13 Awesome Trails to Hike Arches National Park

Nestled in the beautiful state of Utah is Arches National Park. Even though the park has more than 2,000 natural arches, everyone is uniquely shaped. One of the best ways to discover the beauty of the natural arches is to hike Arches National Park.

Most of the hiking in Arches National Park is short and accessible to all types of visitors, which makes it possible to admire various arches in different sections of the park in a short amount of time.

In this post we have laid out some of our personal favorites, as well as the park’s most popular trails to hike Arches National Park, to help you make your own choice of which best hikes in Arches National Park to do. We will also share advice for the best hiking experience, what to pack, where to stay, and more.

Our Other Resources for Arches National Park

• Hike to Delicate Arch
• How to See Arches National Park in One Day
• How to Save Money with the America the Beautiful Pass

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Getting to Arches National Park

The closest airports to Arches National Park are Salt Lake City International Airport in Salt Lake City, Utah (3h 45min) and Grand Junction Regional Airport in Grand Junction, Colorado (1h 40min).

The closest town is Moab, which is located 5.5 miles away from the park’s entrance. It is a great base to explore Arches National Park and maybe even the nearby Canyonlands National Park.

If you are interested in a Utah National Park Road Trip, check out the driving distances to the other Mighty 5 National Parks:

• Canyonlands National Park to Arches 30 miles, 32 minutes
• Capitol Reef National Park to Arches 141 miles, 2 hours 15 minutes
• Bryce Canyon National Park to Arches 271 miles, 4 hours
• Zion National Park to Arches 309 miles, 4 hours 30 minutes

How the Arches National Park Timed Entry System Works

As of April 3, 2022, Arches National Park implemented a temporary pilot timed entry ticket system to help with traffic and improve visitor experiences. 

Now to enter the park from April 3 through October 3, you will need a timed entry ticket, photo ID, and either a National Park pass or you have to pay the park’s entrance fee. 

First come, first serve tickets are available 3 months in advance. The ticketed entry times will go from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

Visitors with a backcountry, camping, Fiery Furnance, or other booked activities will not need a timed entry ticket. 

To find out more information on how to purchase a timed entry ticket for Arches, visit the park’s website for the most up to date information.

Hike Arches National Park: The List of Best Hikes

These 13 best hikes in Arches National Park are sorted from easy to difficult. Some are just a step away from the parking lot, while others will take you a couple of hours to complete.

1. Balanced Rock

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.3 miles
Type of Hike: Loop
Elevation Change: Very little
Trailhead: Balanced Rock – off of Arches Scenic Drive
Time: 20 minutes

See this large boulder resting on another massive rock up close, by enjoying a nice, easy stroll around the base of Balanced Rock formation. You will begin on a paved path until you reach the viewpoint to overlook the Windows section of the park. Just continue following the trail, and you will walk around the base of Balanced Rock on a gravel pathway.

Although this may not be the most exciting trail to hike Arches National Park, however, it does showcase one of the most iconic features in the park.

Top Tip: If you don’t mind seeing Balanced Rock from a distance, and rather hike other Arches trails, you can just spot the unique rock formation from the Scenic Drive.

2. Sand Dune Arch

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.3 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 100 feet
Trailhead: Sand Dune Arch parking lot
Time: 20 minutes

Sand Dune Arch is a hidden gem in Arches National Park pinched between the fins of sandstone rock. The sandy trail runs through two rows of sandstone fins to the arch. This is one of the shortest hikes at Arches National Park at 0.3 miles round trip which only takes about 30 minutes or less. 

It is a nice trail to hike in Arches National Park because it is shaded which gives you a break from the sun on a hot day. 

3. Skyline Arch

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.4 miles
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: very little
Trailhead: Devils Garden Road – Skyline Arch Parking Area
Time: 10 – 20 minutes

Skyline Arch also had a dramatic change to its appearance in 1940 when a large piece of rock fell from the arch. This incident immediately doubled the size of the arch.

To see this formation, which got its name from being high up against the sky, you just have to take this well-defined, short, and easy Arches National Park hike.

One of the best times to visit Skyline Arch is near sunset as the sun illuminates the face of the arch in bright orange color.

Top Tip: If you have limited time, you can also decide to view these arches in Utah from the road and take one of the other short Arches National Park trails instead.

