Utah Photographic Destinations

Simpson Springs Pony Express Station Rainbow Bridge National Monument Valley of the Gods Goosenecks State Park Fiery Furnace Arches National Park

Let me help you to find a great location in Utah for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser known destinations, as well as the famous “Icon Locations” for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information,  consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to insure a quality guide to great locations for photography in Utah.

Interactive Google Map

Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page.

Utah Photographic Destinations

Utah Destinations
  Valley of the Gods The Valley of the Gods is included in the newly designated Bears Ears National Monument   The Valley of the Gods area may be toured via a 17-mile gravel road  that winds around the formations. The road is rather steep and bumpy in parts but is passable by non-four-wheel drive vehicles in dry weather. The western end joins UT 261 shortly before its 1,200-foot ascent up Cedar Mesa at Moki Dugway, while the eastern end starts 9 miles from the town of Mexican Hat along US 163 and heads north, initially crossing flat, open land and following the course of Lime Creek, a seasonal wash, before turning west towards the buttes and pinnacles. In addition to the gravel road, the area is also crisscrossed by off-road dirt trails. The terrain and scenery is very similar to the more popular Monument Valley located a few miles away.  The Valley of the Gods is at the base of the Cedar Mesa which rises more than 2000 feet above the valley. The statuesque sentinels in the Valley of the Gods, as well as other area features, are all sculpted from Cedar Mesa sandstone dating to the Permian age, 250 million years old. The 1200 foot thick sandstone was cemented by calcium carbonate interspersed with lenses of red siltstone and was deposited in huge sand dunes near the shores of an ancient sea. Erosion by water, wind and ice over millions of years chiseled rock formations into the unique shapes we see today. There are no designated hiking trails, but you can hike anywhere you like, as well as primitive camping.  There are no services in the Valley of the Gods be sure to bring plenty of water and everything else you will need.     Admission & Hours Open year-round, no closures Entrance Fees There are no fees or permits required for this area. Getting There: GPS Coordinates to the west entrance (37.264275, -109.932515) Driving Directions The Valley of the Gods Road runs between Highways 163 and 261. The road forks away from Hwy 163 about 7.5 miles north of Mexican Hat. It winds north and west and then connects with Hwy 261 about 6.5 miles northwest of the point where Hwy 261 forks from Hwy 161. This is a rough road and a high clearance vehicle is recommended, however when dry a regular passenger car should be able to travel the road, when wet you may need a four wheel drive or it may become impassible.   Driving the Valley of the Gods Loop from the East Entrance on US Highway 163 0.5 miles Scenic pull off.  The SEVEN SAILORS formation is on your left (west).  The SEVEN SAILORS appear to have flat sailor caps. 1.5 miles SETTING HEN BUTTE can be viewed straight in front of you. 5 miles BATTLESHIP ROCK is on your left (southwest). 5.7 miles If you pull over at this point, look in your rear view mirror.  The ROOSTER BUTTE, a monolith,  will be visible to the south. 7 miles At this point, you begin to circle CASTLE BUTTE on your left. 8 miles The drive around CASTLE BUTTE is complete. 15.5 miles VALLEY OF THE GODS BED AND BREAKFAST/LEE’S RANCH is at this point. 16 miles You have reached Utah Highway 261.  Turn left to go to the Goosenecks State Park, US 163, Mexican Hat and Monument Valley.  Turn right to go up the Moki Dugway, and access Muley Point and Cedar Mesa.  Utah Highway 95 is also to the right, which leads you to Natural Bridges National Monument. Driving the Valley of the Gods Loop from the West Entrance on Utah Highway 261 Entrance On your left (north), note Cedar Mesa which rises 1,100 feet above you. Less than 0.5 miles You have reached VALLEY OF THE GODS BED AND BREAKFAST/LEE’S RANCH. 2.5-3.5 miles The tall monolith to the left (north)  is BALANCED ROCK. 7.5 – 8.5 miles The tall monolith to the north is CASTLE BUTTE. 9 – 9.5 miles ROOSTER BUTTE becomes visible to the south and BATTLESHIP ROCK is on the right (southwest). 13.5 miles To your right, you will be passing SETTING HEN BUTTE. 15 miles The SEVEN SAILORS formation with their flat, sailor caps are on the right (west). 16 miles Cross LIME CREEK to reach US Highway 163.  Bluff is to the left.  Mexican Hat is to the right.   Source:  The Bureau of Land Management’s Valley of the Gods brochure.    Accessed October 17, 2012. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Facilities There are no facilities in the area of any kind, you must bring everything you need.   