5 miles to a main road got a lift back to Slickrock campground with none of my gear until an expensive haul out the next day. Fun times being relived by an oldtimer Englishman. .Having read Desert Solitaire, Edward Abbey became my all time hero, he used to be a Ranger in this park, many years ago.

[@kickinitwithkellyandjoey8691]

Eeek... LoL... I keep thinking about the snakes you might run into... lordy. Be careful 😁

[@gaypreator8547]

The Low Profile Arch 👍. The shower seems like a lot of plumbing to run around and get wet. The black bag etc shower might be good(er). In the ‘50s we used to go 2 weeks in Spring and Fall camping in Moab/Arches National Park area. Crawled all over that area camping/swimming in the pot holes. Much has changed. My parents were so great, as was my childhood. Enjoy your travels.

[@beach3girl459]

Always enjoy your treks. I particularly enjoy State Road 128 from Moab to Cisco which skirts the park on the eastern side and follows the Colorado River. As my name implies, I live for water views!

[@SUVRVing]

That's a classic drive, for sure! Thanks for watching.

[@07wrxtr1]

27:30 - "...beauty is meant to be contemplated, not captured..." Sir Roger Scruton - Why Beauty Matters

[@alexbradmckay]

I hope you have some satellite communication device "just in case". Have you seen 127 hours?

[@thomasdreke1698]

No people all day, that is nice! Thanks for the hike.

[@SUVRVing]

Sure was! Thanks for watching.

[@wandernotlost502]

My husband and I are loving your videos! Just wanted to tell u, since u said u were looking for some lesser known “cathedrals,” to check out Red River Gorge in Kentucky. It’s a climber’s mecca but holds lots of backwoods treasures! ;)

[@edzee293]

Thanks for a great video...I plan on visiting Arches soon. It is on my bucket list! Cheers!

[@zackdemundo]

Such a great channel. Good running commentary. I suspect your hikes are longer than described - having to double back and pick up the camera that shoots the casual walk-by or ascent. I was in Moab/Arches three weeks ago. A fair amount of people in the park, a ridiculous amount in town. Did you notice the doubling of hotels within 2 years? Where’d my frontier town go?

[@louisepotier2784]

There is so much work put into your videos and it seems effortless but I'm sure it is not. Thank-you for all you do and taking us with you to your journeys. I would love to go to these place but not to climb (because I don't rock climb)- just to see the magnitude and magnificence. Your enthusiasm is just wonderful to hear. Have a great day! 🙂

[@ggebhard1]

I loved this video!I visited the park and only drove through. For physical reasons, of the people I was traveling with, I wasn’t able to do any hiking. I was so bummed! I believe, at the very end of the drive, was a part the called The Forest or maybe The Woods, where you were able to get out and walk around tall structors the represented trees. I was really excited!! With my bad luck, a storm suddenly came up and we weren’t able to get out because of lightening!! So, finding your video was a thrill!!! Thank you so much for sharing the hike I would have loved to have done!!!! Gail from Michigan!

[@chrissessions6108]

My mind is blown that such a well-kept secret could exist in such a heavily trafficked park. I feel like one of many swine unworthily partaking of pearls. My recommendation to those who want to escape the crowds is to visit Arches in winter. The red rock looks beautiful when punctuated with snow, and you can do the hikes without having heat stroke.

[@annarmartin2713]

Loved this video. One of your best. What I really click with is the exploratory nature of your trip. Soon I will begin my own adventure inspired by you and your videos which I have been watching for a year. Thanks Tristan.

[@michelleharrell8452]

Wow No People. Spring Break kids just wanna have fun somewhere but not in the desert.

[@jlo7770]

Ahh so you do pack trash out..I would say without finishing the video... I'd assume someone left it for a reason. Def trash now though... what's trash, what's treasure?

[@beccad2772]

I thoroughly enjoy watching all your adventures. Shared with my daughters (3) and they were excited after watching the videos. Definitely have some new followers, as 2 of them reside in Utah. This will be one I make sure to share directly to them. One of their favorite down-time activities in their busy lives. Mine, too, but have slowed as my body has. Keep on sharing... I need to add some of these easy access to my bucket list. Beautiful

[@BrendaHaltom-cs6ck]

Great one Triston! Loved that Arch! So glad you gained access!❤️😀😀🚙

[@demesrvl6761]

I love that you can let us enjoy silence, too. No narration, no music. Just wind, sometimes birdsong, sometimes just the awesome, inspiring gift of silent beauty. You really are a gifted content creator and editor. Going off to figure out how to support you with more than just a view, a thumb, and a comment. If every viewer gave even just $0.25 per video, I figure you should be able to more than sustain yourself!

[@suzanne5961]

Great video. I love the echo at 19:40!! It was so clear. Also amazing that you didn't see anybody the whole day! Keep up the great work Tristan. Glad you're closing in on 100K subscribers. Hopefully that helps you keep doing this!

[@AmericanWanderers]

Get that cracked window fixed, in Florida and I suspect most states your insurance covers the replacement 100%. We got ours replaced and a fellow came by anbd did it in the yard, took him less than an hour. No charge to us, Another good video, We like toi see unpopulated spots. That mioning structure looks like one we saw on Yellow Jack road in the same general area south of I70

[@billeldridge2725]

Just found your channel and like it!! As a 1B guy myself, wanted to say hello and great job. Headed down there spring break 23

[@michellecastaneda4104]

How do you keep yourself from getting lost out there?

[@SUVRVing]

I have maps on my phone and a good sense of direction 👍

[@maryeliason1504]

One of my favorite areas in the WORLD! Went white water rafting & camping there. Many years ago. Glad I did as it must b very crowded now from the videos I see. Thank you for content.

[@AdventuringArthur]

I loved this video! Thank you for sharing these special arches. You bring such peace in the video when viewing this majestic beauty.

[@johndef5075]

Arches and Canyonlands are the most spectacular places Ive ever been. Incredibly varied desert terrain and always in the background snow capped peaks. Even got to go up the Lions Back in my friends jeep!

[@rouxchat6033]

Beautiful, as always. Thank you so much for sharing. An Oregon nomad 🌲💗🐶🐺💗🌲