4. Double Arch

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.5 mile
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: about 100 ft
Trailhead: The Windows Road
Time: 20 minutes

Located next to The Window’s trail is the even shorter Double Arch trail. It is an absolute can’t miss landmark when you hike Arches National Park. A mainly flat gravel trail brings you to the base of 2 natural arches that are connected at one end.

Double Arch is the second longest and tallest natural arch in the park. As you approach the base of these magnificent arches look up and take in the feel of how high these arches soar into the sky.

Double Arch was one of our favorite National Park arches. The arch itself is impressive but the fun part is that you can even climb into the window of the arch to enjoy the view of the desert landscape on the other side from above.

5. The Windows

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.0 mile
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: 187 ft
Trailhead: The Windows Road
Time: 45 minutes

Take in the beauty of the landscape when you hike Arches National Park on this quick gravel trail to one of the most scenic parts of the park, The Windows.

Along the 1 mile trail, you will view 3 arches in Utah, North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. You can even stand underneath these iconic natural wonders, enjoying them from different perspectives.

When you don’t feel like going back to your car yet, you can continue hiking at Arches National Park to Double Arch and the Parade of Elephants, a rock formation that features a herd of elephants holding each other’s tails.

Even though you won’t find solitude on this trail, due to the quick and easy access, this trail should be on your list to hike Arches National Park.

6. Landscape Arch

Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.9 miles
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: very little
Trailhead: Devil’s Garden
Time: 1 hour

Head to the Devil’s Garden to see the longest natural arch in the park and one of the longest in the world. That alone makes it to one of the best hikes at Arches National Park. Another perk is the hike to Landscape Arch is easy due to the little to no elevation gain, even though walking along the densely packed sandy path can get a little exhausting after a while.

Along the trail, there is the possibility of taking a side trail to Tunnel Arches and Pine Tree if you are interested in seeing more of the natural arch formations when you hike Arches National Park.

Natural elements, like wind, rain, and ice, cause erosion, making this national park with arches change a lot during the centuries. Landscape Arch was impacted by these changes several times too. In 1991 a large section of rock fell from the bottom of Landscape Arch, making it unsafe to stand directly under the arch anymore. Nevertheless, this is an iconic attraction, you can’t miss when hiking at Arches National Park.

TOP TIP: If you want to feel the thrill of walking on a narrow natural arch, you should check out our detailed hiking guide for Devils Bridge in Sedona, Arizona.

7. Broken Arch

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Difficulty: Easy
Length: 2.0 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Change: about 150 feet
Trailhead: Sand Dune Arch parking lot
Time: 1 hour

Broken Arch is located in the same area as the Sand Dune Arch and starts at the same trailhead. Broken arch is far less visited, which gives you more solitude when you hike Arches National Park.

The Broken Arch trail is also a great addition to hiking Arches National Park when you have some extra time. Unlike its name, Broken Arch is not actually broken. It gets its name from a large crack. 

From the trailhead, take the longer trail to Broken Arch. A cool feature of the hike is the trail continues right through the arch. Make sure to take a look at the arch from both sides. 

8. Park Avenue Trail

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 2.0 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 300 feet
Trailhead: Park Avenue Viewpoint
Time: 1.5 hours

The Park Avenue trail begins at the Park Avenue Viewpoint parking lot. It is the first viewpoint along Arches Scenic Drive from the Visitor Center.

From this viewpoint, take the stairs down into the canyon floor and start hiking in Arches National Park along the dirt path which descends into the wash. As you continue on the trail you will pass by large towering sandstone formations.

The trail ends at Courthouse Tower Viewpoint located along the Scenic Drive, which is about 1 mile from the Park Avenue Viewpoint. If you have someone with you who didn’t hike they could pick you up here, otherwise, you will have to turn around and hike Arches National Park back the way you came. 

9. Tower Arch

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 2.6 miles
Type of Hike: Out and Back
Elevation Change: 600 feet
Trailhead: off Salt Valley Road
Time: 2.5 hours

Hike Arches National Parks off the beaten trail to Tower Arch located in the Klondike Bluffs area. The trail leads through a secluded valley with red rock formations before reaching Tower Arch. 

To reach the trailhead, you have to drive 8.0 miles down a dirt and sandy road. From the start, the trail takes a quick steep climb up a rocky cliff to a ridge. Make sure to pay attention to the cairns to stay on the trail. 