Location Contact Information: Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Monticello Field Office Monticello, Utah. Telephone:  435-587-1500. Nearest City or Town:  Mexican Hat Utah   Valley of the Gods Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Utah: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Simpson Springs Pony Express Station The 1861 mail contract listed Simpson’s Springs as a route site, which other sources also identify as Pleasant Springs, Egan’s Springs, and Lost Springs. Fike and Headley place this station eight miles west of Government Creek. George Chorpenning found the site promising in 1851, with a good source of water, and stone structures were erected soon thereafter. These structures probably housed Pony Express and stage operations, after Russell, Majors, and Waddell and the Central Overland California & Pike’s Peak Express Company assumed the Chorpenning contract in May 1860. George Dewees managed the station. The station received its name from J. H. Simpson, a Camp Floyd topographical engineer who in 1859 laid out an acceptable route from Salt Lake City to Carson Valley. Activities at Simspon’s Springs declined after the Pony Express and stage eras until the 1890s, when miners and other travelers began stopping at the site on their way to and from the Gold Mill area. During that time the Walters and Mulliner Stage Company adapted the rock station for its use, and other structures went up at the site. Dewey and Clara Anderson built a home about 1895, and someone else operated a log grocery store there. The Anderson home burned about 1957. In the 1930s the Civilian Conservation Corps established a camp west of the Simpson’s Springs station site. In 1965, a monument was placed to mark the station site.  Thereafter, in the 1970s, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) revitalized the area as a camping spot, and in 1975, BLM and Future Farmers of America finished reconstructing the rock station. The Pony Express National Historic Trail (NHT) was designated by Congress in 1992 and is administered by the National Park Service as a component of the National Trails System. The area around the Simpson Springs Pony Express Station is a fantastic place for landscape photos.   Where it is: From State Route 36 near Faust, turn west on the Pony Express Road and drive 25 miles to campground on maintained gravel road. From Interstate 80, take Dugway-Rowley Exit 77, drive south on State Route 196 to Dugway, continue south 10 miles on maintained dirt road to Pony Express Road, turn left or west onto Pony Express Road for 10 miles. Get directions on Google Maps Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. GPS: 40°2’21.756″ N 112°47’15.84″ W   Cost: There is no cost to visit Simpson’s Springs Pony Express Station. Hours: The location is accessible at all times.   Facilities: There are vault toilets in the parking area and Simpson Springs Campground nearby  provides potable water (except in winter months) and restroom facilities. Location Contact Information: Mailing Address: National Trails Pony Express National Historic Trail PO Box 728 Santa Fe, NM 87504 Phone: 505-988-6098   Simpson Springs Pony Express Station Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Utah Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
Rainbow Bridge National Monument Rainbow Bridge National Monument is administered by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, southern Utah, United States. Rainbow Bridge is often described as the world’s highest natural bridge. The span of Rainbow Bridge was reported in 1974 by the Bureau of Reclamation to be 275 feet, but a measurement of span according to definition by the Natural Arch and Bridge Society in 2007 resulted in a value of 234 feet. At the top it is 42 feet thick and 33 feet wide. The bridge, which is of cultural importance to a number of area Native American tribes, has been designated a Traditional Cultural Property by the National Park Service. Rainbow Bridge is one of the most accessible of the large arches of the world. It can be reached by a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell from either of two marinas near Page, Arizona, followed by a mile-long walk from the National Park wharf in Bridge Canyon, or by hiking several days overland from a trailhead on the south side of Lake Powell. Located in the rugged, isolated canyons at the feet of Navajo Mountain, Rainbow Bridge was known for centuries by the Native Americans who have long held the bridge sacred. Ancient Pueblo People were followed much later by Paiute and Navajo groups who named the bridge Nonnezoshe or “rainbow turned to stone.” Several Native American families still reside nearby. By the 1800s, Rainbow Bridge was probably seen by wandering trappers, prospectors, and cowboys. Not until 1909, though, was