Windows Loop Trail

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Arches National Park

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.7 miles / 1.1 km
Duration: 1 hour or less

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Overview: This short hike is a great way to first see the park on foot. The entire trail is gravel and there is only a very slight gain of elevation. First head to North WIndow where you can walk under the arch and stare up and the massive rock above. Then loop around to the South Windows where you will see a couple more arches. These windows are higher up so you cannot walk underneath them. Finally, finish with a guide stop at Turret Arch and a look through the arch to the formations behind it.

Tips: To get there, drive 9 miles into the park from the main entrance until you reach Balance Rock, then turn right at Balanced Rock and drive another 3 miles. Follow signs to the Windows and park in the parking lot near the trailhead.

Because this hike has such great scenery it is often overcrowded, so it is best to attempt early in the day or later in the afternoon. These are also better times to walk around the WIndows because it is cooler, and if you hike around the golden hours (around dawn and dusk) the rocks will turn shades of orange and red you never thought possible.

Points of Interest

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Parking and Trailhead

Follow the turn off at Balanced Rock for another 3 miles and you will reach the Windows parking lot. Park your car and walk along the level gravel path for about 1/4 a mile until you reach the first of the massive arches: North Window.

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North Window

North Window is the first arch you reach on this loop, and probably the largest. You can leave the path to climb up underneath the arch and stare up at the rock above you (don't worry, it probably won't break while you're below). When you are ready, get back on the path and continue along, taking the fork to the left to see the South Windows.

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South Windows

While not as massive as North Window, the South Windows still deserve attention. The arch is higher than the first one, so you cannot climb up to it (it's high up, steep, and can be hard to get back down). Leave the path to get a closer look.

When you are ready, join up with the path to visit the final arch in this section: Turret Arch.

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Turret Arch

The final and furthest arch (if you are going clockwise around the loop) is Turret Arch. climb up to the arch for a great view of the strange rock formations framed by this massive arch.

While hiking back, look back at the North Window and South Windows for a great view through both of them with the desert plateau in the background.