20 BEST Hikes in Arches National Park

Looking for the best hikes in Arches National Park? You’ve come to the right place!

Arches National Park is known for its incredible stone formations and breathtaking views. It’s home to more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, as well as numerous other geological features.

Hiking in Arches National Park is a great way to explore its stunning landscapes, experience an epic Arches sunset, or even see an incredible Arches sunrise.

There’s an abundance of hikes at Arches National park to choose from, ranging from easy strolls to challenging full-day treks.

We’ve done a ton of hiking in Arches National Park, and absolutely love the time spent there each time we go.

No matter which trail you choose from our comprehensive list, you’ll get to experience some of the best hiking Arches National Park has to offer!

Things To Know Before Visiting Arches National Park

Whether you planning to do short hikes in Arches National Park or stay longer and tie in some other adventures like overnight camping or a road trip around Utah there are a few things you need to know beforehand. 

• You can go hiking at Arches National Park all year round, but the best times to visit are in the spring and fall.
• Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on any hiking trails in Arches, although you can have them in the car with you and along major roads and parking areas.

The Best Hikes In Arches National Park

We’ve put together this list of what we think is the best hiking in Arches National Park. We’ve given you everything you need to know so you can get the most out of your visit. The only tough job now is deciding which of these Arches National Park best hikes you’re going to do!

1. Delicate Arch Trail

• Length/Difficulty: Moderate difficulty – 3.2 miles round trip
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From Arches National Park Main Entrance, drive 11.7 miles north on the main road until you see the right-hand turn to Delicate Arch and Wolfe Ranch. Turn right on Delicate Arch Road and drive another 1.2 miles to the parking area where you will also find the trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 550 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 2-3 hours

Delicate Arch is one of the must-do hikes in Arches National Park. The trail begins at Wolfe Ranch and leads to Delicate Arch, a 65-foot-tall freestanding arch. 

This popular route passes by Wolfe Ranch, a primitive homestead built in the late 1800s, and continues through a narrow canyon with stunning views of the rock formations and sandstone fins in the area. 

The best time to hike to Delicate Arch is during the spring when the temperatures are mild and the desert wildflowers are in full bloom.

We recommend hiking in the early morning or late afternoon. This will allow you to experience the spectacular light of sunrise or leave it until later in the day to make the most of one of the best sunset hikes Arches National Park offers.

2. Fiery Furnace

• Length/Difficulty: Moderately challenging – 2.1-mile loop trail 
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the Arches Entrance Road, turn right and stop at the Visitor Center to pick up your permit or ticket for the ranger-led hike. Drive for 14 miles on Arches Scenic Drive and turn right at the signed viewpoint for the Fiery Furnace.
• Elevation Gain: 250 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1 h 8 min

The Fiery Furnace trail is one of the most popular hikes Arches National Park offers to visitors looking for a moderately challenging hike. Because permits are limited for this hike, it’s not as busy as some of the other trails in Arches National Park. You can either hike alone or with a ranger.

This is possibly the best hike Arches National Park suggestions for getting off the beaten path. Although there is an official trail, there is so much to explore here as the region is made up of tightly packed, maze-like canyons and fins.

If you’re a competent hiker, then you’ll be fine doing this hike alone, bring a decent map as the main challenge on this hike is navigating the trail. If you’re not as experienced, but still want to enjoy one of the prettiest easy hikes in Arches, then go with a ranger who will take care of the navigation for you leaving you to focus on enjoying the scenery.

3. Landscape Arch

• Length/Difficulty: Moderately easy – 1.6 miles round trip
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main entrance to the park, drive north on the main road for 19 miles and park in the large parking area at the Devils Garden Trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 40 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hour

Landscape Arch is one of the best arches at Arches National Park. It’s the longest natural arch in the world, measuring 306 feet across and standing just over 290 feet tall – it’s impressive!

What’s more, this is classed as one of the easy hikes in Arches National Park making it a perfect choice for beginners and families. It is a popular attraction, so the trail does get busy with visitors to the area we suggest arriving early in the day or during the week to avoid the crowds. 

Landscape Arch is definitely a favorite of ours, and when you visit, you’ll understand why it’s one of the best easy hikes Arches National Park offers!

4. Park Avenue

• Length/Difficulty: An easy to moderate – 1.8 miles round trip 
• Trailhead/How to Get There:  From the Arches Entrance Road head 2.5 miles north of the visitor center. The lower trailhead is located on the north side of the road.
• Elevation Gain: 314 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1 hr

Another one of the more popular hikes in Arches National Park is the Park Avenue Trail. Despite this being relatively short and one of the Arches’ easy hikes, there’s a lot to see here. This scenic hike takes you through a deep canyon between towering red sandstone walls that look like a city street, hence the name. 

