11 Best Hikes In Arches National Park (From Easy To Hard)

After several visits to Arches National Park, I’ve now hiked most of the trails in the park. In this article, I’ve compiled my top list of the best hikes in Arches National Park as well as some tips for your trip!

Most of the hikes in Arches are short, fairly flat, and can be easily completed with just one or two days.

If you’re visiting Arches National Park during the summer, keep in mind that most of these trails offer very little shade and can get quite toasty during the middle of the day.

In this article:

• The 11 best hikes in Arches National Park
• Mileage, difficulty and time needed for each trail
• Tips for avoiding crowds and finding parking

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Best Hikes In Arches National Park Under 1 Mile

These 3 trails are the best hikes in Arches National Park under 1 mile long. Even with just one day in Arches National Park you can easily complete all of these hikes.

Balanced Rock Loop is a super easy “lollipop” hike in Arches National Park. You take a short path in before you pick up a loop – like a lollipop! 🍭

In total, Balanced Rock trail is 0.3 miles. It skirts around the base of Balanced Rock, and has a few short sections with a steeper incline, for a total of 55 feet in elevation change along the entire path.

NOTE: A portion of this trail is paved, so it’s good for strollers, wheelchairs or anyone with mobility challenges. However, the full loop is not completely paved and there are sections of steep incline (up to 9%).

TIP: This is another very popular spot in Arches, and it’s located right on the side of the main park road so it’s busy all day long. Luckily, most people only spend a few minutes here so parking turns over quickly and it’s usually easy to find a spot.

Double Arch is a very easy, short hike in Arches National Park. It’s only 0.6 miles out-and-back and is relatively flat.

Most of the elevation gain is at the very end where the path ends and you can climb up into the arch. Seeing the inside of the arch is neat, but can easily be skipped without missing out on the view.

TIP: Hike Double Arch, The Windows and Turret Arch at the same time. They share a parking lot, so combining these two trails means you don’t have to return and battle for a parking space (the lot is fairly small, considering this is one of the most popular spots in Arches.)

You’ll also find picnic tables and some of the nicest pit toilets in Utah at this trailhead!

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 trail, making it one of the best hikes in Arches National Park.

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

The Windows Loop can be a bit crowded, given how popular this area of the park is. Plan to hike this trail early to avoid the crowds (before 10 am), or be prepared to circle the lot a few times for a spot to open up, and a busier trail.

Best Hikes In Arches National Park With Cool Views

The next 3 hikes on this list offer some of the best views in the park, in my opinion. They’re between 2 and 3 miles (roughly), and the first two tend to be less crowded.

Park Avenue is a lesser known trail, and one of the best hikes in Arches National Park for sunset. It’s also conveniently located towards the park entrance, so it’s a great final stop on your way out of the park.

The Park Avenue trail connects Courthouse Towers Viewpoint and Park Avenue Viewpoints which are both located along the main park road.

The distance between the two viewpoints is just under 1 mile, so you can hike it point-to-point and catch a ride back to your car, or you can hike it out-and-back for just under 2 miles total.

While it’s a short hike in Arches National Park, it does have a bit of elevation change.

Park Avenue Viewpoint is the highpoint, and Courthouse Towers Viewpoint is at lower elevation. If you want to ascend first, and come back on the downhill then start at Courthouse Towers Viewpoint.

In the evening, the sun sets behind the courthouse tower rock formations and casts a glow on the steep walls on either side of this trail.

TIP: Another great way to experience sunset at Arches National Park is with this guided sunset tour. Skip the hassle of parking and find all the best views for sunset in the park.

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

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

This trail is 1.9 miles out-and-back and about 250 feet in elevation gain. It’s part of a larger trail system and you can extend it to Double O Arch or complete the full Devils Garden Loop.

TIP: There are only two water refilling stations in Arches National Park. One at the visitor center (at the entrance) and the second in Devils Garden, where this trail is located. While you’re here be sure to refill your water bottles!

#6 Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch & Tapestry Arch

Sand Dune Arch is one of the easiest hikes in Arches National Park. It’s a 0.5 mile round trip walk through a narrow slot between two sandstone fins, and there’s a small dune at the base of the arch.

To get to Sand Dune Arch, there’s a short spur trail along Broken Arch Trail. Take the right fork about 0.1 miles past the parking area.

TIP: Sand Dune Arch is one of the shadiest spots in the park, so it’s a good place to cool off (relatively speaking) in the middle of the day.

If you want to add more distance, continue past Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch, which adds 1 mile round-trip if done as an out-and-back. Despite the name, Broken Arch is fully intact and the trail actually passes underneath it.

