The 6 Best Hikes in Arches National Park: Complete Guide

Arches National Park was our initial stop on our Utah National Parks Road Trip, and it didn’t disappoint. We spent five days in the Moab area (psst – here is precisely how to spend 4 days in Moab) and camped in Arches for three of them.

We spent sunrises exploring the various arches around the park, watching the golden-red hues brought out by the sun rising over the horizon before heading out on an early morning hike, relaxing at camp in the middle of the day, and going back out for sunset.

Below are our top picks for the best hikes in Arches National Park based on our personal experience hiking in the park. We completed nearly every trail on the list, except for one (Park Avenue) where we ran short on time.

Trails suitable for all ability and fitness levels are available, so an ideal hike can be found to incorporate into your schedule. We were particularly fond of Arches National Park, and think you will appreciate it as well.

Important update for 2022: Arches has enacted a timed entrance pass system during peak periods to manage crowds. Below the guide to Arches National Parks hiking, you’ll find a brief outline on acquiring reservations for your trip.

PS: Planning a journey to Arches? Don’t miss our guide to how to invest one perfect day in Arches National Park, which possesses all the information you need to plan an amazing trip.

Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.

Tips for Hiking in Arches National Park

There are a few things that are good to know before you visit Arches National Park. If you have another query that you don’t see the answer to below, you might find it over in our Moab itinerary, which covers Arches.

If not, contact us directly – we’re always pleased to provide assistance!

Here are some quick pointers for visiting Arches, specifically to go hiking.

Entrance Fees

To enter the park, you’ll need to either pay the $35 admission charge, which covers access for your vehicle and the individuals within it for 7 days, or present a valid America the Beautiful Pass (which is the US National Parks Permit).

Should you purchase the America the Stupendous Pass? If you will be visiting three or more national parks in the following 12 months, the pass will preserve you money. It costs $80 for a year, and it’s adequate for 12 months from the date you obtain it. If you’re visiting Arches National Park as a part of a broader Utah National Parks road trip, it presumably makes sense to obtain it. You can obtain it from REI.

Stay Hydrated, My Friends!

Due to the heat, it is important to drink plenty of water. We are very fond of our extremely lightweight and compact Platypus water bottles, which have literally accompanied us all over the planet, including during our Utah adventure. Each of us carries two of those bottles, and on more extended hikes, I generally also transport their 70 oz water bottle as well.

The Sun is Intense

Even if you are not visiting Arches National Park during the hottest part of summer, the sun will still be very powerful. Using sunscreen and wearing a protective hat for your head can significantly reduce the chances of experiencing heat exhaustion or severe sunburns. We are big fans of Sun Bum products because they leave your skin smelling refreshed, like it was soaked in coconut milk. Here is the sunscreen for body we recommend, and here is the sunscreen suitable for the face.

A Comfortable Daypack is Essential (Around 20L)

When preparing for hiking excursions, don`t forget to bring a daily carrier! You`ll need a hardy daily carrier to transport water, snacks, and extra layers, specifically if engaging in one of the lengthier routes below. Approximately 20L should be sufficient, and we appreciate carry packs produced by Osprey.

Alysha has personally used the Tempest 20 backpack before and would continue to purchase and use it again in the future, and the equivalent men`s version that would be highly recommended based on Alysha`s experience and my other encounters with Osprey backpacks would be the Talon 22 (which I do not myself have access to, but would sincerely recommend based on the described experience).

Sturdy Footwear is a Must

You`ll be traveling primarily on some combination of loose soil, gravel, and occasionally along slick rock surfaces, so you`ll want footwear with good traction. We particularly like Adidas Terrex Hiking Shoes(Alysha has almost solely trekked in them over the past seven years), Keen Hiking Boots (the Keen Targhees are my preferred hiking boot), and Alysha recently obtained a pair of the Columbia Newton Ridge hiking boots, which are a superb blend of style, affordability, and quality.

The Best Hikes in Arches National Park: A Complete Arches Hiking Guide

Exploring the many hiking trails in Arches is one of the best activities to do in Moab, and brings millions of visitors to the area each year.

There are numerous Arches National Park hikes available, and most are fairly short and easy. If time permits, we highly recommend doing both of the top two hikes on the list below – Devils Garden and Delicate Arch.

The one thing worth keeping in mind is that it can take a considerable amount of time to travel from the entrance of the park all the way to some of the trailheads near the end of the road – specifically the Devils Garden trailhead. Fortunately, there’s ample parking available, though it still fills up around the middle portion of the day.

The Delicate Arch Trail

• Length: 3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 500 feet
• Trail Type: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trailhead Location

This is probably the most popular hike in the park, and for good reason. The payoff – amazing Delicate Arch – is worth the short climb to get there. It’s so beautiful that it made it onto the Utah license plate.