This is one of the best Arches National Park hikes for families with adventurous or slightly older children. The hike is not strenuous, however, it does have some moderate elevation changes. Along the way, there are plenty of viewpoints to see the formation of the canyon walls and the towering spires.

You’ll also be able to see the iconic Balanced Rock and Courthouse Towers while doing this trail. This is one of the best Arches National park short hikes that take in some of the most spectacular scenery in the area.

5. Windows Loop 

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 0.7-mile loop trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the park entrance, drive approximately 9 miles until you reach Balance Rock, then turn right at Balanced Rock and drive another 3 miles following signs to the Windows.
• Elevation Gain: 314 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1.5 hrs

The Windows Loop is one of Arches National Park’s best trails for beginner hikers thanks to it being a short hike with only moderate elevation gain.

Because of how easy it is to access, this is a popular hiking trail so arrive extremely early if you want to explore the place by yourself. The Windows Loop is a great place to discover the unique geology of Arches National Park, and to take in the stunning scenery.

The Windows Loop trail is an incredible spot for photography and we had so much fun photographing the place when we were there last spring!

Not only is this one of the easiest Arches National Park hikes, but it’s also one of the most iconic. The loop takes hikers through some of Arches’ most famous features including the spectacular Double Arch, the Garden of Eden, and the Parade of Elephants.

6. Devil’s Garden Loop Trail

• Length/Difficulty: Challenging – 7.2 miles out-and-back
• Trailhead/How to Get There: Drive north for 19 miles along the main road of the park entrance to the large parking area called Devil’s Garden Trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 1,085 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 4 hours

The Devil’s Garden Loop Trail is classed as the most challenging hike on our list due to the rugged and rocky terrain. But it’s also one of the best day hikes in Arches National Park!

This is one of Arches’ best trails for experienced hikers who are used to navigating tough landscapes with a fair amount of elevation gain. We recommended sturdy footwear and walking poles to make the most out of the hike. 

Despite it being challenging, it’s worth it for the views. This is one of the best hikes Arches National Park offers to anyone looking for a bit of a challenge.

You’ll be able to see some of the most famous arches including Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, and Double O Arch, plus a variety of other rock formations along this trail.

Devils Garden was by far our favorite hike we did in Arches National Park and we can’t wait to go back and do it again!

7. Double Arch

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 0.6-mile out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the park entrance, drive 9.2 miles north on the main road until the fork. Take the right fork for 3 miles to the Windows Parking Area. Continue driving for about a quarter mile to the Double Arch Parking Area.
• Elevation Gain: 30 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 25 minutes

Not only is this one of the easiest hiking trails at Arches National Park, but the Double Arch is also one of the most iconic. If you’re a beginner or have children in tow, this is one of the Arches National Park must-do hikes thanks to how accessible it is.

Double Arch is located in the southern part of the park and is made up of two impressive curved sandstone arches standing side by side. The opening between the two arches measures about 120 feet wide and the tallest arch stands about 104 feet tall.

Because this is one of the best easy hikes in Arches National park, it is a popular trail. Expect it to get crowded at weekends and holidays. We suggest visiting early in the day before going on to do one of the other Arches National Park day hikes. 

8. Sand Dune Arch Trail

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 1-mile out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the entrance of Arches National Park, turn right onto Arches Scenic Drive and drive for 16.7 miles. There is a parking area on the right signed Sand Dune Arch parking lot. 
• Elevation Gain: 0
• Estimated Hiking Time: 20 minutes

Sand Dune Arch Trail is a great choice if you’re with young children or looking for easy trails in Arches National Park. 

This is one of the best short hikes in Arches National Park and the out and back again trail can be completed in less than half an hour. Because it’s accessible to all, the trail can get busy at times, so we suggest arriving early for a more tranquil hike. 

What makes this one of the Arches’ top hikes is that you can enjoy views of not only Sand Dune Arch, but other natural formations such as Balanced Rock and the Windows formation with minimal effort.

9. Tower Arch

• Length/Difficulty: Moderately challenging – 2.4-mile out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main Park Entrance, drive 16.7 miles north to Salt Valley Road. Turn left into Salt Valley Road and continue for 7.7 miles to the fork. Take the left fork and drive 1.3 miles to the Klondike Bluffs trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 305 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours

The Tower Arch Trail is one of the best hiking trails Arches National Park offers thanks to its winding route that meanders through some of the most spectacular sandstone formations.