For the full loop, continue past Broken Arch to Tapestry Arch (about 2.6 miles round trip total). The loop trail passes through Devils Garden Campground where you can make a stop to refill water or use the restroom.

#7 Tower Arch Trail

Tower Arch is the best hike in Arches National Park if you want to get away from the crowds. It’s located in the Klondike Bluffs area, on the quieter, less-developed side of the park, and most visitors skip it entirely because it’s more difficult to access.

There are two ways to reach Tower Arch. The easier and more popular option is a 2.6 mile round-trip hike from Marching Men Trailhead, along Tower Arch Trailhead Road. You can get to this trailhead in any type of vehicle.

The trail starts with a steep, short climb up a rocky hillside, then descends into a valley surrounded by red rock formations, including a group of spires called the Marching Men. From there it’s a mix of slickrock and sand before you reach Tower Arch itself, the sixth-widest arch in the park.

Alternate Trail: With a 4wd vehicle, you can access the Tower Arch Trailhead along West Valley Jeep Road. From there, the hike is only 0.6 miles total. However, the road to the trailhead is deep sand that can be tricky to navigate without the proper vehicle.

Delicate Arch is my favorite hike in Arches! It’s also the best hike in Arches National Park for sunrise.

The trail is 3.2 miles long with 629 feet of elevation gain and is rated as moderate.

Don’t let the moderate rating scare you though – I truly think anyone with average mobility and fitness levels can complete this trail.

While there’s a steady incline up to the arch, the steepest sections are short and manageable.

The trail to Delicate Arch is on smooth rock surface the entire way, so shoes with good traction are important, especially if it’s wet or icy.

I started this hike before daylight, so a headlamp was helpful. If you’re planning a sunrise hike, I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before sunrise so you can get a good spot.

Delicate Arch is still fairly busy at sunrise, but the crowds are far less first thing in the morning compared to the rest of the day or sunset (the busiest time.)

NOTE: There is absolutely no shade along this trail, it’s fully exposed the entire way so bring lots of water (I recommend 1 liter per person, per hour of movement), sunscreen and consider a wide-brimmed hat (I like this one from Outdoor Research because it doesn’t wrinkle in my luggage.)

Best Hikes In Arches National Park Over 4 Miles

These two hikes are actually part of the same trail system. You can choose to do only Double O Arch, or you can continue on to complete the full Devils Garden Loop.

Because these are longer hikes in Arches, they also tend to be far less crowded.

Keep in mind that portions of these trails are sandy, so they may take longer to complete than hikes on sturdy ground.

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

Double O Arch is 4.2 miles out-and-back with 682 feet of elevation change. It shares the first 1.9 miles with Landscape Arch. You can also extend this trail to the full Devils Garden Loop (details below).

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!

There are a few short scrambles along this trail, and a combination of walking across sand and smooth rock so, again, hiking shoes with good traction are essential.

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

The Devils Garden Trail is one of the harder hikes in Arches National Park. It’s an 8.1 mile loop with over 1,000 feet of elevation change.

This loop trail includes Landscape Arch and Double O Arch hikes, too, and also includes Partition Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, and Navajo Arch. It’s the best bang for your buck when it comes to seeing as many arches in the park as possible.

I highly recommend getting an early start to avoid the heat, as well as bringing with more water than you think you’ll need. You should expect full sun exposure and several scrambles over large boulders.

TIP: Cell service can be very limited in this area, and the trail isn’t the easiest to follow so I recommend downloading the AllTrails map ahead of time. You’ll need the paid version of AllTrails in order to access offline data, but I think it’s worth it because the app alerts you if you accidentally leave the trail. AllTrails+ costs $36 per year, but you can get 30% off with my discount code EVERYWHERE30.

Another great way to experience more remote areas of Arches National Park is with a 4×4 guided tour. Get off the beaten path with a guide who can point out unique arches and share fun history about the park.

Bonus: Best Hikes In Arches National Park

This final hike is a bit tricky. Not because it’s long, but because it’s quite difficult to navigate. You’ll need either a permit to hike it alone, or you can join a ranger program and hike it with a Park Ranger!

Fiery Furnace is one of the most interesting hikes in Arches National Park. But this hike is not for the faint of heart!

There are only two ways to hike this trail – by securing a self-guided hiking permit or participating in a ranger led hike.

That’s because it can be tricky to navigate this labyrinth of slot canyons, and is easy to get lost.