Abundant parking is at the trailhead, though full capacity could be hit at sunset between May and October. Sunset gives the best lighting though fewer crowds and more solitude come at sunrise. For most of the year the sun rises behind the arch, so photos won’t be great in the morning as it backlights it.

All that being said, if we had to do it again, we’d do it at sunrise to have it to ourselves alone.

From the parking lot, you’ll start a quite gradual ascent up a well maintained trail. About half way through, you will encounter a rock surface that isn’t particularly steep, but can be slippery after rain. There’s no indicated trail here, so follow the cairns (which I guess is a indicated trail?). Continue along the sometimes narrow trail until you emerge onto the bowl with Delicate Arch at the far end.

The descent takes you back the way you came – be cautious along the slick rocks on the downhill.

The Devils Garden Loop (Primitive Trail)

• Length: 7.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,100 feet
• Trail Type: Loop with side path
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Trailhead Location

Without question, this was our favorite hike within Arches National park.

Along the way, you’ll probably lose track of how many different arches you come across (there are eight, if you include Black Arch off in the distance).

On the return section of the loop, which you should do clockwise, you`ll follow the primitive trail, which we found to be quite enjoyable. It involves some scrambling, some walks across sheer rock faces, and some hiking through narrow canyons. Overall, we`d recommend doing this trail as a loop, but if the aforementioned makes you uneasy, you can always do it as a single direction trail, which follows the more developed path.

The hike originates at Arches National Park`s road end opposite Devils Garden Campground. Camping there, as we did enjoyably, means an easy walk to the trail head.

You’ll initiate with a gentle climb – do the brief side path to see Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch – that leads you to Landscape Arch just under a mile in.

Then, you’ll climb steeply through a canyon and arrive at the junctions to detour to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch, which you should undoubtedly explore. After the two brief diversions, continue along the primary trail to Double O Arch, where you’ll transition onto the clearly marked rugged trail for the return to the starting point.

We don’t recommend doing the extension out to Dark Angel – we weren’t particularly impressed with it.

This hike is long distance, and very exposed to the elements. Be sure to bring enough provisions and drinking water, and apply sunscreen multiple times to avoid heat exhaustion.

The subsequent hike presents a variation of this route heading out to Landscape Arch and back, which qualifies as uncomplicated.

Landscape Arch

• Distance: 2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 300 feet
• Trail Type: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead Location

This hike is a straightforward out-and-back route taking you along the Devils Garden Trail out to Landscape Arch, a long and slender arch that is an impressive sight and makes one wonder how on earth it stays intact without falling. It’s a relatively easy hike accessible for most hikers, including families with children.

On the return trip, do the brief side excursion to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch, which are just off the main path to the left (if you’re heading back to the parking lot).

Broken Arch & Sand Dune Arch

• Duration: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Increase: 200 feet
• Trail Style: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead Spot

This hike begins from the Sand Dune Arch trailhead, and initially takes you through a shaded canyon to Sand Dune Arch, and then along a more exposed trail out to Broken Arch. It took us some time to understand why Broken Arch received its name – it’s because there is a crack running down the center of the arch, which does not make walking beneath it feel COMPLETELY safe.

You can also travel this route by starting from the Devils Garden Campground, and following a loop that heads to Broken Arch with a brief detour to Sand Dune Arch before returning to the campground. That hike spans 2.5 miles.

The Windows + Double Arch 

• Length: 1.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 200 feet
• Trail Type: Two Loops
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trailhead Location

The Windows and the Double Arch Trail are accessed from the same parking area, so it makes sense to do them at the same time. We did them at sunrise, and the views were stunning. No matter the time of day, there will likely be many people since it`s one of the most visited parts of the park due to its accessibility, so be prepared for large crowds.

The hike itself is more of a brief walk along a well-traveled route guiding you to a handful of our favorite arches throughout the entire park. From the parking area, head upwards to the North and South Windows, offering you an intimate view of the rock structures giving the park its title.

There’s a great perspective from the opposing side of the North Window, where you can see the window in the foreground, and Turret Arch suitably framed within the arch in the background. After the Windows, circle around to Turret Arch, which is a few hundred feet away.

After you’re finished on that side of the parking lot, head across the way to Double Arch, which is just a quarter mile away on a wide gravel trail.

The Park Avenue Trail

• Length: 2 miles
• Elevation gained: 300 feet
• Trail type: Out-and-Back
• Difficulty: Easy
• Location of the trailhead

This is the hike in Arches National Park that we didn’t get to complete – we simply lacked enough time more than anything else. This hike begins from the Park Avenue Trailhead, which is the closest access point to the park`s entrance, and takes you approximately 300 feet down into a scenic canyon.

The payoff, aside from the views from within the canyon along the way, is a view of the Courthouse Towers from a different angle than the one we got from the road. You’ll descend into the canyon on the way out, then climb back up on the way out.