Along the way, you’ll have the chance to see views of the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, and the surrounding desert.

Because the route is a little more challenging than others listed in this article, you’ll benefit from there being fewer crowds. This is definitely one of the best Arches National Park hikes for anyone who enjoys being immersed in nature and hates dealing with all the crowds.

10. Klondike Bluffs

• Length/Difficulty: Moderately challenging – 13.0-mile out-and-back trail 
• Trailhead/How to Get There: There are two trailheads for Klondike Bluffs. Find the South Trailhead 14 miles north of the Colorado River Bridge. The North Trailhead is another 7 miles past the South Trailhead turnoff. Both trailheads are signposted from Hwy 191.
• Elevation Gain: 920 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 4 hours 40 minutes

The Klondike Bluffs trail features a stunning landscape of sandstone cliffs and canyons as well as towering spires, pinnacles, and beautiful vistas. Thanks to the diverse landscape, this is one of the best hiking trails in Arches National Park for photographers.

Despite this being a moderately challenging trail, it’s still incredibly popular. There is a reasonable elevation gain, however, the views from the Klondike Bluffs are worth the effort. You’ll be rewarded with views of the Colorado River and La Sal Mountains and the desert.

11. Balanced Rock

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 0.3-mile loop trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the visitor center, drive up Park Avenue for 9.2 miles, where you’ll see the turnout for Balanced Rock. 
• Elevation Gain: 35 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 20 minutes

One of the best family hikes Arches National Park offers is the iconic Balanced Rock. This is one of the most well-known landmarks at Arches National Park. 

The hike features a 55-foot tall sandstone pillar balancing precariously on a small base. It is located near the Windows section in the park. This is one of the more easy hikes Arches National Park has, you technically don’t need to even hike the trail to see it, as it can be spotted from the nearby parking lot. 

Balanced Rock is estimated to be around 128 million years and was originally called “the Totem Pole” by locals. It was officially named Balanced Rock by the National Park Service in 1932. 

It really is a remarkable natural wonder offering one of the best hikes in Arches National Park making this a popular attraction. As we’ve said a bunch already in this article so we’ll assume you’re catching the trend – arrive early to avoid the crowds!

12. Partition Arch

• Length/Difficulty: An easy 2.8-mile out-and-back trail 
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main entrance, drive along the main road for 18.0 miles. You’ll find the trailhead for Partition Arch at Devil’s Garden trailhead.
• Elevation Gain:  469 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1 h 18 min 

If you’re looking for hikes in Arches with impressive rock formations, then we recommend Partition Arch. (I mean, most of the rock formations in the park are pretty impressive, but this one might be even more so!)

This incredible natural arch is one of the largest arches in the park, measuring over 33 feet high and 70 feet wide. 

This is one of the most popular short Hikes Arches National Park offers to people looking to camp nearby as it is located just two miles from the Devil’s Garden Campground. It’s also a great hike for photographers wanting to capture an arch during golden hour or wake up early for an epic Arches sunrise.

13. Navajo Arch

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 2.9-mile out-and-back trail 
• Trailhead/How to Get There:  From the main entrance, drive along the main road for 18.0 miles. You’ll find the trailhead for Navajo Arch at Devil’s Garden trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 492 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 1hr 21 mins

Navajo Arch is one of the top hikes Arches National Park offers visitors looking for an easy trail set within an outstanding landscape. This impressive Navajo Arch is situated in the Fiery Furnace area of the park. 

Standing about 30 feet tall, this is one of the best trails in Arches for photographers thanks to its unique shape set against the desert backdrop. This Arches National Park trail is popular, so we recommend (once again) setting out early in the day to avoid crowds.

14. Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint

• Length/Difficulty: Moderately challenging – 0.5 mi out and back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main entrance drive north 11.7 miles to Wolfe Ranch Road. Turn right and drive 2.8 miles to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail.
• Elevation Gain: 171 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 40 minutes

Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint is a moderately strenuous trail that climbs up a steep path to an upper viewing point of Delicate Arch. You’ll be able to view the iconic arch across the canyon.

It’s worth noting that you cannot actually hike to Delicate Arch on this trail, you’ll need to take the Delicate Arche route from Wolfe Ranch to access it.

This is a relatively straightforward Arches hike via a short, paved walkway. What makes this trail slightly challenging is that it’s an uphill hike to get to the viewing point, however, you’re rewarded for your efforts with stunning views of the red rock landscape. 

From the top, you’ll also be able to see Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and the Windows making that a great spot to get some great panoramic photos. Get there for sunrise and sunset for the best photos when the rocks glow.

15. Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 200ft out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main entrance drive north 11.7 miles to Wolfe Ranch Road. Turn right and drive 2.8 miles to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail.
• Elevation Gain: 0 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 10 minutes

This short and flat Arches National Park hike is one of the easiest ways to see the most iconic arches in the park.

This is one of the best trails in Arches National Park for anyone with limited mobility or wheelchairs. The trail is on a wide hardened surface and there is no elevation gain making it accessible for everyone. 

16. Courthouse Wash Panel Trail

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 0.8 out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: 2 miles south of the Arches Entrance road on US 191 there is a small turn off on the north-hand side of the road. This is the trailhead where you can hike the short distance to the panels.
• Elevation Gain: 60 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 30-60 mins

This easy trail will lead you to an incredible panel of petroglyphs left here by indigenous travelers. To get to the panel you will walk across a small bridge and up a short trail.

Historically this spot of the Colorado river used to be crossable, making this a very important place back in the day. The large and colorful pictographs and petroglyphs here displays evidence that people crossed here for 1,000s of years.

Archeologists think that Archaic-era Indians first painted sections of the paintings between 1,500 and 4,000 years ago.

In the 1980s the panel was vandalized, and to this day you cannot see the original colors of the paintings due to restoration. Please NEVER touch rock markings, as oil from your hands can ruin the paintings.

17. Skyline Arch

• Length/Difficulty: An easy 0.4-mile out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the main visitor center, drive 17.5 miles north on Park Avenue. The trailhead for Skyline Arch starts from a turnout located about half a mile from the end of the road at Devils Garden.
• Elevation Gain: 3 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 10 mins

Another easily accessible Arches trail is to the Skyline Arch. It’s a relatively flat, well-maintained short trail.

Skyline Arch features a huge 71-foot-long and 33.5-foot-tall natural arch. This is one of the Arches National Park Hikes best trails for beginner hikers or if you have older children in tow, they will love exploring the area.

You’ll be able to walk among the boulders that have fallen from the arch and are scattered on the ground below.

18. Broken Arch

• Length/Difficulty: An easy 1.2 mi loop hike
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the park entrance, drive north for 19 miles to the Devils Garden Campground. At the far end of the campground, park along the small loop near the trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 59 ft 
• Estimated Hiking Time: 45 minutes

Another one of the popular and easy hikes at Arches National Park is the Broken Arch trail.

This is one of the top hikes to do in Arches National Park if you’re new to hiking or you have young children in tow, as it’s short with a low level of elevation gain with plenty of points of interest along the way. 

The well-recognized sandstone arch formation gets its name from a narrow ‘broken’ looking section in the middle of the arch.

19. Pine Tree Arch

• Length/Difficulty: Easy – 1-mile out-and-back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: Drive to the Devil’s Garden Trailhead from the main entrance. From here follow the trail for ¼ mile to the well-marked turnoff for Pine Tree and Tunnel Arch. Go right and stay left for another ¼ mile.
• Elevation Gain: 197ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 30 minutes

This is one of the top hikes in Arches National Park if you want to be immersed in a beautiful grove of pine trees. 

The arch is located in a relatively secluded spot, nestled among the juniper and pinion pines, unlike many of the other hikes we mention in this list that have the backdrop of the desert. In comparison, this one feels almost fairytale-like.

20. Double O Arch

• Length/Difficulty: A moderately difficult 4.2 mile out and back trail
• Trailhead/How to Get There: From the park entrance, drive north on the main road for 19 miles. Park in the large parking lot at the Devils Garden Trailhead.
• Elevation Gain: 360 ft
• Estimated Hiking Time: 2 hours

Another of our favorite hiking trails in Arches National Park is the Double O Arch trail. The hike to Double O arch is 4.2 miles long out-and-back trail. 

The arch here is pretty unique and features a double opening formation, hence the name. Its location in a valley surrounded by spectacular sandstone fins and towers makes this a great spot for photographers as well as anyone interested in geology. 

The Best Hikes In Arches National Park Itinerary For One Day

Depending on your walking speed, you can do a few hikes on the same day. Here’s our recommendation for a full-day itinerary. It features three of the best hikes to do in Arches National park. 

• Start with Park Avenue, which is an easy-to-moderate 2-mile trail that takes you through a narrow canyon and offers views of the La Sal Mountains, Balanced Rock, and the Courthouse Towers. 
• Next, do the Delicate Arch trail, which is one of the most iconic hikes in Arches National Park. It’s a 3-mile moderate trail with a few steep sections. The views of the arch and surrounding terrain make it worth the effort.
• If you still have the energy, finish off with the 2.5-mile Fiery Furnace trail. The Fiery Furnace is a unique landscape of sandstone canyons, arches, and spires.

