Arches National Park, in the high desert of southeastern Utah, is best known for its rock formations, yet despite the harsh, arid environment it supports a surprising variety of animals. Mule deer can often be seen grazing in the early morning or late evening, and bighorn sheep move easily over the rocky terrain. Smaller mammals include desert cottontails, kangaroo rats and several species of bats.
Lizards and snakes are common, often basking on sun-warmed rocks, and birdwatchers can look for golden eagles, peregrine falcons and a variety of songbirds. Keep reading to see featured photos of Arches’ wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Arches National Park Wildlife Photographs
Have a National Park Wildlife photograph you’d like featured? Contact us today to learn more!
Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Arches Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Arches National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Collier’s Guide to Photographing Arches National Park
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Arches National Park Species List
The wildlife at Arches National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Arches National Park:
Arches National Park Mammals
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Badger (Taxidea taxus) | Rare |
| American Beaver (Castor canadensis) | Uncommon |
| American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) | Rare |
| Big Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) | Uncommon |
| Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis) | Uncommon |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) | Uncommon |
| Bobcat (Lynx rufus) | Unknown |
| Botta’s Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) | Uncommon |
| Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) | Uncommon |
| Brush Mouse (Peromyscus boylii) | Uncommon |
| Bushy-tailed Woodrat (Neotoma cinerea) | Uncommon |
| California Myotis (Myotis californicus) | Common |
| Canyon Mouse (Peromyscus crinitus) | Common |
| Common Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) | Uncommon |
| Common Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) | Rare |
| Coyote (Canis latrans) | Uncommon |
| Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) | Common |
| Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) | Common |
| Desert Woodrat (Neotoma lepida) | Unknown |
| Elk (Cervus canadensis) | Unknown |
| Hoary Bat (Aeorestes cinereus) | Uncommon |
| Hopi Chipmunk (Neotamias rufus) | Common |
| Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) | Unknown |
| Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) | Rare |
| Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) | Uncommon |
| North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) | Uncommon |
| Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster) | Uncommon |
| Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor) | Uncommon |
| Northern River Otter (Lontra canadensis) | Unknown |
| Ord’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) | Uncommon |
| Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus) | Unknown |
| Pinon Mouse (Peromyscus truei) | Uncommon |
| Plains Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavescens) | Uncommon |
| Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) | Uncommon |
| Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) | Rare |
| Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) | Uncommon |
| Rock Squirrel (Otospermophilus variegatus) | Common |
| Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) | Uncommon |
| Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) | Uncommon |
| Western Pipistrelle (Parastrellus hesperus) | Common |
| Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) | Unknown |
| White-tailed Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) | Common |
| White-tailed Prairie Dog (Cynomys leucurus) | Uncommon |
| Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) | Uncommon |
Arches National Park Birds
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Occasional |
| American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) | Common |
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Common |
| American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | Rare |
| American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) | Occasional |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Uncommon |
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizelloides arborea) | Rare |
| American Wigeon (Mareca americana) | Occasional |
| Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) | Common |
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) | Occasional |
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | Uncommon |
| Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) | Uncommon |
| Bendire’s Thrasher (Toxostoma bendirei) | Occasional |
| Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) | Common |
| Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) | Occasional |
| Black Rosy-finch (Leucosticte atrata) | Common |
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Uncommon |
| Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) | Common |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) | Common |
| Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) | Unknown |
| Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) | Occasional |
| Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Black-throated Gray Warbler (Setophaga nigrescens) | Common |
| Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) | Common |
| Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) | Common |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) | Common |
| Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Uncommon |
| Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) | Common |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) | Uncommon |
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Rare |
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Occasional |
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Common |
| Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) | Uncommon |
| Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) | Occasional |
| Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) | Common |
| California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) | Occasional |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Uncommon |
| Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) | Common |
| Cassin’s Finch (Haemorhous cassinii) | Occasional |
| Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) | Rare |
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Occasional |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Common |
| Chukar (Alectoris chukar) | Uncommon |
| Cinnamon Teal (Spatula cyanoptera) | Occasional |
| Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) | Occasional |
| Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) | Uncommon |
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Occasional |
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Rare |
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) | Uncommon |
| Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) | Uncommon |
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Common |
| Common Redpoll (Acanthis flammea) | Occasional |
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | Uncommon |
| Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Uncommon |
| Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax difficilis occidentalis) | Occasional |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Gray-headed) (Junco hyemalis caniceps) | Common |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Oregon) (Junco hyemalis oreganus) | Common |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Pink-sided) (Junco hyemalis mearnsi) | Common |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Slate-colored) (Junco hyemalis hyemalis) | Rare |
| Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) | Uncommon |
| Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) | Occasional |
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | Occasional |
| Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) | Unknown |
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Uncommon |
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Unknown |
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Uncommon |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Occasional |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) | Occasional |
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Unknown |
| Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) | Rare |
| Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) | Uncommon |
| Gray-crowned Rosy-finch (Leucosticte tephrocotis) | Common |
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Uncommon |
| Great Egret (Ardea alba) | Occasional |
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Uncommon |
| Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) | Common |