Arches National Park: Navigating the New Timed Entry System

Starting in 2022, Arches National Park has launched a test of a new timed entry system similar to models implemented in places such as Rocky Mountain National Park and Glacier National Park to address huge increases in visitor numbers.

According to the National Park Service, the number of visitors to Arches has significantly increased over the past ten years, growing more than 65% from approximately one million tourists annually to well over 1.6 million.

Therefore, when we visited Arches National Park during the off-peak period, congestion from approximately 10:00 am to 2:00 pm meant we were unable to enter the park, even with a camping reservation in hand.

In 2022, if planning a visit between April 3 and October 3, you will require a timed entry authorization (one per vehicle) to access the park between 6:00 am and 5:00 pm.

The intent here is to lower crowding during the busiest parts of each day. You do not need a reservation to enter the park outside those hours (read below to understand one of the major impacts of this alteration).

An exception exists for individuals with a reservation to camp at Devils Garden Campground, the sole and premier campground within the park, or a backcountry permit. Both provide entry to the park. An exception also applies to people with a Fiery Furnace reservation.

How to Make a Timed Entry Reservation for Arches National Park

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Reservations for a specific entry time can be made by visiting Recreation.gov.

Reservations are made available in three month blocks three months in advance, with tickets for a given month released together.

That’s perplexing, we comprehend. The blocks initiated January 3rd, 2022, when tickets were released for the months of March and April. On February 1st, 2022, the tickets for May will be issued. On March 1st, 2022, the tickets for June will be issued. And so forth.

Tickets will be made accessible on the first day of each month at 8:00 am in the Mountain time zone for the subsequent three months.

There is a $2 per ticket reservation fee. Which is somewhat disappointing. That cost DOES NOT include your entrance to the park itself.

If you’re planning on visiting at minimum 3 national parks throughout the next year, we would advocate investing in an America the Beautiful Pass, which gets you access to all federal recreational land across the country, like national forests, national parks, and national monuments.

It proves worthwhile if you visit three or more national parks, and you’ve got Arches and Canyonlands National Parks right here in Moab, so there’s a fairly good chance you’re going to do exactly that.

Get your pass in ahead from REI, or buy it on arrival at the entrance to Arches.

What to Do if You Don’t Get a Timed Entry Reservation

Without a timed entry reservation booked in advance, you basically have two options, aside from “don`t visit Arches”.”

Firstly, a limited number of entry permits are released daily at 18:00 Mountain Standard Time one day in advance. For instance, to visit Arches National Park on a Wednesday, you`d need to log on to Recreation.gov precisely at 18:00 MST on the preceding Tuesday evening to try reserving your entry spot.

Secondly, you can enter the park prior to 6:00 am or after 5:00 pm, which is not exactly ideal.

The Unintended Consequence of the Timed Entry Reservations

Based on our knowledge from experience in Glacier National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park over recent years, the timed entry reservation structure possesses a major flaw that no one seems to have satisfactorily addressed.

As far as we know and have heard, you can freely enter the park between the hours of 5:00 pm and 6:00 am. Obviously the NPS doesn’t have the ability to staff the entrances 24 hours a day.

So it turns out that everyone without a reservation does the following: They arrive before 6:00 am, which means the parking lots will be full at remarkably early hours. Really, in Rocky Mountain National Park, parking lots at popular trailheads were full by 6:00 am. It was quite a sight. The same held true of Glacier in the summer of 2021.

Don’t be amazed if that becomes the norm in Arches during the timed entry reservation period (April to October). It’s a good reason to get a super early start for both the best light and a chance to actually get a parking spot.

When to Visit Arches National Park

Like numerous of the national parks in Utah and Arizona, the climate in Arches National Park is extremely hot during the summer – too hot to be outside – and marginally cooler in the spring and fall. We visited there in October as part of a Utah Mighty 5 road trip and it was in the 80’s during the day, and 50’s – 60’s at night, which is quite pleasant conditions, we think.

During the hot summer months, temperatures regularly surpass 100 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in extreme heat outdoors that makes remaining outside for extended periods quite challenging without risking overheating. If visiting in summer, be sure to drink ample water – carry a gallon each day – and allot frequent breaks from sunlight. Most of the hikes in Arches involve considerable exposure with limited shade, so taking heat cautions seriously is important. Attempting activities early in the day or later afternoon when conditions are somewhat more tolerable is advisable.

In the spring and fall, which are also good times to be there. You’ll find more comfortable temperatures during the day – 70’s and 80’s – which can drop into the 40’s at night. We were there in October, and it was a really pleasant time to be there. It’s crowded in the spring and fall exactly for that reason.

Winter offers the opportunity to have the park nearly to yourself, for the most part. Temperatures will range from the mid-40s to high 50s F during the day and drop below freezing at night, which may not be ideal for camping within the park. Instead, the town of Moab just 15 minutes from the entrance provides accommodation.