The Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Arches is a relatively small and accessible national park. Some of the best views are just off the side of the road or near a parking lot, making it easy to get a feel for what makes this place special, particularly if you're visiting Arches for the first time.

You don't necessarily have to cover a lot of miles on dusty trails.

But isn't the fun of exploring a new park about getting out and putting some miles behind you?

We think so.

This guide is a curated list of the hikes that truly stand out in Arches, put together with firsthand experience from exploring the park with that mindset.

These trails deliver on both views and experience, ranging from a few miles to just a short walk. We've included the easy roadside stops, without forgetting about the more adventurous and challenging hikes.

‍

Delicate Arch

Distance | 3.3 miles Elevation gain | 629 feet Difficulty | Moderate Duration | 2 hours

‍

You can't do your research on Arches National Park without hearing about Delicate Arch.

And that's because you can't visit the park without going to see it.

It's arguably the most iconic rock formation in the entire state. You'll even see it on Utah license plates.

But we've got to admit - the hype is totally worth it.

Delicate Arch is one of those views where the 'wow factor' really hits you once you arrive.

The hike to get here is a bit adventurous, too.

Be ready for a short, but steady uphill trek on some slickrock approximately 3/4 mile in. It'll probably be enough to take the wind out of you.

After that it levels out some, but you'll need to be on the lookout for reflective markers along the trail or rock cairns to guide you, since it can be easy to lose your way.

As you approach Delicate Arch you'll be walking on a relatively narrow path with a dangerous drop on the left and a sheer rock face on the right.

A quarter of a mile later, you reach the end of the rock wall and Delicate Arch will suddenly come into view, with the snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the distance.

We think the best time to come here is for sunset. A crowd gathers every night to see the last rays of light hitting the arch and there's a collective sense of awe, as everyone sits, speaking in hushed whispers and taking it all in.

‍

‍

Top Tip // Don't overlook the petroglyphs. They're on a short 1/4 mile loop that branches off not far from the Delicate Arch trailhead.

You can also get a distant view of Delicate Arch by continuing down the road and parking where it dead ends. The trailhead here leads to two scenic spots - Upper and Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint. The view definitely won't be the same as up close, but if you have some spare time in the park it's worth checking out.

‍

Devil's Garden Loop

Distance | 8.1 miles Elevation gain | 1,158 feet Difficulty | Hard Duration | 4 - 5 hours

‍

This is one of the best hikes in the park because it gives you so much bang for your buck.

If you hike the entire 8 miles, you'll have the opportunity to see eight impressive arches. Some of them, like Navajo Arch and Partition Arch, are on optional side trails, so it's possible to pick and choose what you want to see and shorten this hike.

Just 0.3 miles beyond Devil's Garden Trailhead, you'll encounter the first side trail, which leads to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.

‍

‍

After this, at the next junction, it's best to continue in a clockwise direction. All of the remaining arches and the best views are on this side of the loop.

If you're like us, you might want to do the full hike just to say you did it. Sometimes pride gets the better of us.

But honestly, if we were to do this one again, we'd turn around and double back the same way after seeing the arches. The eastern part of the trail is fully exposed to the sun with no shade and there are some deep patches of sand that make it difficult to walk. It's just a bit of a slog.

That being said, the rest of the hike is awesome.

There's even a section of primitive trail near Double O Arch that requires some route finding, with light scrambling and some steep drop-offs.

‍

‍

Top Tip // This trail is one of three that can be accessed directly from Devil's Garden Campground. As the only campground in the park, it's a popular place to stay and is typically full every night during the busy season, March thru October. If you want to reserve it, plan ahead. Reservations open six months in advance.

‍

Landscape Arch

Distance | 1.9 miles Elevation gain | 252 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 45 minutes

‍

The trail to Landscape Arch is actually the first part of Devil's Garden Loop.

If that hike sounds like too much, you can still easily go out and back to Landscape Arch. This first section is almost completely flat and hard packed.

The trail leads to a viewing area that's fenced off to prevent hikers from getting too close to Landscape Arch.

