9 Best Hikes In Arches National Park You Can’t Skip

I’ve been to Arches several times and I can say that no trip would be complete without these 9 best hikes in Arches National Park! Most of the hikes in Arches are fairly easy – just a few miles or less and relatively low elevation gain.

The challenge with hiking in Arches National Park is that it’s fairly exposed, with full sun and almost no shade. Arches also has limited water available so you want to plan accordingly. There are two locations for water within the park: the visitors center (just past the entrance) and Devils Garden (the farthest point into the park).

This article outlines complete details for each hike, like mileage, difficulty, and trailhead info. Plus, it includes everything you need to know before you hit the trail.

Here’s a sneak peak of my best hikes in Arches National Park list:

1. Delicate Arch
2. Double Arch
3. Balanced Rock Loop
4. Windows Loop Trail
5. Landscape Arch
6. Double O Arch
7. Devils Garden
8. Park Avenue Viewpoint
9. Fiery Furnace (permit required)

If you’re planning a trip to Arches be sure to check out my complete Arches National Park Itinerary And Travel Guide.

#1 Delicate Arch – Best Sunrise In Arches National Park

My favorite hike in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch. It’s rated as moderate, but I truly think anyone with average mobility and fitness levels can complete this trail.

• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 629 feet
• Rating: Moderate
• Time To Hike: 1-2 hours
• Trailhead: Delicate Arch Parking

It’s 3.2 miles and has 629 feet of elevation gain. I think the reason this gets a “moderate” rating is because of the terrain.

Imagine what it’s like hiking on mars – it’s flat rock surfaces that may be uneven in places and require some hopping from one rock surface to another (but definitely not a scramble). If you can balance on one leg you can do this hike.

The second reason I think this hike might be marked as “moderate” is because there is absolutely no shelter from the elements. If it’s raining, you’ll be wet. If the sun is out, you’ll be hot.

So long as you pack enough water (at least 2 liters, preferably 3) and dress appropriately for the weather you’ll be ok. I recommend wearing a brimmed sun hat for any hike in Arches National Park. I love the hat I have from Outdoor Research.

I hiked to Delicate Arch for the best sunrise in Arches National Park and highly recommend this! The parking lot is fairly large, but it will be full if you arrive after 7am or 8am in the morning.

We drove from Salt Lake City to Arches National Park the night before, camped nearby, and entered the park first thing. It was magical to hike through the desert in the early morning light and to have a peaceful and quiet sunrise at the arch before the crowds became overwhelming.

It’s also important to note that Arches National Park has vehicle timed-entry requirements from April-October for all vehicles entering the park between 7am and 4pm. If you enter the park outside of these hours you won’t need a reservation. Because we entered the park around 5am we weren’t required to have a vehicle reservation.

#2 Double Arch

• Distance: .6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 95 feet
• Rating: Easy
• Time To Hike: <30 minutes
• Trailhead: The Windows Parking

Double Arch is a very easy hike in Arches National Park. It’s only .6 miles and relatively flat. Most of the elevation gain is at the very end, and if needed could be skipped without losing out on the views.

From The Windows parking area there are several hikes you can see, Double Arch is one of them and the Windows and Turret Arch are the others. Plan to hit all of the hikes here at the same time, trying to find parking can be a hassle.

This area is also a great place to have lunch, there are picnic tables and nice bathrooms (or at least ‘nice’ for a pit toilet!).

#3 Balanced Rock Loop

• Distance: .3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 55 feet
• Rating: Easy
• Time To Hike: <30 minutes
• Trailhead: Balanced Rock Parking

This is a super easy “lollipop” trail. You take a short path in before you pickup a loop, and then return on the path you came in on – like a lollipop!

I have to admit, though, on my most recent trip to Arches I actually skipped this hike and just saw the Balanced Rock from the parking lot! It’s so close to the parking area so walking around it doesn’t get you a much better view, but just a few more angles.

#4 Windows Loop Trail

• Distance: .7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 125 feet
• Rating: Easy
• Time To Hike: <30 minutes
• Trailhead: The Windows Parking

The Windows Loop trail is less than a mile but it has a lot to see! Both the North and South Windows and Turret Arch are visible on this easy hike in Arches National Park.

