8 Amazing Hikes in Arches National Park You Won't Want to Miss
Arches National Park is a hiking and mountain biking wonderland in southeast Utah that houses the largest concentration of stone arches in the world. As you drive through this relatively small park, stacks and walls of stone in orange and reddish hues stand tall among the quiet stretches of biological soil crust that protect the land from erosion. In the distance past the dry air and desert vistas the La Sal Mountains are capped with white snow that settlers once mistook for salt.
In this post, I’ll give you a list for some great hikes you can do while visiting. This way you can fully immerse yourself in nature, and experience the namesake “arches” that made this stretch of land so special.
Just For Fun Park Tees
It’s always fun to get a tank or tee with the National Park name on it for photos. If you purchase an item, I receive a small commission at no added cost to you. Thank you for supporting this travel blog with your purchase!
#1 Delicate Arch Trail
Delicate Arch is the largest freestanding Arch in the park and also made “famous” by Utah license plates. This is a popular hike because the Arch itself is so stunning, standing at 52 feet high and miniaturizing anyone who stands near it. This is a must-see if you’re visiting Arches, but it’s a moderately challenging 3 mile hike.
The best time to view the arch is all it’s glow is at sunrise or sunset. At sunrise the sun comes up behind the arch and it’s a bit less crowded. At sunset you get the sun’s light on the front side on the arch, a better option in my opinion, but there will be more people. Read more
3 miles roundtrip out and back trail
Moderate hike with an elevation change of 600 ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: If you’re unable to do this hike, there is an alternate viewing point a short walk from the parking lot at Lower Delicate Arch Trail. This would be best to view at sunrise, but it’s a much further viewpoint.
#2 Devil’s Garden Loop Trail
This is the most challenging hike in Arches, but the reward is high! All in all, you’ll get to view 7 unique arches along this trail. This is my 2nd favorite hike next to Delicate Arch. The views all along this trail are spectacular, and the adventures you’ll encounter along the way are A+. Don’t attempt this hike past Landscape Arch if you’re afraid of heights, get lost easily, or aren’t in good hiking shape. Read more
8-9 miles roundtrip loop trail (depends on if you get lost or not)
Challenging hike with an elevation change of 1085ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: Alternatively you can take a shorter route to see 4 of the 7 Arches, cutting this hike down to 3 miles. I recommend this route if you’re afraid of heights or not super athletic or agile. The “primitive trail” is really well, primitive. There’s a lot of rock scrambling and some sections that are for a more advanced hiker.
#3 Double Arch Trail
This is one of the easiest trails in the park at just over half a mile. The payoff for this short trek is stunning. A massive burnt orange double arch eroded from sandstone. This is much larger in person than it looks in images.
.06 miles roundtrip out and back
Easy hike with an elevation change of 95ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: It’s best to pair this hike with the Window’s Loop Trail (#6), they are both short hikes and start from the same parking lot.
Just For Fun Park Tees
These tees are unnecessary for hiking, but it’s always fun to get a tank or tee with the National Park name on it for photos. I found these Tees on Etsy.
#4 Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Trail
Sand Dune Arch is unique to the other arches with it’s pinkish hue, creating the pink sand below it. You don’t have to go far from the parking lot to view this rosy arch. If you want to make a hike of it, trek further to see the Broken Arch. Broken Arch is not broken, but has a crack right down the center line of the top. You actually walk through it to continue on the loop trail.
Even though this hike is only 2.8 miles, a good portion of that is sand which makes it a bit more strenuous than you would think.
2.8 miles roundtrip loop trail
Moderate hike with an elevation change of 321ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: I wanted to reiterate that an alternate option if you’re tired is to just see Sandstone Arch, .3 miles from the parking lot.
#5 Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a burnt orange labyrinth of sandstone canyons that is (very) easy to get lost in. This trail will take you to slot canyons, small coves cut from sandstone, and surprise arches… but you’ll to explore off trail every now and again to find these hidden gems. There is technically a trail, but the arrows are small brown signs that blend into the canyon, so you have to keep your eyes peeled if you want to eventually escape the maze. Read more
A permit is required for this hike, and you’ll have to watch a video at the visitor center to inform you of the rules
2.1 miles roundtrip loop trail (sometimes longer if you explore some of the off shoots, or get lost)
Challenging hike with an elevation change of 492ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
#6 Windows Loop
This is a popular hike since in a short amount of time you’ll get to see several interesting features.
1.2 miles roundtrip loop trail
Easy with an elevation change of 154ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: It’s best to pair this hike with the Double Arch Trail (#3), they are both short hikes and start from the same parking lot.
#7 Balanced Rock
If you’re done seeing arches, check out Balanced Rock. It’s right off the highway as you drive through the park. You can take a quick .3 mile loop around the rock formations, or just view it from the parking lot.
.3 miles roundtrip loop trail
Easy with an elevation change of 55ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
Note: You can see this right at the turnoff for Double Arches and Windows
#8 Corona Arch & Bowtie Arch Trail
Corona and Bowtie Arch Trail outside of Arches National Park about a 15min drive from Moab. I’m adding this to the list as an alternative in case you don’t get a timed entry permit into the park (these are now needed to limit numbers). You don’t need a permit or a park pass to do this hike and it’s quite stunning! A great plus is you’ll rarely see people along the way, making it easier to snap a photo or just enjoy the meditative silence. Read more
Note: This hike is outside Arches National Park and a great alternative if you didn’t get a permit for park entry
2.4 miles roundtrip out and back trail
Moderate with an elevation change of 482ft
Easy parking and bathrooms at the trailhead
You could spend a month in the this region of Utah and find something new to do each day, but for any weekend warriors here's a list of great activities.
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Booking.com for the best hotel deals
Get Your Guide to book a variety of tours and activities
Expedia for flights, hotels, rental cars and more.
Herschel for nice luggage that’s made to last
Looking for some cute hiking clothing? My favorite hiking clothes are from Vuori. They are super soft, quick dry and comfortable.