its existence publicized to the outside world. Two separate exploration parties – one headed by University of Utah Dean Byron Cummings, and another by government surveyor, W.B. Douglass – began searching for the legendary span. Eventually, they combined efforts. Paiute guides Nasja Begay and Jim Mike led the way, along with trader and explorer John Wetherill. Late in the afternoon of August 15, coming down what is now Bridge Canyon, the party saw Rainbow Bridge for the first time. Where it is: Rainbow Bridge is only accessible by boat on Lake Powell or by land over a 14+ mile trail from the Navajo Nation. By Boat Trips to Rainbow Bridge may be made across Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area using private, rental, or tour boats. From Wahweap, Antelope Point, and Dangling Rope, travel north. From Bullfrog and Halls Crossing, travel south. Proceed to the mouth of Forbidding Canyon (buoy 49), where a floating sign on the right marks the canyon entrance. Follow the canyon about 2 miles to another sign that points the way left through a narrow passage. Proceed with caution! Beyond the wakeless buoys, go slowly so that no wakes, or waves, are made. A courtesy dock is available for short-term docking while people make the roughly 2 mile walk to the bridge. By Hike You may backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands. A permit from the Navajo Nation is required. Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. GPS: 37°4’41.478″ N 110°57’50.304″ W Cost: There is no fee to enter Rainbow Bridge National Monument. There is an entrance fee for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, from which visitors can access Rainbow Bridge by boat. Glen Canyon Recreation Area Entrance Fees – Weekly 1-7 Day Vehicle Entrance – $30.00  Admits one single, private, non-commercial vehicle and all its passengers 1-7 Day Motorcycle Entrance – $25.00  Admits one single, private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders. 1-7 Day Individual Entrance – $15.00  Admits one individual when entering on foot or bicycle. Individuals 15 years of age and younger are admitted free. 1-7 Day Boating Entrance – $30.00  Admits one single private vessel. If a Senior Pass is presented at time of purchase, the boat entrance fee is $15.00 and good for 1-7 Days. 1-7 Day Boating Entrance additional vessel – $30.00  Admits one single private vessel on the same trailer as a vessel paying full entry fees The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes are accepted. Permits are required from the Navajo Nation for those wishing to backpack to Rainbow Bridge. Boat Tours: Boat tours to Rainbow Bridge are available from the park’s concessioner, Lake Powell Resorts & Marinas. Tours depart from Wahweap Marina about 50 miles on the lake from Rainbow Bridge. The tour is an all day excursion. For boat tour information and reservations visit www.lakepowell.com or call 800-528-6154. Hours: Rainbow Bridge National Monument is open year-round to the public.The heaviest visitation is during the summer. Guided Tours may be available year-round. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is closed at sundown. Camping at Rainbow Bridge National Monument is not permitted. You may camp outside of the monument boundaries on Navajo land with a permit, or in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area from your boat. You may not leave your boat at the docks overnight. Facilities: There are no facilities at Rainbow Bridge. There are floating restroom facilities at the dock. There are NOT restrooms at the bridge. There is no food service within Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Limited food service is available seasonally at Dangling Rope Marina, approximately 10 miles south of Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. Fuel, provisions, and restrooms are also available at Dangling Rope Marina. Location Contact Information: Mailing Address: c/o Glen Canyon National Recreation Area PO Box 1507 691 Scenic View Dr Page, AZ 86040 Phone: (928) 608-6200 Receptionist at headquarters of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Rainbow Bridge National Monument. Office hours are weekdays 7am – 4pm MST. Rainbow Bridge National Monument Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery   More Photographic Destinations in Utah: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State    All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