It's the longest arch in North America and is definitely one of the most spectacular arches in the park. Back in the 90s a large chunk of it fell off. Now it's hanging on by a narrow, six foot thick thread of sandstone, and no one's sure how long it will continue to be around.

‍

Double Arch

Distance | 0.6 miles Elevation gain | 95 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 30 minutes

‍

This is easily one of the most stunning arches in the park and among our favorite views.

And we hesitate even calling it a hike. You can technically see the arch from the parking lot.

But in order to fully appreciate it, you've got to go a short distance down the trail, so a hike we shall call it.

You may recognize this scene from the beginning of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. But that's not the only thing that makes it awesome.

It's the tallest in the park, at 112 feet, and the second longest. The scale is absolutely massive, which will hit you while standing at the base of the arch, or looking at someone sitting in the opening.

And the bridged, double structure is unique, even among the 2,000 documented arches in the park.

‍

The Windows Loop & Turret Arch

Distance | 0.7 miles Elevation gain | 131 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 45 minutes

‍

On the other side of the parking lot from Double Arch, you'll find The Windows Section.

This is one of the most popular and easiest trails in Arches National Park because of how accessible it is.

From the parking lot, it's a modest and gradual climb up toward two clusters of rock formations - the Windows on the left and Turret Arch on the right.

To get the best view of the Windows, go over toward Turret Arch and look back. Then you'll be able to see where they get their name.

‍

‍

Top Tip // Do the full loop on the other side of South Window for an additional 0.6 miles of secluded hiking. It will take you all the way around the back side of the Windows to the parking area, but sees a lot less foot traffic.

‍

Fiery Furnace

Distance | 1.2 - 2.2 miles Elevation gain | 508 feet Difficulty | Hard Duration | 2 - 3 hours

‍

Fiery Furnace is a very unique experience, where you're navigating a maze of passageways and narrow slot canyons with many possible routes and dead-ends. It can only be done by securing a permit or going on a ranger-led tour, which book up quickly.

There's certainly an element of adventure that makes Fiery Furnace more exciting. It's by far the wildest hiking trail in Arches.

While there's not really one single official trail, there are some markers for a counter-clockwise route. But it's totally possible to get lost or turned around inside the towering sandstone fins.

GPS can also be spotty, so if you have any hesitation about safely navigating on your own, consider booking the tour.

‍

Park Avenue Trail

Distance | 1.8 miles Elevation gain | 308 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 1 hour

‍

The Park Avenue Trail is just two miles into the main drive through Arches. It's the first trailhead you'll come to and a great, easy introduction to the park.

As you drive from the visitor center into the very heart of Arches National Park, there are views in every direction. And it's tempting to want to rush ahead to some of the most notable stops, like The Windows, or Delicate Arch, but this one is worth the stop.

The entire trail is downhill one way, so you'll be gaining the full 300 feet of elevation on the way back.

‍

Balanced Rock Loop

Distance | 0.3 miles Elevation gain | 45 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 20 minutes

‍

This has to be one of the most bizarre looking rock formations in the park and it's not even an arch.

You can easily see Balanced Rock from the main road, but there's a short trail that will take you all the way up to the base of it on a paved surface. Then, if you want to go further you can loop fully around it on the unpaved trail.

The view here is pretty breathtaking, with The Windows and La Sal Mountains, which are often covered in snow well into the summer, in the distance.

‍

Sand Dune Arch

Distance | 0.4 miles Elevation gain | 111 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 30 minutes

‍

This is another trail that's so short it barely feels like a hike. It's also quietly overlooked, so for not much effort you can also escape most of the crowds.

Sand Dune Arch is tucked away among some very tall fins, giving it plenty of shade in a place that's known for a lack of cool, shady spots.

We had this place all to ourselves the first time we went and it was a nice, peaceful stroll out to the arch and back and a break from the blazing sun.

‍

Skyline Arch

Distance | 0.4 miles Elevation gain | 36 feet Difficulty | Easy Duration | 20 minutes

‍

Here's one more underrated gem that's a quick stop right before you reach Devil's Garden.