The tall canyon walls make it difficult for GPS devices to work, so having a paper map and strong navigation skills is incredibly important.

Expect lots of scrambles on this 2.1 mile loop through slot canyons. Be sure to get a permit ahead of time though. The fine for hiking here without a permit is $500!

Tips For Tackling The Best Hikes In Arches National Park

Hiking in Arches National Park comes with some challenges, like limited cell service, difficult route-finding, and intense summer heat. These tips will help you have the best (and safest) trip!

There aren’t many trees in Arches, so there are no tree trail markers. Instead, route’s are marked with stacks of flat rocks, called cairns.

In most places, cairns are discouraged. However, in desert locations they’re built by rangers to show you where the trail is. Keep an eye out for them!

Please do not knock them over or build your own.

TIP: One of the best options for easy navigation is the AllTrails+ app. The app lets you download trail maps so they’re available even without cell service. Off-trail alerts and location-sharing features are especially handy for extra safety.

Bring More Water Than You Think You’ll Need

Between the combination of very dry air and intense sun, it’s easy to become dehydrated quickly while hiking in Arches National Park.

You will need more water per mile in Arches than you would in more temperate climates. I recommend at least 1 liter per person for each hour of hiking.

NOTE: There are only two water refill stations in Arches National Park. One at the entrance in the Visitors Center and the second near Devils Garden at the far end of the park.

I find the best way to carry water is with a hydration bladder. These slip into your backpack so the weight is held evenly against your back, which puts less strain on your upper body and helps distribute the weight into your legs.

I also like that they come with a straw that clips onto your shoulder strap. I can sip as I hike, which means I drink way more water than if I had to stop and pull out my water bottle constantly.

The Sun Can Be Brutal

No trees also means no shade. Be sure to wear sunblock, but I also highly recommend investing in a wide-brimmed hat and a sun hoodie.

It took me a while to catch on to the wide-brimmed hat hack, but I wish I’d figured it out sooner. Something about the hat shading the upper half of your body feels significantly cooler than baking in the direct sun.

The same magic applies to a sun hoodie. Not only do many of them come with SPF fabric, but they’re extremely lightweight and cooling. I recommend sizing up so you have a loose fit, which offers more breeze to help you cool down.

Stick Around After Dark

Stargazing in Arches National Park is one of the coolest experiences, and so many people skip it!

As a certified International Dark Sky Park, Arches has some of the best views of the night sky (including the Milky Way!)

Because of this, there are some really unique stargazing opportunities like this astrophotography tour. You’ll be provided with a red light headlamp (red light is better at night because it doesn’t diminish your eyesight as much) and a tripod.

It’s great for all experience levels, including beginners, and your guide will help you with camera settings (phone’s work great, too!) and photography tips.

Dogs in Arches National Park

Unfortunately, there aren’t many places where dogs are allowed in Arches National Park. You can have your dog on all paved surfaces and in Devils Garden Campground, but not on any of the trails.

Instead, I recommend checking out Corona Arch nearby, which is dog friendly and located just outside the park.

Food & Services In The Park

There are no restaurants or gas stations inside Arches National Park. It’s best to bring your food for the day, rather than exit the park for meals.

When the park reaches capacity (usually daily in the summer), they will temporarily shut down the entrance. In my opinion, it’s not worth the gamble that you’ll be able to re-enter, or the time spent sitting in an extremely long entry line.

Save On National Park Entrance Fees

The entrance fee for Arches National Park is $30 per vehicle, which is good for up to 7 days. Unfortunately, day passes are not offered at National Parks.

If you’re planning to visit more National Parks in Utah, I recommend getting an America The Beautiful annual pass. The pass is $80 and gets you free entry into all 63 National Parks (plus 2,000+ other National Recreation areas) for 12 months.

Many parks also offer an express lane at the entrance for pass holders (which can save you hours in places like Grand Canyon National Park!)

Passes are available at select retailers. I usually order mine from REI each year.

Timed-Entry Requirements For Arches National Park

Great news! Starting in 2026, Arches National Park will not have timed-entry requirements. This is a big change from previous years.

However, I would expect large crowds and temporary park closures in the summer. The best way to beat the crowds is to arrive early (before 8 am), or in the late afternoon (after 3pm.)

Recap: Best Hikes In Arches National Park

Here’s the full list of the best hikes in Arches National Park, from easiest to hardest:

Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking In Arches National Park

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• Mighty Five Utah National Parks Road Trip
• Las Vegas To Arches National Park Road Trip Itinerary
• Salt Lake City To Arches National Park Road Trip Itinerary