  Goosenecks State Park On the edge of a deep canyon above the sinuous river meander known as a gooseneck, this small park affords impressive views of one of the most striking examples of an entrenched river meander on the North American continent. The San Juan River twists and turns through the meander, flowing a distance of over six miles while advancing one and half miles west on its way to Lake Powell. Gaze at the results of 300 million years of geological activity, where the San Juan River winds and carves its way through the desert 1,000 feet below. Millions of years ago, the land here was relatively flat, and the river meandered on its course. Then a period of uplift occurred on the Colorado Plateau. As the land rose, the river flowed faster while still following its meandering course. The river cut into the land, eventually creating the impressive entrenched meanders seen at Goosenecks State Park today. Eroded by water, wind, frost, and gravity, this is truly a magnificent viewpoint. The headwaters of the San Juan River are in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, which is the origin of 90 percent of the river’s flow. The San Juan flows 360 miles from its source to the Colorado River, starting at an elevation of 14,000 feet and dropping to 3,600 feet at Lake Powell. The river is named for San Juan Bautista, Spanish for St. John the Baptist. Ancestors of today’s Pueblo people lived in canyon tributaries of the San Juan, leaving behind images on stone, storage structures, and remnants of small masonry communities. At Goosenecks, the views extend for miles. Alhambra Rock is the dark volcanic intrusion that looms on the horizon, beyond Mexican Hat. The buttes and spires of Monument Valley lie to the southwest. Sightseeing, photography, star gazing, hiking at nearby Honaker Trail, pet-friendly, picnicking, and camping. Please note: There are no hiking or bike trails within the Park. Bikes are permitted on public roads only. Goosenecks State Park can be intensely hot during summer months, and there is no shade.     Admission & Hours    Open year-round, no closures Entrance Fees $5 per car $2 per person, commercial tour bus or tour group $10 per night for camping   Getting There: Driving Directions 25 miles west of Bluff along US 163, west on SR 261, then southwest on SR 316   Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Facilities Goosenecks State Park offers picnic areas, primitive camping, vault toilets, and an observation shelter. Location Contact Information: Goosenecks State Park c/o Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum 660 West 400 North Blanding, UT 84511 (435) 678-2238 Nearest City or Town:  Mexican Hat Utah Goosenecks State Park Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Utah: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...
 Fiery Furnace Arches National Park The Fiery Furnace is a natural labyrinth of narrow passages between towering sandstone walls. To enter the Fiery Furnace, visitors must accompany a ranger-guided tour or obtain a hiking permit at the visitor center. The Fiery Furnace earns its name from the deep red and orange glow of the sandstone fins that, when lit by the setting sun, resemble a ‘fiery furnace’. There are no trails, signs, or cairns in the Fiery Furnace. GPS units do not work well due to the towering sandstone walls. Navigating its complex passages requires physical agility and careful observation. To protect the wildlife and plants that inhabit sand dunes and drainages between the rock walls, visitors must choose their steps wisely. The park encourages first-time visitors to the Fiery Furnace to join a ranger-led tour or go with someone who has been before. Building cairns is not allowed in the Fiery Furnace. If interpretive rangers see any cairns, they will knock them over immediately. Do not rely on self-made cairns for navigation and GPS units may not work in the Fiery Furnace’s deep canyons and slots. Arial view of the Fiery Furnace from Google Earth.     Admission & Hours Arches National Park is open year-round, 24 hours a day. Entrance Fees Fee Type Fee Private Vehicle Valid for 7 days. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants. $25/vehicle Motorcycle Valid for 7 days. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial motorcycle. $15/motorcycle Per Person Valid for 7 days. Admits one (1) individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free. $10/person Southeast Utah Parks Annual Pass Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches andCanyonlands national parks, and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. $50 Fiery Furnace Guided Walk Type of Fiery Furnace Fee Fee Ranger-led Tour $16/adult $8/child (age 5-12) Private Permit $6/adult $3/child (age 5-12) $15/annual permit   Children under 5 years of age are not permitted. Morning tour tickets can be reserved in advance through www.recreation.gov. Permits Anyone who wishes to enter the Fiery Furnace without a ranger must obtain a hiking permit at the Arches Visitor Center during regular business hours. Everyone in your group must be present when the permit is issued to watch a short orientation video. Permits may be obtained up to seven days in advance and are only valid from sunrise to sunset on the date specified. Maximum group size is 25 people per permit. Pets and children under 5 are not allowed. Permits frequently sell out during the busy season; they may not be reserved or “held” over the phone. The best way to know how many are available is to check in person at Arches Visitor Center. Fiery Furnace hiking permits cost $6 for adults (ages 13 and over), $3 for children (ages 5 through 12), and $3 for holders of Interagency Senior Passes or Interagency Access Passes. For a fee of $15, visitors may purchase a Fiery Furnace Annual Pass, which waives the permit fee and video-watching requirement for pass holders for one calendar year.   