Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and Permit Area
Narrow red-rock canyon maze that glows at sunset. Permits required; easy to get lost.
Natural Attraction
Towering red sandstone walls crowd the narrow passages as you navigate this natural labyrinth, with walls rising more than 100 feet in places. At sunset, low-angle light makes the rust-colored rock glow like a wood-fired furnace—the origin of this formation's name. The Fiery Furnace is a masterclass in joint-controlled erosion: ancient salt deposits beneath caused the rock to dome and crack, and millions of years of water erosion followed those natural fracture lines, carving the passages you see today. To explore, you must reserve a permit in advance through Recreation.gov—either for a ranger-led hike or self-guided adventure.
Getting there & parking
- How To Get There
- Located in central Arches National Park via the main scenic drive to the Fiery Furnace parking area. Valid park entrance pass required ($30 for private vehicle). GPS: 38.7432°N, 109.5660°W
What you will experience
- Attraction Type
- Geological Formation
Location
More at Arches National Park
Fiery Furnace
Fiery Furnace: red sandstone fins and slot canyons shaped by erosion and uplift.
Lions Park and Bike Path Trailhead
Colorado River corridor in Entrada Sandstone; water erosion shapes the canyon.
Old City Park
Red arches formed by erosion in Entrada sandstone. High arch density, easy roadside viewpoints.
Sources
- National Park Service
- YourNPGuide Editorial
Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.
Last updated July 2026. Report an issue.