To some, the trailhead might appear to be just a pull-off on the main road. There are only enough spaces for a few vehicles on either side.

You'll get a look at Skyline Arch from the road, but there's a 1/4 mile trail that leads you all the way up to it. This short hike is particularly nice in the evening, as the arch catches the setting sun.

‍

Garden of Eden

Distance | Up to 1.5 miles Elevation gain | 400 - 1,200 feet Difficulty | Moderate Duration | 1+ hour

‍

If you wanted to reach the highest point in Arches - Elephant Butte - you'd need to start at the Garden of Eden.

The path to get there is a technical canyoneering route though, so you'd also need proper equipment and experience. However, you can still go and explore Garden of Eden with nothing more than your hiking boots and some water.

You won't find a trail marked on any official maps.

This is more of a 'choose your own adventure' situation, where you just need to be careful to follow Leave No Trace principles and not get yourself into a spot you can't get out of.

From the parking area, head out on the adjacent slickrock and, staying on previously established footpaths or solid rock, explore the area and its many interesting formations and huge sandstone fins.

There are several named rocks, including Adam and Eve, Devils Golf Ball, and Owl Rock, which is popular with rock climbers.

‍

Tips for Hiking in Arches National Park

We have a few helpful thoughts on planning a trip to Arches, including the best time to go and what you'll need to bring to fully enjoy the hiking.

We'll share a few details below, but if you'd like a full look at a trip to Arches you can read our photo journal of how we spent three days there, or how we'd spend our time as part of a complete Utah national park road trip.

‍

The Best Time to Go

The best time to go hiking in Arches National Park is during the shoulder seasons in either spring or fall.

March, April and May have mild temperatures ideal for being on the trails, but this is also an extremely popular time for visitors, with spring break and holidays producing large crowds.

In September and October the temps make their way back down into the 70s - perfect for hiking - and the crowds will start to thin out.

Summer in Arches and the entire Moab area can be quite brutal. Temperatures rise up over 100 degrees during the day and most trails have little or no shade. If you're planning on hiking between June and mid-September, start around sunrise and plan on being finished before lunch to avoid the heat.

‍

Don't Bust the Crust

If you take a close look at the soil throughout Arches you'll notice it looks a little strange. That's because it's not just any old dirt, it's actually a living microbial community, called cryptobiotic crust.

The bacteria, lichens, mosses, fungi, and algae that live here trap in moisture, supply nutrients to plants, and help prevent erosion.

But when the crust is broken by say, a footprint, it takes several years for it to recover. So even one hiker's steps can significantly damage an important ecosystem within the park.

That's why it's important to always stay on the trails, choose your path carefully, and only step on durable surfaces like solid rock.

‍

‍

What to Bring

There are a few things that are crucial to bring for hiking in Arches, and most of those are directly related to your safety. Here's a quick list of what we'd bring on any day hikes in the park:

// Plenty of water. Get a reusable water bottle or, better yet, a large hydration bladder and bring it on every trail. The sun exposure here is no joke, and your body will thank you for hydrating frequently.

// UV protection. This includes sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, but also clothing. Even though it will be hot, consider lightweight long sleeves, like a sun hoodie. At over 4,000 feet elevation, the Utah sun feels extra intense.

// A good pair of boots. There are plenty of trails in Arches where you'll be walking across slickrock. It's called slickrock for a reason. Especially when it's wet, sandstone can be very slippery. Make sure your hiking boots have plenty of traction and good ankle support.

// A reliable daypack. For carrying your water, snacks, extra layers, and first aid. We personally use and love the Daylite line from Osprey.

// Satellite communicator. We bring the Garmin InReach Mini 2 on any long hikes as added protection. You never know when you or someone else on the trail might need assistance in a place with no cell signal.

// First aid kit. You can put together your own pretty easily with some essential supplies, or just make it easy and buy a pre-made kit. Toss it in your bag and forget about it until you need it.

// Trekking poles. On most of the trails in Arches you wouldn't benefit much from poles. However, we think they'd be good to have on the uphill portion of the Delicate Arch trail to give you a little extra momentum.

‍

‍