What to Photograph:  The photographic subjects are endless in the Fiery Furnace, there are arches, spires, narrow sandstone canyons and fins. Best Time for Photographers:   The only time that you can photography here is during the day, and are only valid from sunrise to sunset. Lighting in the Fiery Furnace can be a challenge, with it being very dark deep in the slot caverns and a very bright sky on a sunny day.  Shooting bracketed exposures and combining them into HDR will help capture the full dynamic range. Getting There: Driving Directions From the Arches National Park Visitor Center, drive into the park for 14.0 miles to the signed “Fiery Furnace Viewpoint” turn-off. Turn south (right) into the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and find a place to park. The GPS coordinate for the trailhead is: N38º 44′ 34″, W109º 33′ 58″.   Maps: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, click and drag the to move the map, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Facilities Restrooms are available at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint, but not inside the Fiery Furnace. Food, gas, lodging and other services are not available in Arches National Park; services are available in the town of Moab. Location Contact Information: By Mail Arches National Park PO Box 907 Moab, UT 84532-0907 By Phone Visitor Information (435) 719-2299 Headquarters (435) 719-2100 Elsewhere Facebook Flickr Twitter YouTube By Email General Information & Visitor Comments Educational Fee Waivers Nearest City or Town:  Moab Utah Fiery Furnace Photo Gallery Click Here for full page gallery More Photographic Destinations in Utah: Interactive Google Map Use the map  + – controls to zoom in and out, use the Map drop-down to change to “Map”, “Satellite”, “Hybrid”, or “Terrain” views.  Drag the little man icon from the upper left corner to a map location for street level view. Click on a pushpin for more information about the Photographic Destination, then click on the title to go to the location page. Click Here for Photographic Destinations by State All the information in this post was believed to be accurate at the time it was published.  Please be sure to double check with the location before relying on this information as everything changes over time, especially hours, prices, and whether the location is still open.   Great Places for Great Photos   Let me help you to find a great location for your next photography adventure.  I will list many lesser-known destinations, as well as the famous "Icon Locations" for photography.  I will provide photos (Lots of Photos), location information, consisting of what there is to photograph as well as other information about the destination.  I will give costs, maps, directions, contact information, and other essential information for a successful photo trip.  I will only post for locations that I have personally photographed to ensure a quality guide to great locations for photography. If you know of great places that are not posted, please send me the details, I may just decide that is a place I need to go!     Greg Disch is a freelance photographer located in Arkansas. Greg specializes in nature, scenic, wildlife, and other outdoor subjects in Arkansas and other areas of the country.  Most of the images on this site are available for sale as prints, personal use, or rights managed stock photos. Greg offers both classroom instruction and in the field hands on photographic workshops. Classroom sessions are normally held in Fort Smith Arkansas, but arrangements can be made to bring a class to your group. All classes and workshops have small class sizes designed to provide an optimum student to instructor ratio, where you can get the personal attention, you need.  Most classes and workshops are limited to a maximum of six participants and will be held with a minimum of only two. If you are looking for a wonderful opportunity to get personal individual instruction, I do private workshops and classes at a location of your choice, whether doing a location photo shoot, coming to your home or business, traveling across the country on a road trip, or at my classroom.  This is a fantastic way to learn digital workflow and be sure that your computer equipment is properly configured for optimum performance. [...]Read more...