The Fiery Furnace is a adventurous labyrinth within a large cluster of sandstone fins and spires in Arches National Park. It is quite possibly the most unique geological area of the park, which is remarkable given the surroundings. It is also one of the better places to escape park crowds, making it practically a "must do" for any itinerary. Despite its name, it is not a perpetually sweltering place (it can be quite cool in the canyon shadows at times). Rather, it was given the name due to the warm glow of the rocks in the late afternoon sun. According to the National Park Service, the chaos of the fins, spires, and canyons is "void, silent, and almost uncanny in its solitude."
The area is usage-restricted, at least partially for safety purposes, as there are no trails, signs, or cairns. Those wishing to visit must either accompany a ranger-guided tour or obtain a permit at the Arches National Park Visitor Center. Both have $10 fees. For those navigationally-inclined, exploring alone affords enhanced solitude and adventure. However, the ranger-guided tours have their own set of benefits, such as interesting geological and anthropological features within the Fiery Furnace (like the amazing fairy shrimp crustacean) that often go unnoticed or would remain unknown to most visitors.
No water or restrooms are available in the Fiery Furnace. Length and elevation gain will be subject to individual discretion.
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The NPS has created a trail that leads you through the Furnace. It consists of white arrows on a brown backing, about the size of a notecard, placed almost surreptitiously, that meander through the rocks. Following this trail takes about 2 hours!
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