Arches National Park Hiking Tips

Here are our top tips for hiking Arches National Park:

• Pack plenty of water – Arches is located in a desert and temperatures can soar in the summer months. Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks to stay hydrated and energized during your hike.
• Wear the right clothing – Dress appropriately for the weather and use sunscreen, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. The best hiking shoes for Arches National Park need to be sturdy, ideally with ankle support as well as have a decent tread. 
• Bring a map – Familiarize yourself with the trails and terrain before you start your hike. A map is a must-have to ensure you stay on the right path.
• Stay on the trails – Respect the environment and stay on the marked route to avoid damaging vegetation. Arches are home to a variety of wildlife, respect their habitats, and do not disturb them. 
• Check the weather – Check the weather conditions before you start your hike and speak to check with any park rangers if there have recent rainfalls or landslides.
• Let someone know your route – Tell a friend or family member where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Best Time To Visit Arches National Park

The best time to hike Arches National Park is in the spring or fall. The temperatures are milder during these times, and the crowds tend to be smaller. That also makes it a little easier finding a place to stay in Moab.

Also, the park is at its most vibrant during these seasons with the desert wildflowers blooming during the spring and the fall foliage providing a colorful backdrop.

How To Get Around Arches National Park

There are several ways that you can access the Arches National Park trails. The most popular option is to drive and use your own vehicle to explore the park. The main road, Arches Scenic Drive, is a paved road that leads to the main attractions. 

A lot of people decide to visit Arches National Park on an epic road trip from Las Vegas or other large cities in the area. Renting a campervan in Las Vegas or Phoenix is our absolute favorite way to explore the Southwest!

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If you’re flying into an airport nearby Arches and want to rent a car instead, we recommend using Discover Cars, we have had the best luck with them and always find great prices.

If you don’t want to drive, then you can use the shuttle service that runs throughout the park. It stops at all of the main attractions, making it an easy way to explore.

Other ways to get around the park are by biking. Bikes are allowed on the paved roads in Arches National Park and there are also some bike-friendly trails.

You can also book guided tours of the park or go on a ranger-led tour to gain a more in-depth look at the park’s history and geology.

What To Pack For Hiking At Arches National Park

If you’re planning to hike in Arches National Park, make sure you’re properly equipped. Here’s our list of things we always pack for hiking.

• Clothing: Light, comfortable, and breathable layers (e.g. t-shirts, hiking pants, and a light jacket)
• Hiking boots or shoes
• Hat and sunglasses
• Rain jacket, poncho, or something to act as a windbreaker
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
• Water bottle or water bladder
• Comfortable daypack
• Trekking poles
• Compass and multi-tool
• Flashlight or headlamp, emergency whistle
• Food, such as energy snacks
• First-aid kit and insect repellent
• National Park Map or GPS or navigation device

Where To Stay Near Arches National Park

There are some great places to stay near Arches National Park suitable for every style of traveler. To get the most out of your Arches hiking, we suggest staying at least one night in the area. Here are three options we recommend. 

• Red Cliffs Lodge – This rustic lodge offers a variety of lodging options including cabins, suites, and rooms. It’s located 19 miles from Arches National Park.
  
• The Gonzo Inn – This hotel is located just 2 miles from Arches National Park and offers a variety of accommodations including rooms, suites, and apartments.

Camping In Arches National Park

To make the best of Arches National Park, it’s so worth it to try and snag a campsite inside the park! Camping in the park is a great way to get close to nature and experience the night sky and sunrise. 

You can go backcountry camping inside Arches, but you will need a permit to do so. Devil’s Garden campground can accommodate RVs 20-40 feet in length and you can make reservations up to 6 months in advance.

There are numerous campgrounds located outside of Arches near or in Moab. Our top choice is Moab Valley RV Resort & Campground which is just 5 miles from the entrance to Arches National Park.

Whichever way you decide to camp, it is important to remember to practice Leave No Trace principles while camping in Arches National Park. This includes packing out all your trash, burying/packing out human waste, and respecting wildlife.

Best Hiking Arches National Park FAQ

Here are the answers to the most asked questions we hear from readers interested in hiking Arches National Park. 

Wrap-Up: Arches National Park Best Hikes

So, which ones on this list do you think are the best hikes at Arches National Park? It’s a tough choice as they are all gorgeous and worthy of visiting.

Our suggestion is to start early in the day and try to do a few of them to discover your favorite one for yourself!