Once you make it to the top of the ridge, catch your breath and enjoy the views of Salt Valley. Then the Arches National Park hike will slowly descend into a valley of beautiful sandstone formations. After a 1 mile descent, the trail crosses over a wash before taking a climb up a sandy hill which eventually turns into an easier walk. 

After making it to the arch and exploring the area for a little, you will have to retrace your steps back to the trailhead.

10. Delicate Arch

Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 3 miles
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: 480 ft
Trailhead: Delicate Arch Road – Parking Lot
Time: 2.5 – 3 hours

Visiting Arches National Park’s most popular and photographed arch is a must. Does the arch look familiar to you? Since it is the state’s symbol, you might have seen it on Utah’s license plates before.

This trail is harder than most of the other best hikes in Arches National Park as it is a steady uphill climb, unshaded to the sun, with some steep drop-offs next to the trail. Nevertheless, we would consider the hike to be moderate rather than difficult.

The only way to catch a close-up, personal glimpse of this natural wonder is to hike Arches National Park on the Delicate Arch Trail. If you prefer to get an easier view of Delicate Arch, drive past the Wolfe Ranch parking lot, and take a short trail that leads to a distant viewpoint overlooking Delicate Arch.

This is a must-do Arches National Park hike.

11. Double O Arch

Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 4.1 miles
Type of Hike: Out and back
Elevation Change: 490 ft
Trailhead: Devils Garden
Time: 2.5 hours

Double O Arch, resembling two arches stacked on top of each other, is located on the Devils Garden trailhead behind Landscape Arch. Whereas your hike to Landscape Arch is easy, continuing to Double O Arch will be a little more challenging.

It will require you to climb up and over large sandstone slabs of rock along narrow ridges and steep drop-offs.

If you are up for more adventures, you can follow the Devils Garden Primitive Trail, making it a 5.8-mile round trip when hiking at Arches National Park. Watch out not to miss the rock cairns, marking the trail. Besides all the thrill you will experience on this trail, you will also get rewarded with 8 natural arches, which not many of your fellow hikers will experience.

Top Tip: If you like this trail, you may also like the heart-racing Angels Landing Trail. Read more about How to Hike Angels Landing in Zion National Park in our detailed hiking guide.

12. Fiery Furnace

Difficulty: Difficult
Length: Various depending on your route
Type of Hike: Various depending on your route
Elevation Gain: Various depending on your route
Trailhead: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

Hike Arches National Park’s most challenging section, the Fiery Furnace.

This trail will have you twisting and turning through a narrow network of sandstone canyons, and boulders. Don’t take the Fiery Furnace section lightly. It is a demanding trail that requires navigating yourself through tight areas on difficult terrain. Follow the marked trail and try not to get lost in the maze-like design of the landscape.

Before heading out on one of Arches National Park best hikes, you must obtain a day-use permit or register for a ranger-led guided hike in the Visitor Center.

Since the permits and guided hikes can sell out quickly, try to get your tickets in advance. If you’re not experienced in navigating yourself, we would recommend booking the ranger-led guided tour. It is also a good choice when you want to learn more about the geology of Arches National Park.

Top Tip: If you like the twists of boulders and fins in the Fiery Furnace, then you might be interested in getting up close with hoodoos. Hoodoos are thin, spiral rock formations you can find in the nearby Bryce Canyon National Park.

13. Devil’s Garden Trail  

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Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 7.9 miles
Type of Hike: Loop
Elevation Change: about 1,000 feet
Trailhead: Devils Garden
Time: 4 – 4.5 hours

The Devils Garden area of Arches National Park is located at the end of Arches Scenic Drive. It is a very popular area loaded with iconic arches, spires, and a large concentration of fins, which are narrow rock walls. 

Hikers have the choice of a variety of Arches National Park trails ranging in length and difficulty to choose from. Hiking the entire Devils Garden Trail is one of the best trails to hike in Arches National Park because it has it all, especially for adventurous hikers. 

Along the way, you will see 8 arches, do a little rock scrambling, hike past interesting sandstone features, and have fantastic views of the park. 

More Things to do than Hike Arches National Park

• Drive the Arches Scenic Drive
• Stop at the viewpoints
• Catch a sunset
• Stop at the Visitor Center
• Go Stargazing

What to Pack to Hike Arches National Park

Daypack – A daypack is essential when you hike Arches National Park. Try out the comfortable lightweight Deuter Speed Lite daypack. It is our choice when hitting the trails in Arches. 

