On Nov. 12, 1971, Arches National Park was established by Congress, upgrading it from national monument status and providing for the preservation of a massive swath of land in Utah. The decision meant it was officially considered to contain some significant scenic or natural feature, instead of simply something of public interest, and that more attention would go toward recreation and education.
The park's unique landscape was first formed by tectonic forces before the entire region was pushed upward from sea level by thousands of feet. Wind, water and more tectonic forces then created a kind of cyclical growth and erosion, eventually shaping the arches the park's named for. The core of Arches was, from 1898 to 1910, the site of a Civil War veteran's cattle ranch, which was then passed to a new owner, who then passed it into the hands of the government.
President Herbert Hoover signed the proclamation establishing Arches National Monument in 1929. It covered just 4,200 acres. It was enlarged twice afterward, once in 1938 and again in 1960. When it was made a national park, Arches was expanded once more to its current size of 119 square miles.
The park has some pretty incredible views, but just as interesting is its biodiversity. It plays host to hundreds of animal and plant species, including several threatened, rare, or endangered species. But, researchers warn, it won't look this way forever. In the past few decades, a couple of rock formations have collapsed or otherwise significantly eroded.
