Top 10 Hiking Trails In Arches National Park, USA

1. Delicate Arch Trail

Paving the way to the largest free-standing arch in Arches National Park, embarking on the Delicate Arch Trail is on top of everyone’s to-do list when visiting Arches National Park. The hike begins at the Wolf Ranch and it is near a large parking area right off of the main park road. This 3-mile (4.8km) round trip takes most people around 2 to 3 hours and has 480 feet (146 meters) of elevation gain. The park rates this hike as “difficult”, although it is continually visited by people of all age groups and different hiking skill levels all year round. Temperatures can go very high during the summer months, so it is advised to skip the hike at midday if you are visiting from June to August. The most suitable periods for hiking are in the spring and fall where the temperatures are cooler, or during sunrise or sunset, when the light from the rising/setting sun casts the arch in a beautiful color.

Delicate Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Arches National Park

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

2. Devils Garden Loop Trail

The Devils Garden Loop Trail is a highly popular trail despite being rated as difficult. The trail is located in the northernmost part of Arches National Park and it is known for its stunning sceneries, with many rock formations and beautiful wildflowers. It is a 6.8-mile (10.9-km) hike that leads you through the 7 Arches, including the famous long, narrow “fin” formations. It eventually leads to Landscape Arch, which is one of the largest natural arches in the world and after which, the road becomes significantly steeper. You will then be led through Wall Arch, then up to Navajo and Partition Arch. About halfway to the Landscape Arch, you can also choose to take a short side trail which will lead you to the views of the Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. During winter, the rocks can get icy and slippery, hence ice cleats are needed.

Devils Garden Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Devils Garden Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

3. Double Arch Trail

The Double Arch Trail is a flat, sandy trail that is suitable for various skill levels of hiking. This 0.8-mile (1.2-km) round trip leads to the base of a stunning twin arch formation, the larger of the two being 112 feet (34 meters) tall and also the tallest arch in the park. Geologists believe that this unique formation began as a pothole of water on the surface overhead, where the collected water broke down the rock over the years, eventually forming an alcove and creating the two arches. Explore this relic that has been intricately carved and shaped over thousands of years! Along the hike, you will also pass a unique sandstone formation known as the Parade of Elephants while ascending 125 feet (38 miles) to the Siamese spans. The trail offers a good many opportunities for photographs, so do take your time to experiment with the different angles and lighting to get the perfect picture.

Double Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Double Arch Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

4. Fiery Furnace Trail

If you are a thrill-seeker and love adventure, this hike is for you. Known as one of the most popular and most challenging hikes in the park, the Fiery Furnace hike spans a roughly 2-mile (3.2-km) route between narrow, maze-like canyon walls. For first-timers, however, the National Park Service highly recommends joining a ranger-led tour due to the difficulty of the terrain and for the protection of the fragile ecosystem that exists between the canyon walls. If you decide not to join a ranger-led tour, the park requires you to obtain a hiking permit in order to enter the Fiery Furnace. For safety purposes, all members of your hiking party have to be present upon the issue of a permit and you must watch a short orientation video before you begin on your journey. Do be aware of its demanding nature, and access your abilities carefully before you decide to embark on this hike.

Fiery Furnace Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Fiery Furnace Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

5. Landscape Arch Trail

The Landscape Arch Trail leads to the longest arch in Arches National Park - the Landscape Arch. Recognized by NABS as the fifth-longest natural arch in the world and the longest outside China, hiking 1.56 miles (2.5km) to see this towering giant is definitely worth the trip. The hike is about 30 to 60 minutes long depending on the individual and it is rated as easy. The trail is hard-packed, although at the beginning of the trail there would be some short, steep climbs that would require assistance for wheelchair users. After the view of the Landscape Arch, the trail changes to a sandy surface. Following bad weather or snow, the road may become muddy or uneven and during winter, the road may become icy and slippery, hence it is recommended to bring traction devices for hikers.

Landscape Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Landscape Arch Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

6. Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail

Known as a very photogenic trail, this 1.2-mile (1.9-km) loop trail features three impressive arches, beautiful flowers and stunning scenery. It leads to the gorgeous Turret Arch which is known to change its color according to the position of the sun, which makes a good opportunity for a unique photo. It is also said that early mornings and late afternoons are the best times to photograph the Turret Arch for its best color.

Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail

Address: Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Website: Arches National Park Visitor Center

Price: 10 USD

7. Double O Arch Trail

The Double O Arch Trail leads to the second longest arch in the park, Double O Arch. As the name suggests, the trail features two arches, one large spanning 71 feet (21.6 meters), stacked atop a smaller arch with a span of 21 feet (6.4 meters), both siblings of a sandstone fin. Located at the far end of the Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop, the trail is 3.9 miles (6.3 km) and moderately trafficked. It goes 1.93 miles (3.1 km) past the Devil’s Garden and parking lot at the north end of Arches Entrance Road. Its difficulty level is rated moderate, which gives its hikers an easy start but becomes more challenging later on in the trail.

Double O Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Double O Arch Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

8. Sand Dune Arch Trail

The Sand Dune Arch Trail is a 0.3-mile (0.5-km) road that is highly popular among its visitors. It features beautiful wildflowers and is suitable for all ages. The trail is accessible all year and is often used for walking, hiking and birdwatching. This trail leads through deep desert sands, in between beautiful sandstone fins and to a gorgeous secluded arch where you and your children can pose for good pictures.

Sand Dune Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Sand Dune Arch Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

9. Tower Arch Trail

Located in a more secluded area behind the Klondike Bluffs, Tower Arch Trail is only 2.5 miles (4km) long and is less than half a mile from the park border. The trail gains just over 100 feet (30.5 meters) in elevation, but the consistent variation in ground level will give you a greater workout than what the elevation suggests. It has light traffic and hence you will enjoy the personal time and space this trail has to offer.

Tower Arch Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Tower Arch Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

10. Elephant Butte Trail

Elephant Butte Trail is about 1.6 miles (2.6 km) long with moderate traffic. This loop trail is definitely for the more expert climber as it is rated as difficult and requires rock climbing knowledge and equipment. Named after its unique elephant-like shape, the butte placed you at the highest point in the park, offering stunning views of the rocky landscape and also making it good for bird watching. It is best hiked from April until September, partly because of the slippery ice during Winter. Rappelling is necessary to complete the trail.

Elephant Butte Trail

Address: Utah, United States

Website: Elephant Butte Trail

Opening hours: 12am - 11:59pm (daily)

Price: 10 USD

An experience like no other

Explore one of mother nature’s greatest treasures! Whether you are a lone traveler or going with your family, visiting one of Arches National Park’s trails will never fail to leave you in awe and wonder. Use our list above to select the best trail for you.