Water Bottle – Keep your water cool by bringing an insulated water bottle. We always carry our Hydro Flask water bottles with us.

Comfortable Hiking Boots – One of the worst things when heading out for the best hikes in Arches National Parks not having comfortable footwear. For hiking in Arches, it is best to use over-the-ankle hiking boots because they provide you with good support on the more rocky and difficult terrain.

Hiking Socks – Our favorite high-quality hiking sock brands are Falke (German brand) and Darn Tough (US brand).

Camera & Accessories – Don’t forget to pack a camera to capture all the memories on Arches National Park hikes. Our essential camera gear is our Olympus OMD Em Mark ii, the Rollei travel tripod, a camera remote, and our Peak Design capture clip.

GoPro – Film your exciting hikes and other adventures with a GoPro. One of our favorite hands-free GoPro accessories is the P.O.V Kit to clip our GoPro right on the backpack.

Sun Protection – There are different essentials to protect yourself from the sun when you hike Arches National Parks.

1. Hat – A hat is always an easy way to protect your face from the sun. A personal favorite is The North Face Horizon Folding Bill Cap since you can easily fold it up to take up less space.
2. Sunglasses – Try out the lightweight stylish outdoor sunglasses by Goodr. These are the perfect sunglasses for any outdoor adventure.
3. Sunscreen – Always be on the safe side by using sunscreen, even when the sun is hiding behind the clouds.

First Aid Kit – A first aid kit is a must-have on every hike. If you should get injured, it is good to have the basics to treat yourself.

Snacks – It is always good to bring some snacks, like nuts and seeds, dried fruits, or granola bars. That will give you an energy push during hiking in Arches National Park.

How to Get Around

The best way to travel in Arches National Park is by car. This national park is very easy to navigate through since there is only one entrance and one main road (Arches Scenic Drive).

You will need approximately 1 to 1.5 hours to finish the Scenic Drive till the end. Some smaller roads off the main road will lead you to more secluded areas with extra trailheads.

The Visitor Center is located right behind the entrance. A quick stop is always a great idea to get more information about weather conditions, and possible trail closures, and to pick up a map of the park.

Don’t have your own car?

There are no shuttle services or public transportation in the park, but you can explore Arches National Park by bicycle or book a commercial tour. If you are interested in a commercial tour, check out the Moab Adventure Center and find the tour which suits you best.

What is the Best Time of Year to go to Arches National Park?

Spring and Fall – Similar to the other Mighty 5 national parks, Arches National Park can be visited in all seasons, but the most popular time of year is spring (April-May) and fall (September-October). During these seasons daytime temperatures are the most enjoyable to hike Arches National Park and to experience other outdoor activities. Temperatures range from 60-80 degrees.

Summer – We visited Arches National Park in the summer and it was hot. Temperatures can reach 100 degrees during the day. If you want to enjoy some of the longer, more difficult Arches hikes, we would highly recommend starting them early in the day and bringing lots of water. Most of those hikes are unshaded and walking around in the harsh midday sun is not a fun experience.

Winter – If you want to avoid the crowds and you don’t mind hiking in colder weather, the winter is a great option to hike Arches National Park. Expect temperatures to range from 30 to 50 during the day. December offers the most moderate temperatures in the winter and is also the snowiest month of the year. To see a dusting of snow on the red glowing arches is a very special experience, we can’t wait to see it in person.

How Many Days Do You Need in Arches?

We had limited time when we visited Arches National Park, but managed to see the majority of the park with our planned 1-day itinerary. Of course, the amount of time you actually need will depend on what you would like to see in the park and which best hikes in Arches National Park you want to explore. If you want to take the longer, more strenuous Arches hikes, we would recommend spending about 2 days exploring the park.

Here is a quick overview of what you can accomplish in 1 to 2 days:

1 Day – Experience all the popular features in the park at a relatively fast pace. We would suggest driving along Arches Scenic Drive, hiking the Delicate Arch Trail, and explore some of the shorter Arches National Park hikes, like the Landscape Arch Trail, Double Arch Trail, or Balanced Rock Trail.

2 Days – See the park’s major features at a much slower pace, visit harder-to-reach areas of the park, such as the Fiery Furnace, and hike Arches National Park’s longer trails like Double O Arch.

