Arches National Park in eastern Utah, is a highlight of any trip to the Southwest. The bright red rock against the deep blue sky will help even the most amateur photographer take stunning photographs. Located near Moab, Utah, it is also a haven for adventure travel and adrenaline junkies. Compared to other National Parks in the region, the highlights can be seen within a day or two. If you are short on time, you can drive past many scenic points to snap a quick picture. With more time, make sure to hike to Delevate Arch (the iconic arch on the Utah license plates), and if you are feeling adventurous (and energetic), try a hike through Devil's Garden (8 miles for the long version of the loop, but many highlights can be seen only a mile from the trailhead). Along this hike you will see such wonders as Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Wall Arch (which recently fell), Double O Arch, and Dark Angel.
Hiking Trails
Easy
Balanced Rock - 0.3 mile loop around the base of Balanced rock, one of the more-photographed formations in the park
Broken Arch - 1.2 mile trail from San Dune Arch parking area, a loop trail also leads through canyons and sand dunes.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint - 1 mile climb up a trail to a viewpoint of delicate arch.
Double Arch - 0.5 mile round trip to the base of two arches connected at one end.
Landscape Arch - 2 mile round trip to the longest spanning arch in the park with several other nearby arches.
Sand Dune Arch - 0.4 mile roundtrip trail to this secluded arch.
Skyline Arch - 0.4 mile flat hike to skyline arch.
The Windows - 1 mile round trip trail passing by three large arches.
Moderate
Park Avenue - 2 mile out and back through this spectacular canyon near the beginning of the park where you will see massive formations.
Tower Arch - 3.4 mile round trip trail up a rock wall, across a valley, and through rock fins and sand dunes ending at Tower Arch.
Longer Trails
Delicate Arch - 3 miles round trip hike to Delicate Arch, the iconic arch of the park as seen on the Utah license plates.
Devils Garden Primitive Loop - 7.2 mile round trip past some of the best arches and other formations in the park. This trail offers all of the highlights in the park.
Double O Arch - 4 mile round trip trail past several arches to Double O Arch, where two arches stand: one on top of the other.
Fiery Furnace - a maze of canyons and fins with no specified trail. You must obtain a permit from the visitor center to explore this area.
Easy
Balanced Rock - 0.3 mile loop around the base of Balanced rock, one of the more-photographed formations in the park
Broken Arch - 1.2 mile trail from San Dune Arch parking area, a loop trail also leads through canyons and sand dunes.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint - 1 mile climb up a trail to a viewpoint of delicate arch.
Double Arch - 0.5 mile round trip to the base of two arches connected at one end.
Landscape Arch - 2 mile round trip to the longest spanning arch in the park with several other nearby arches.
Sand Dune Arch - 0.4 mile roundtrip trail to this secluded arch.
Skyline Arch - 0.4 mile flat hike to skyline arch.
The Windows - 1 mile round trip trail passing by three large arches.
Moderate
Park Avenue - 2 mile out and back through this spectacular canyon near the beginning of the park where you will see massive formations.
Tower Arch - 3.4 mile round trip trail up a rock wall, across a valley, and through rock fins and sand dunes ending at Tower Arch.
Longer Trails
Delicate Arch - 3 miles round trip hike to Delicate Arch, the iconic arch of the park as seen on the Utah license plates.
Devils Garden Primitive Loop - 7.2 mile round trip past some of the best arches and other formations in the park. This trail offers all of the highlights in the park.
Double O Arch - 4 mile round trip trail past several arches to Double O Arch, where two arches stand: one on top of the other.
Fiery Furnace - a maze of canyons and fins with no specified trail. You must obtain a permit from the visitor center to explore this area.
Trails
Summary
Difficulty
Distance
Windows Loop Trail
An easy hike to see three massive arches up close in Arches National Park
An easy hike to see three massive arches up close in Arches National Park
Easy
0.7 mi
1.1 km
1.1 km
Devils Garden and the Primitive Trail
Take a tour of the best formations of Arches National Park
Take a tour of the best formations of Arches National Park
Easy
7.2 mi
11.6 km
11.6 km
Delicate Arch
A short hike in Arches National Park to Utah's most recognizable arch
A short hike in Arches National Park to Utah's most recognizable arch
Moderate
3.2 mi
5.2 km
5.2 km
Arches National Park Driving Tour
Drive through Arches National Park and see the highlights along the way, with a few stops for optional hikes to see more
Drive through Arches National Park and see the highlights along the way, with a few stops for optional hikes to see more
14.5 mi
23.3 km
23.3 km
Guides
A short hike in Arches National Park to Utah's most recognizable arch
Take a tour of the best formations of Arches National Park
An easy hike to see three massive arches up close in Arches National Park
Drive through Arches National Park and see the highlights along the way, with a few stops for optional hikes to see more
Everything you need for Arches National Park: several top hikes and a complete driving tour along its highlights
Community Trips
Fiery Furnace is a very cool place in Arches National Park. The formations you are hiking through are called fins. There are no maps available for this section, nor are there trails. In order to go into Fiery Furnace you either go along with a ranger guided tour, or go buy a permit for the area. The only restriction is you have to watch your step. There...
Jake and I hiked up to Delicate Arch. I was brilliant and forgot to turn on the GPS on the way up. Luckily I remembered when I got to the top. Unluckily I hurt my knee on the way back down. Shucks.
It was pouring rain when we got to Arches National Park (even though the average rainfall for June is supposed to be under 1/2 inch). We decided to drive to many of the lookouts so that we could spend more time the next morning hiking. Luckily for us, it didn't rain too much more after we got out of the car.
We woke up Friday morning and drove through the park on a bright and sunny day--much better than the day before. We started off at the Devils Garden Trailhead and stopped at all of the arches along the way: Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Wall Arch (which recently fell), Double O Arch, which we climbed up on, and Dark Angel. We decided to take the long...
This was our first day hike for our trip. On the devils garden trail you will see several arches. These included Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, and Double O Arch. There is a primitive trail you can take back, and on that trail is the Private Arch.
There is also a segment to hike out to Dark Angel. When we went there were some crowds, but as...
This was an easy hike in Arches National Park, Utah. It was VERY crowded.
Delicate Arch
Starting Point: Wolfe Ranch parking area
Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time: 1.5 hours (max. for the whole trip)
Elevation change: 480 feet (146 meters)
Take at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per person! There is no shade.
Open slickrock with some exposure to heights. The first half-mile is a
wide, well-defined trail. Upon reaching the slickrock, follow the rock
cairns. The trail climbs gradually and levels out toward the top of
this rock face....
On my way back from Colorado, I did this short hike to the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah. Since dogs were not allowed on trails in the park, I left my weimeraner Jade in the car. I flew up to the top to snap a few pictures and returned to the parking lot just before sunset.
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