Nestled in adventurous southern Utah, Arches National Park is just waiting to blow the minds of people all over the world.

With over 2,000 natural arches in the park, it’s hard to see everything here in just one trip! So, where does one start when planning their epic adventure here?

In this post, we’re here to share with you the most popular hikes in Arches National Park and give you a wide variety of options for all skill levels.

We wanted to put this information in one info-packed post so you don’t have to go searching all over the internet for ideas and inspiration for your next epic adventure. So, let’s get started!

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10 Amazing Hikes In Arches National Park

 

1. Delicate Arch

The trail to Delicate Arch is one of the most popular hikes in Arches National Park. It requires a 3-mile round trip hike to get up-close-and-personal to the arch, but the hike is worth it.

This hike is considered “difficult” because of the lack of shade and the potential for slippery rock in bad weather. There is also a steep cliff to traverse at the end right before you reach the arch.

There are easier options to view Delicate Arch – though, they are from a distance. Drive past the Wolfe Ranch parking lot to reach the upper and lower viewpoint areas.

The lower viewpoint is only 100 meters from the parking lot, while the upper viewpoint requires a 0.5-mile hike.

Read More: Hike Delicate Arch During Sunrise To Beat The Crowds

 

 

2. Devil’s Garden Loop

This primitive trail is a 7.2-mile loop that showcases 7 unique arches like Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, Wall Arch, Double O Arch, and Landscape Arch.

Some people only hike up to Landscape Arch and turn around, but if you decide to continue on you will see a lot of unique arches in the park that many don’t experience.

Take plenty of water on a hot day, and if it’s been raining or snowing, consider another day. The rock can be extremely slippery when wet!

If you aren’t up for doing the entire 7.2-mile loop, the easy alternative is going to Landscape Arch and turning around.

This is a 2-mile out and back trail that is relatively flat and accessible to all levels of hikers!

Click here to find a detailed trail map for this hike.

 

 

3. Fiery Furnace

The Fiery Furnace trail gets you inside a maze of narrow canyons for an up-close look at the towering sandstone pillars and walls.

To do this hike, you must go on a ranger-led hike or obtain a permit. You can easily pick up a day-use permit at the visitors center.

Inside, they highly recommend you follow the marked trail signs because visitors frequently get lost in the sandstone labyrinth. Make sure to carry lots of water and prepare to spend a few hours exploring this hike in Arches National Park!

 

4. Double Arch

The trail to Double Arch is an easy 0.5-mile well-maintained loop, accessible from the parking lot of the Windows area.

When reaching Double Arch, you can climb up to peer on the other side of the arch, or explore the bowl underneath.

You can climb around in a sort of open-cave like structure for amazing views from above. Read about another arch in a cave on a hike to Soldiers Pass in Sedona!

This is less of a hike and more of a walk so you’ll find a lot of children and families here because of the convenience of the parking lot!

Click here to learn more about how the double arches formed!

Parade of Elephants (see the ‘elephants’ behind us?) 

 

5. Sand Dune and Broken Arch

The trail to Sand Dune Arch is a 0.3-mile trail through deep sand to reach the secluded arch. This is a great hike for all skill-levels, and visitors can walk right next to the tall sandstone walls.

To extend the trail, you can continue walking to Broken Arch, which makes the trip a 1.7-mile out and back loop. Interestingly, Broken Arch isn’t actually broken, though it has considerable wear.

These two arches are great options for easy and beautiful hikes to take in Arches National Park!

Click here for a closer look at the trail map.

See Another Natural Arch: 5 Amazing Hikes To Take In Sedona, Arizona

 

6. Windows Loop

This easy 1.2-mile loop connects three stunning arches in the park. This is one of the most popular loop hikes in Arches National Park because of the accessibility and relatively short trail, and the concentration of formations in one place.

If you’re not looking for a strenuous hike, or if you have a limited amount of time to spend in the park, make this area a priority!

Turret Arch is the smallest of the three, but it’s surrounded by a castle-like formation with stairs leading right under the arch, making it an appealing attraction.

From Turret Arch is a great view of both the North and South Windows. This place is also popular for night photographers.

The North and South Windows are easy to reach and you are able to stand under the huge arches.

Click here to see the full loop trail that connects the three arches.

 

7. Landscape Arch

Spanning 306 feet long, Landscape Arch is the longest natural arch in the world!

This arch can be seen as part of the Devil’s Garden loop trail, and it is located at the end of the manicured trail – any farther and you’ll be taken on the long and strenuous 7-mile loop.

In 1991, a car-sized piece of rock fell from Landscape Arch in the night. This is a normal occurrence as erosion breaks down the arches in the park. However, you can no longer stand directly under the arch for obvious safety purposes.

Make sure to visit this arch in the park before erosion takes it for good!

Click here to learn more about the trail to Landscape Arch.

 

8. Skyline Arch

Skyline Arch is less than a half a mile from the trailhead (you can practically see it from the main road). The parking lot is actually just a pullout, enough for maybe 3-4 cars on either side.

The name of this Arch is self-explanatory – it’s on the skyline!

This hike can easily be paired with Landscape Arch because they are both located in the proximity of the Devil’s Garden Loop and are both short enough to accomplish within a few hours time.

Click this link to discover more about the Skyline Arch and nearby trails.

 

9. Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is a formation that consists of a large boulder balancing on a smaller piece of mudstone. Eventually, the bottom will erode enough to topple over the top rock, but until then, enjoy the easy hike to the base!

The hike is a quick and painless 0.3-mile hike, which means you’ll see a lot of children and families taking the trek to the bottom of the pillar.

Very little physical exertion is required, but it’s fun to get up close to see this natural wonder.

Read this article from All Trails for more information on the trail.

 

10. Park Avenue

This 1-mile stretch at the beginning of the Arches National Park is sure to leave a lasting impression. The trail leads you through a small canyon full of unique sandstone towers.

All the monoliths have clever names and it’s fun to discover how those came to be.

Names like the Three Gossips, Tower of Babel, Sheep Rock, The Organ, and The Courthouse are sure to make your imagination run wild!

Click here to read more features of the rocks you can see on the Park Avenue Trail!

Map of the Hikes In Arches National Park

Below we’ve attached a map of hikes in Arches National Park to help you orient yourself around the area. All the hikes are labeled, and we hope it can help you plan out your hikes in Arches National Park!

Have you ever experienced the hikes in Arches National Park? Which one was your favorite? We’d love to hear your story in the comments below!

 

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