10 Best hikes and trails in Arches National Park

Best trails in Arches National Park

4.6(106,304 reviews)

United States
:
#7 of 60 national parks

Arches National Park, located in the Moab region of eastern Utah, is a highlight of any trip to the Southwest, especially for families with children. The park is also a haven for adventure travelers and adrenaline junkies. Compared to other National Parks in the region, the highlights can be seen within a day or two. The bright red rock against the deep blue sky is an iconic southwestern sight enjoyed by all ages.

This National Park features 2,000 sandstone arches, the world's highest concentration of natural sandstone arches, including the most famous arch in the park, Delicate Arch. In a desert climate, millions of years of erosion have led to these structures, while the ground has life-sustaining soil crust and potholes. Other geologic formations are stone columns, spires, fins, and towers.

If you are short on time, you can take the scenic drive past many viewpoints to snap a quick picture. With more time, make sure to check out the various hiking trails the park has to offer. There are plenty of short hikes, including the Delicate Arch Trail and Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail (the iconic arch on the Utah license plates), the Park Avenue Trail, and trails in the Windows section of the park such as Turret Arch Trail, Double Arch Trail, or South Window Viewpoint. If you are feeling adventurous (and energetic), try the Devil's Garden Primitive Trail. Along this loop trail, you will see such wonders as Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Double O Arch, and Dark Angel. Landscape Arch is the largest arch on earth and should not be missed!

Other notable features in the park include Balanced Rock, a large boulder that appears to be balancing 128 feet in the air and is a quick hike off of the road. Fiery Furnace, named for the reddish glow at sunset that resembles a furnace, is another great option. This ranger-guided tour requires a permit from the visitor center. If you are hoping to avoid crowds, Broken Arch is a less-frequented spot in the park.

Top trails

#1 - Delicate Arch Trail

Delicate Arch Trail is a short hike in Arches National Park to Utah's most recognizable natural arch, which you will likely recognize from the Utah license plate. The park is home to some of the most unique geologic features in the world. This fantastic hiking trail leads along the red rock slabs to the largest free standing arch in the park. You’ll pass smaller stone arches, piles of balanced rocks, and tall sandstone fins on your way to this incredible rocky feature. The parking lot is...

#2 - Devil's Garden Trail

4.8(13377)

•Hard

•8.0 mi

Devils Garden is a popular, challenging hike at the northern end of the park. The trail offers incredible views of unique arches, including Landscape Arch, which is one of the longest natural spans in the world. The trailhead is at the end of the main road through the park. There is a large parking area, but during busy weekends it can be difficult to find parking. The mapped route on this page traverses the area counter-clockwise, with many side trips to the various arches. You can skip...

#3 - Double O Arch Trail

4.8(4543)

•Moderate

•4.2 mi

Double O Arch is a natural rock formation with two arches. This formation is the second biggest arch in the Devil's Garden area. The biggest one is the Landscape Arch. To get to Double O Arch, the trail starts at the Devil's Garden parking lot and passes by Landscape Arch first. The Devil's Garden trail is well-maintained and flat until you pass by the Landscape Arch. After passing Landscape Arch, the terrain on the trail becomes rugged and rocky. There are some drop-offs and steep inclines...

#4 - Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail

A short hike to a lovely arch with great views. Turret Arch is a beautiful free standing arch in the Windows area of Arches NP. The views over the area are exceptional. Follow the trail to the Windows, bearing right at the first intersection, and near the top of the ridge, leave the trail and go cross country to the Arch. There is good climbing for the kids and by going through the Arch a great view through Turret to the North Window and beyond. Also good views of the Cove of Caves and...

#5 - Double Arch Trail

The Double Arch Trail is a short loop that takes you to a massive Double O Arch rock formation in the Windows section of Arches National Park. An optional scramble at the end of the trail leads to the base of the arches. Although it is a short hike, the path is sandy. There is also a great view from the trailhead if you want to avoid hiking the entire trail. Bikes and dogs are not allowed on this trail. To get there, you must drive just over nine miles up Main Park Road from the Visitor...

#6 - Wall Arch and Pine Tree Arch

This hike goes to the site of Wall Arch, which collapsed in 2008

#7 - Landscape Arch Trail

Two mile out and back easy trail over well-maintained path to huge spanning arch known as the Landscape Arch in Arches National Park.

#8 - Windows Loop Trail

This amazing trail in Moab leads to the Windows Viewpoint, one of the park's most scenic areas. The trail features the North Window and South Window and goes past the Turret Arch. From the parking lot, visitors can see the North Window. Most of the trail is well-marked. However, there are sections with rock stairs, uneven terrain, and slopes near the base of the arches.

#9 - Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch

4.9(5197)

•Hard

•2.1 mi

This unique trail leads to Fiery Furnace and the Surprise Arch. Fiery Furnace is a technical maze-like trail that goes through narrow spaces and requires navigating on sandstone, loose sand, and narrow ledges. A self-guided hike to Fiery Furnace requires a permit, or you can sign up to hike it with a ranger. Rangers offer hikes from Spring to the Fall, and reservations are needed. Proper hiking shoes or boots are recommended.