While the trail is considered a loop, there’s actually several offshoots that allow you to explore around a bit.

It can be a bit crowded, given how popular this area of the park is, so plan to come early and avoid them or be prepared to have a lot of company.

#5 Landscape Arch

• Distance: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 252 feet
• Rating: Easy
• Time To Hike: <1 hour
• Trailhead: Devils Garden Trailhead

Landscape Arch is an iconic hike in Arches National Park. It’s relatively easy and has a great payoff! It’s the longest arch in the world at 290 feet wide.

Unfortunately, in the 1990’s several large pieces of the arch collapsed so hikes are no longer permitted to walk underneath the arch.

If you’re debating between Arches vs Canyonlands, I’ll point out that Landscape Arch in Arches is the closest thing to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. However, I still think it’s worth a trip to Canyonlands (even if just for half a day) because it’s so close to Arches and because the landscape is dramatically different – the massive canyons there are night and day different compared to the arches in Arches!

#6 Double O Arch

• Distance: 4.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 682 feet
• Rating: Moderate
• Time To Hike: ~2 hours
• Trailhead: Devils Garden Parking

If you’re already headed to Landscape Arch then you should add Double O onto your hike! This route follows the same path as Landscape Arch and then picks up elevation after passing it.

Like most of the best hikes in Arches National Park, there’s very little shade along this path. Be sure to pack enough water and a proper hat to protect yourself from the sun.

If you’re visiting Arches in winter, this trail can be a bit slick if it’s snowed. I recommend having traction devices for your shoes because the exposed rock can be a bit dangerous without them.

#7 Devils Garden

• Distance: 7.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,089 feet
• Rating: Hard
• Time To Hike: 3-4 hours
• Trailhead: Devils Garden Parking

The Devils Garden Trail is one of the harder hikes in Arches National Park. I highly recommend getting an early start to avoid the heat, as well as bringing with more water than you think you’ll need. This trail is completely exposed and can be extra difficult if you start after 10am.

Luckily, this trail includes a lot of other popular viewpoints including Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Private Arch, Dark Angel Arch, Double O Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, and finally Landscape Arch (in this order, when you travel counter-clockwise).

Service can be very unpredictable in this area, and the trail isn’t the easiest to follow so please be sure to download your trail maps ahead of time.

While most of the trails in the park are not dog-friendly, there are some areas around Devils Garden where dogs are allowed in Arches!

Devils Garden is also the only campground inside of the park, but there are plenty of other campgrounds and glamping options just outside Arches National Park.

#8 Park Avenue Viewpoint: Best Sunset Hike In Arches National Park

• Distance: 1.8 miles
• Elevation Gain: 298 feet
• Rating: Easy
• Time To Hike: 1 hour
• Trailhead: Park Avenue Viewpoint (or hike reverse from Courthouse Towers Viewpoint)

This is the best sunset hike in Arches National Park. Park Avenue Trail connects Courthouse Towers Viewpoint and Park Avenue Viewpoints along the main road.

While it’s a short hike (just under 2 miles total), it does have a bit of elevation change. If you start from Park Avenue Viewpoint you’ll be downhill all the way to Courthouse Towers Viewpoint, and then hike back uphill to the trailhead.

Or, you can start from Courthouse Towers and do the uphill portion first, and take the downhill for your return trip.

The trail takes you between giant rock formations, and can offer some shade if you’re not doing it in the middle of the day when the sun is high. I highly recommend bringing water on this hike because the combination of dry desert heat and elevation change can be really dehydrating.

Only have one day in Arches? This is my recommended itinerary.

#9 Fiery Furnace (Permit Required)

• Distance: 2.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 492 feet
• Rating: Hard
• Time To Hike: 2-3 hours
• Trailhead: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint

This hike is not for the faint of heart. In fact, there are only two ways to hike this trail – by securing a self-guided hiking permit or through a ranger led hike.

It can be tricky to navigate this labyrinth of slot canyons, and easy to get lost. Because of the tall canyon walls it’s unlikely your GPS will work, so having a paper map and being very aware of your trail is incredibly important.