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Uncommon |
| Hairy Woodpecker (Dryobates villosus) | Uncommon |
| Harris’ Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Occasional |
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Rare |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Common |
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | Common |
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Occasional |
| House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | Uncommon |
| Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) | Rare |
| Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) | Common |
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Uncommon |
| Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) | Occasional |
| Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) | Common |
| Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) | Common |
| Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) | Occasional |
| Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) | Uncommon |
| Lewis’ Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) | Occasional |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Rare |
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | Common |
| Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) | Occasional |
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Rare |
| Lucy’s Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae) | Rare |
| MacGillivray’s Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) | Uncommon |
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Uncommon |
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | Rare |
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Occasional |
| Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) | Common |
| Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) | Uncommon |
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Common |
| Nashville Warbler (Leiothlypis ruficapilla) | Rare |
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Uncommon |
| Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) | Rare |
| Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius) | Common |
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | Uncommon |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) | Rare |
| Northern Shrike (Lanius borealis) | Rare |
| Northern Waterthrush (Parkesia noveboracensis) | Unknown |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) | Occasional |
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Leiothlypis celata) | Uncommon |
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Rare |
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Rare |
| Pine Siskin (Spinus pinus) | Uncommon |
| Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) | Common |
| Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) | Uncommon |
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Uncommon |
| Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) | Occasional |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Occasional |
| Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) | Rare |
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Common |
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Uncommon |
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Occasional |
| Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) | Common |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | Rare |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) | Uncommon |
| Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) | Occasional |
| Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) | Rare |
| Sagebrush Sparrow (Artemisiospiza nevadensis) | Uncommon |
| Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) | Occasional |
| Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) | Common |
| Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) | Uncommon |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Uncommon |
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Occasional |
| Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) | Rare |
| Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) | Rare |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Uncommon |
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | Rare |
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | Uncommon |
| Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | Common |
| Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) | Rare |
| Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Occasional |
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | Occasional |
| Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Rare |
| Townsend’s Warbler (Setophaga townsendi) | Occasional |
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | Rare |
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Common |
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Common |
| Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) | Common |
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | Unknown |
| Virginia’s Warbler (Leiothlypis virginiae) | Uncommon |
| Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) | Uncommon |
| Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) | Occasional |
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | Occasional |
| Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) | Common |
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Uncommon |
| Western Screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii) | Rare |
| Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) | Uncommon |
| Western Wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) | Rare |
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Occasional |
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Common |
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | Occasional |
| White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) | Common |
| White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) | Unknown |
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Uncommon |
| Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) | Occasional |
| Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii) | Rare |
| Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | Occasional |
| Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) | Uncommon |
| Woodhouse’s Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma woodhouseii) | Common |
| Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) | Uncommon |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | Uncommon |
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) | Occasional |
| Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) | Common |
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Occasional |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata) | Common |
Arches National Park Reptiles
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) | Uncommon |
| Common Sagebrush Lizard (Sceloporus graciosus) | Common |
| Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) | Unknown |
| Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) | Common |
| Greater Short-horned Lizard (Phrynosoma hernandesi) | Uncommon |
| Long-nosed Leopard Lizard (Gambelia wislizenii) | Uncommon |
| Midget Faded Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus concolor) | Unknown |
| Nightsnake (Hypsiglena torquata) | Unknown |
| Plateau Lizard (Sceloporus tristichus) | Common |
| Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) | Common |
| Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) | Common |
| Terrestrial Gartersnake (Thamnophis elegans) | Uncommon |
| Tiger Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris) | Common |
| Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) | Common |
Arches National Park Amphibians
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) | Common |
| Great Basin Spadefoot (Spea intermontana) | Unknown |
| Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) | Unknown |
| Red-spotted Toad (Anaxyrus punctatus) | Common |
| Woodhouse’s Toad (Anaxyrus woodhousii) | Common |
Arches National Park Fish
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Bluehead Sucker (Pantosteus discobolus) | Uncommon |
| Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) | Uncommon |
| Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) | Common |
| Flannelmouth Sucker (Catostomus latipinnis) | Uncommon |
| Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) | Unknown |
| Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) | Uncommon |
| Northern Plains Killifish (Fundulus kansae) | Common |
| Red Shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis) | Common |
| Speckled Dace (Rhinichthys osculus) | Common |
| Yellow Bullhead (Ameiurus natalis) | Uncommon |
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Arches National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
Do you want to be featured on National Park Photographer?
Why wait! Contact us today at nationalparkphoto@gmail.com for more information!