#10 - Arches National Park Driving Tour

4.7(3492)

•Easy

•29.4 mi

Drive through Arches National Park and see the highlights along the way, with a few stops for optional hikes to see more This driving tour will take you to every major sight in Arches National Park and then some. Start at the Visitor Center to learn some background about the park and the area's history before driving along the main road through the park. Stop at Park Avenue to walk through a canyon with wild rock formations on either side, stop at several turnoffs along the way to see such...

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Visitor info

Hours & contact

Open 24 hours

Passes & fees

Starting at $2

Accessibility

General park hours

Every day • Open 24 hours

Phone

(435) 719-2299

Timed entry reservation

Park (Apr 1–Jul 6)

From April 1 through July 6, 2025, visitors entering the park in a vehicle between 7 am and 4 pm will need to have already purchased a Timed Entry Ticket from Recreation.gov before arriving. One ticket is needed per vehicle. This fee is a Recreation.gov service charge, so it is not waived by any of the interagency passes.

Make reservation

Park (Aug 28–Oct 31)

From August 28 through October 31, 2025, visitors entering the park in a vehicle between 7 am and 4 pm will need to have already purchased a Timed Entry Ticket from Recreation.gov before arriving. One ticket is needed per vehicle. This fee is a Recreation.gov service charge, so it is not waived by any of the interagency passes.

Make reservation

Entrance pass

Motorcycle

Admits one private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders

$25

Purchase pass

Per Person

Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

$15

Purchase pass

Private Vehicle

Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.

$30

Purchase pass

Annual pass

Park

Valid for one year through the month of purchase. Admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and Natural Bridges and Hovenweep national monuments.

$55

Purchase pass

All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80

Purchase pass

2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.

The Arches Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has accessible parking, restrooms, and drinking fountains. Video exhibits include open captioning.

Assistive listening devices are available for loan at the Visitor Center. An audio version of the park brochure and screen-reader compatible park guides are available for download.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available for in-person, ranger-led programs. To improve your chances of securing services in time for your visit, submit your request at least 7 days or more in advance.

Additional information about accessibility at Arches National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Facilities

The Arches Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has accessible parking, restrooms, and drinking fountains. Video exhibits include open captioning.

All of the restrooms within the park have wheelchair accessible stalls.

The amphitheater is wheelchair accessible via a paved sidewalk. The surface of the Amphitheater is gravel. The Balanced Rock, Panorama Point, and Devils Garden Picnic Areas have paved paths.

Camping

The Devils Garden Campground has two wheelchair accessible campsites and accessible toilets.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Guides

Top Picks in Arches National Park

8 trails

Hidden Gems in Arches National Park

4 trails

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Trail reviews for Arches National Park

96,462 trailgoers Busiest in May

Maya P

Jul 5, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat views

Iconic trail in Arches National Park! Little to no shade the whole walk, and a big incline up a slanted rock face were the most challenging aspects. Terrain is also pretty rocky and unstable. Wear good shoes, and lots of sun protection! The delicate arch is amazing, so worth the hike!

Delicate Arch Trail

Jackson Wightman

Jun 28, 2025

Great views

Definitely a highlight of Arches National Park. The route from the start to Double O Arch with detours for Partition arch and Navajo arch is spectacular. Everything else (Dark Angel, Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, the remaining “primitive trail” through fin canyon, Private Arch) is still great, but the first stretch going clockwise is the main event. If you are pressed for time or want a shorter route, just turn around at Double O Arch.

Devil's Garden Trail

Erin Moore

Jun 18, 2025•Hiking

We were fortunate to get two permits for a ranger-led tour of the Fiery Furnace at Arches National Park. The ranger was knowledgable and the trail was a reasonably challenging walk but we were able to explore a maze of trails and features which are beautiful and isolated. Bring water, this is a minimum 90 minute trail without the ranger. Sun protection is optional because of the natural shade provided by the fins.

Fiery Furnace and Surprise Arch

Frances Scott

May 31, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful double arch! So long Arches National Park!

Parking: Entry fee, Free, Large lot

Double Arch Trail

Elizabeth Leverton

May 31, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great morning at Arches National Park!

Difficulty: Easy

Arches National Park Driving Tour

Madan Appiah

Yesterday•Hiking

Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Awesome sunset view and color on the Arches!

Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Arches National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Arches National Park is Delicate Arch Trail, which has a 4.9 star rating from 30,690 reviews. This trail is 3.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 629 ft.

What is the longest trail in Arches National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Arches National Park is Courthouse Wash from Willow Springs. This trail is estimated to be 11.7 mi long.

How many trails are in Arches National Park?

There are 44 trails in Arches National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 106,304 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Arches National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Arches National Park has you covered. Arches National Park Driving Tour boasts the most elevation gain with 3,261 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Eye of the Whale and Tower Arch 4x4 Route, which will get you 2,664 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Arches National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there is 1 camping trail in Arches National Park which is Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Loop with an average 4.7 star rating from 2,404 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Arches National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 running trails in Arches National Park and the most popular is Park Avenue Trail with an average 4.7 star rating from 3,817 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Arches National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 biking trails in Arches National Park and the most popular is Willow Springs 4x4 Road with an average 4.6 star rating from 244 community reviews.