Tips for Experiencing Arches National Park

1. Start Your Day Early

We aren’t always morning people, but we like to start our day as early as we can when visiting a national park. Getting an early start on seeing and exploring the beautiful untouched lands of America’s national parks before the crowds roll in is priceless. In the summer, arriving at the park in the early morning also helps to avoid hiking in the midday sun.

2. Stay Hydrated

Make sure to pack enough water to hike Arches National Park. Remember the hotter the temperature and the longer the hike, the more water you will need.

Learn more about Hydration Basics to make sure you are packing enough liquids for your hike!

3. Protect Yourself from the Sun

Remember, Arches National Park is located in the desert with very little shade. Protect yourself from the hot sun rays when hiking Arches National Park with sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and sun protection clothing. Don’t let sunburn ruin your experience.

4. Stay on the Trails

Especially when hiking to Delicate Arch, Double O Arch, or in the Fiery Furnace area, it can be a little tricky to stay on the trail but do your best to not stray from the designated hiking trails. You can also watch fellow hikers to find your way back to the trail when you got a little lost.

5. Use a personal car to get around

There is no shuttle service to bring you around in this park. The use of a personal car is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient way to get around in Arches National Park. If you don’t have a vehicle, you have to book a private tour with an outside company.

6. Bring your own food and drinks

There is no food or drink sold within the park, so make sure you are prepared with all the snacks and drinks you will need for your visit. The closest place to buy food and drinks is in Moab. You will also find cute little restaurants in this charming town.

If you need to fill up your water in the park, you can use either the water filling station at the Visitor Center or at the Devils Garden Trailhead.

7. Leave No Trace

Anytime you visit a United States National Park or just enjoying the outdoors it is important to remember to follow the Leave No Trace principles. Respect and appreciate nature, so that future generations can enjoy the same beauty. Please recreate responsibly.

Where to Stay

Inside the National Park

Accommodation inside Arches National Park is very limited. There is no lodging and only 1 campground, which is located in Devils Garden, 18 miles from the entrance.

Campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis from November to February. Between March and October reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. The campsites fill up quickly, so make sure to book your spot in advance.

Outside the National Park

The closest and best place to spend the night is in Moab, Utah. It is conveniently located just a few miles outside of Arches National Park. Here, you will find tons of accommodations to choose from. It is also a perfect, charming place to end your day by having a nice dinner and a refreshing drink.

Here are our top 3 picks:

Camping: Sun Outdoors Campground
This was our choice when we stayed in Mob to explore all the National Parks. It is a great and affordable campground for travelers who are interested in RVing or tent camping. They have really nice bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities.

Motel: The Virginian Motel

Unique Hotel: Under Canvas Moab

List of Best Trails to Hike in Arches National Park

1. Balanced Rock
2. The Windows & Turret Arch
3. Double Arch
4. Landscape Arch
5. Skyline Arch
6. Sand Dune Arch
7. Broken Arch
8. Park Avenue Trail
9. Tower Arch
10. Delicate Arch
11. Double O Arch
12. Fiery Furnace
13. Devil’s Garden Trail (full length) 

Did you hike Arches National Park in one or more days? What is your ultimate favorite arch in the park?

Share your experiences with us or drop a question in the comments below!

Our Other Resources for Arches National Park:

• Hike to Delicate Arch: The Must Do Trail in Arches
• How to See Arches National Park in One Day
• How to Save Money with the American the Beautiful Pass

Other Resources for (Utah’s) National Parks

• BRYCE CANYON: Best Bryce Canyon Hikes for Your Bucket List
• CANYONLANDS: The Best of Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park
• CAPITOL REEF: Explore 10 Striking Capitol Reef Hikes in the Fruita District
• ZION: 11 Best Hikes in Zion National Park
• ROAD TRIP: Explore Utahs National Parks in One Unforgettable Road Trip
• ROAD TRIP: Plan a Trip from Zion to Bryce Canyon: 2 Utah National Parks
• HIKING: 15 Most Helpful Hiking Apps to Download
• HIKING: What You Should be Packing for a Hike: The Essentials + Extras
• HIKING: 100+ Best Gifts for Hikers to Buy
• NATIONAL PARK: 34 Best West Coast National Park + Western U.S. Parks that Will Blow Your Mind
• NATIONAL PARK: A Complete National Park List by State + Downloadable Checklist and Map
• NATIONAL PARK: First Hand Ranking of National Parks in USA from Best to Worst

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