Welcome to Arches National Park in Utah! If you’re wondering where to start and how to make the most of your visit, you’re in the right place. Despite being smaller than many other national parks, Arches boasts an impressive array of trails and sights. Home to over 2,000 natural arches, the park offers endless opportunities for exploration. To help you maximize your limited time, we’ve compiled a list of must-do hikes. Follow our guide for the best trails in Arches National Park:
Delicate Arch Trail
Length: 3 miles (round trip)
Trailhead: Delicate Arch Trailhead
Delicate Arch is not only the park’s most iconic landmark, gracing Utah’s license plates, but it’s also one of the finest hikes in Arches National Park. This 1.5-mile (each way) hike takes you through stunning landscapes and can be moderately challenging with its uphill and downhill sections. Be prepared for a narrow pathway near the arch, which might be daunting for those with a fear of heights.
Delicate Arch is especially popular during sunrise and sunset. If you’re planning a sunrise visit, a headlamp is essential. The trail can be tricky to follow in parts, and while there are some reflective markers, they aren’t always sufficient. Pay close attention to the path to avoid getting lost.
For those unable to complete the main trail, there’s a viewpoint about a mile from the parking lot. However, it offers a distant and less impressive view of the arch, so it’s worth attempting the primary trail if possible.
The Windows Trail
Length: 1 mile
Trailhead: Windows Trailhead
One of my personal favorites, The Windows Trail, offers an easy and rewarding hike to three spectacular arches: North Window Arch, South Window Arch, and Turret Arch. This loop trail can be done in any direction and allows you to walk up close to the North Window Arch for some fantastic photo opportunities.
For a slightly different experience, you can take a more primitive trail back to the trailhead and parking lot.
Devil’s Garden Trail
Length: 2 – 8 miles
Trailhead: Devil’s Garden Trailhead
Devil’s Garden Trail is definitely a highlight of Arches National Park. This trail features various fins and several magnificent arches, including Pine Arch, Tunnel Arch, and the popular Landscape Arch. While the initial part of the trail is accessible for most visitors, it becomes more challenging and primitive as you progress.
The more difficult section involves scrambling over slick sandstone and navigating sandy areas. It’s advisable to avoid this part if it has rained recently or if the weather conditions are snowy or slick. Nonetheless, the journey to Landscape Arch and back is well worth the effort.
Fiery Furnace Trail
Length: 2.1 miles
Trailhead: Fiery Furnace Trailhead
Fiery Furnace Trail is one of the few maintained trails that require a permit. This hike takes you through a labyrinth of rock walls, fins, narrow ledges, and sand. Once you begin, you must complete the hike due to its one-way route.
You can only enter with a ranger or a reserved permit from Recreation.gov, with permits filling up quickly. Ranger-led tours are available for $16 per person and can be booked up to six months in advance. Note: A pass for a ranger-led tour negates the need for a timed-entry ticket to Arches.
Good footwear is essential (no sandals allowed), and each person must carry at least one liter of water. Ranger-led tours monitor compliance, but this should be adhered to even on individual permits.
Balanced Rock Trail
Length: 0.3 miles
Trailhead: Balanced Rock Trail
Balanced Rock is one of Arches National Park’s most photographed features. Although it’s visible from the road, the short trail around it offers various vantage points and is worth the brief hike. This route provides excellent photo opportunities, especially when the roadside view is impacted by sunlight.
Park Avenue Trail
Length: 1-2 miles (2 miles round trip)
Trailhead: Park Avenue Trailhead
Walking the Park Avenue Trail, surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, evokes a sense of awe and insignificance akin to strolling New York’s sky-scraping avenues—the inspiration behind its name. This trail, close to Arches’ entrance, offers breathtaking vistas.
For those preferring a shorter route, there’s a viewpoint at the trail’s start. The trail is considered primitive but is fairly easy to follow. Hikers can either do an out-and-back trip or arrange a car pick-up at the Courthouse Towers viewpoint at the other end.
Other Resources
– Guide to Arches National Park: For additional tips and information.
Have you visited Arches National Park? Do you have a favorite hike that we missed? We’d love to hear your stories and any additional advice you might have.