I was lucky enough to visit Arches National Park last year on an epic Utah road trip, and want to share my favourite hikes that I found in the park. This place is truly iconic, with breathtaking beauty and incredibly fascinating history.
From short and sweet to longer and more adventurous, here’s my round-up:
1. Delicate Arch: The Most Iconic
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Trail Length: 5km (3 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 2-3 hours
- Elevation Gain: 480 feet
- Trailhead: Wolfe Ranch
Delicate Arch is a must-see landmark in Arches National Park. The trail spans approximately 5km (3 miles) round trip and showcases stunning views the entire way along, with some cool historical plaques and some fun sections on cut-out rock pathways. You won’t see the Arch until the end, in a kind of “reveal”. It’s a truly breathtaking sight that makes the hike well worth it.
Note: If you want a photo with the arch, be prepared to queue up.
2. Devils Garden Trail (Including Landscape Arch):
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trail Length: 2.5km (1.6 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 1 hour
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Trailhead: Devils Garden
The Devils Garden Trail offers a variety of options to explore. One of the highlights is Landscape Arch, a remarkable natural arch known for its impressive length, with some neat history. The trail takes you through a picturesque landscape, passing by other fascinating rock formations along the way. Depending on the length of your hike, you can choose to venture further into the primitive trail, which offers more adventurous terrain and additional arches to discover.
Note: Tie this trail into the Primitive Trail (see below).
3. The Primitive Trail: My Personal Favourite
- Difficulty Level: Difficult
- Trail Length: 11.5km (7.2 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 4-5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 1,300 feet
- Trailhead: Devils Garden
A more adventurous and challenging hiking experience for those looking to explore beyond the main trail. This was my favourite hike in the park! It branches off from the Devils Garden Trail and allows you to delve deeper into the rugged and untamed landscape. The loop starts at the Devils Garden Trailhead and initially follows the main trail towards Landscape Arch. From there, you can continue on the Primitive Trail, which branches off to the right just before reaching Landscape Arch. As you progress along the trail, you’ll come to some fun technical trail sections, including rocky areas, narrow passages, and the occasional need for light scrambling. Along the way, there are of course, a few more arches, including the stunning Partition Arch and Navajo Arch. After completing the Primitive Trail loop, you’ll reconnect with the main trail near the junction with the Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. From there, it’s a straightforward hike back to the Devils Garden Trailhead, completing the loop.
Note: Carry a map, and be ready for a bit of route finding. The trail is only marked with small clusters of stones, which was an exciting little game but can be tough if you’re not ready to scan the ground for your next clue on where to go.
4. Sand Dune Arch Trail: Most Unique
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trail Length: 600m (0.4 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 15-30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: None
- Trailhead: Sand Dune Arch
This short and family-friendly hike takes you through a narrow slot canyon to a hidden arch nestled within the sandstone walls. It’s relatively easy and accessible, making it a great option for all ages. While short, this hike is totally unique and I’m glad we did it.
5. Balanced Rock Viewpoint and Trail: Best for Sunrise/Sunset
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trail Length: 500m (0.3 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 15-30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Trailhead: Balanced Rock
The Balanced Rock is an impressive geological feature (yes, the park is full of these!) that seems to defy gravity. There’s a short trail that takes you up close to this iconic formation. I’d recommend this as a first stop, for sunrise, as it’s nice to start the day with an easier effort and the early morning light casts a magical glow over the surrounding landscape.
6. Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail: A Short Fun One
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Trail Length: 800m (0.5 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 15-30 minutes
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 40 feet
- Trailhead: The trail starts from the Double Arch parking lot, which is located 25km (15.7 miles) from the Arches Visitor Center at the end of The Windows Road.
This hike leads you to the captivating Double Arch, where two massive arches intertwine. The trail is also relatively short, offering a close-up view of the arches and allowing you to appreciate their impressive scale.
Note: Combine this stop with the Windows trail, as they are close together and you can park in one place.
7. Windows Trail: Best Bang For Your Buck
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Trail Length: 1.6km (1 mile) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 30-45 minutes
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 100 feet
- Trailhead: This trail starts from the Windows section parking lot, which is located 25km (15.7 miles) from the Arches Visitor Center at the end of The Windows Road.
This hike is short but hits some of the nicest views in the park. A gentle climb up a gravel trail leads to the massive North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. Return via the same trail or take the longer primitive route to loop around before returning to the park lot.
Note: Combine this stop with the Double Arch trail, as they are close together and you can park in one place.
8. Corona Arch: Bonus Hike Nearby
- Difficulty level: Moderate
- Trail Length: 5km (3 miles) round trip
- Time to Hike: Approximately 2 hours
- Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 feet
- Trailhead: The trail starts from the Corona Arch Trailhead, which is located 23km (14 miles) from downtown Moab on Potash Road.
While not in Arches National Park, Corona Arch is a really neat trail located nearby, accessible from a parking area along Potash Road. The trail takes you through a desert landscape, with views of the Colorado River along the way. The hike includes a short section with chains to assist in navigating a steep incline for a little bit of flair! Once you get to the arch, make sure to walk under it to take in the view from the other direction as well. This is a great place to have lunch, with the backdrop of red sandstone and clear blue skies.
More Information
For more information on Arches National Park such as where to stay, what to pack, and other things to do in the area, check out my posts here:
