BEST Hikes In Arches National Park
Interested in seeing giant, stunning natural arches up close? Well, get ready for the best hikes in Arches National Park. These hikes venture through some of the most spectacular natural archways in the world. Such as the Landscape Arch, the longest natural archway in the country, or the Double Arch a rocky bridge masterpiece, and thousands of other arches! The arches are, of course, the main draw, but this park also has other spectacular sites just as incredible. Whether it’s washed out canyons, crazy balancing rock formations, or wonderful Utah vistas, there’s so much to this national park that you don’t want to miss!
Part of the Mighty 5, this park is home to some of the best sights and experiences Utah has to offer. While it is smaller than the other nearby parks, that just makes it the perfect day excursion while visiting the nearby Canyonlands or the town of MOAB. No matter your reason to visit, the best hikes in Arches National Park will make sure you don’t regret it.
So continue scrolling to see all of the BEST HIKES IN ARCHES NATIONAL PARK!
1.) Devil's Garden
Difficulty: 8
Distance: 7.9-miles loop trail
Large parking lot on site
Without a doubt, the best hikes in the Arches National Park, Devil’s Garden takes you on a journey through the best this place has to offer. Feel as though you’re truly exploring the park as you climb across steep rocks and under towering archways, all while escaping the crowds. After experiencing this hike, it’s clear to see why the Devil’s Garden is one of the best hikes in Utah, and a must when in the park!
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A sandy trail that turns into rocky adventuring
– Dozens of spectacular natural arches
– Includes many of the top trails in the park
– Crowded in the first part, then very few people for the rest
Pro tip- When taking the Primitive Trail, start from the Double O Arch as it’s much easier jumping/sliding down the steep rocks compared to trying to find a way to climb up them.
2.) Landscape Arch Trail
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 1.9-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
Known as the home of the longest natural arch in the country, the Landscape Arch Trail is a short and easy hike full of diverse arches including the king of the arches, the Landscape Arch itself. Long and tall, short and small, dozens of amazing arches scattered all throughout this wonderful Arches National Park hike.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Mainly flat soft sand trail
– Fantastic view of the Landscape Arch and many other arches
– Can get crowded during the day
– Different trails and offshoots that branch off the trail
Pro tip- If you continue past the arch, the trail turns into the Devil’s Garden Trail.
3.) Park Avenue Trail
Difficulty: 3
Distance: 1.8-miles total out and back
Parking lot on site
How could a trail with hardly any arches be one of the best hikes in the Arches National Park? Easy, by showing that this park can also give an open and expansive feel that other hikes don’t show. While the Park Avenue Trail may not have the arches that other hikes do, but hiking along a dried riverbed with canyon walls soaring beside you is pretty good too.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Follow a riverbed through the canyon floor
– A lookout point before the beginning of the hike
– Mesmerizing designs in the riverbed rock
– Decent amount of stairs leading down to the riverbed
Pro tip- It’s better to do this hike first as it’s the closest to the entrance and tends to fill up quickly.
4.) Balanced Rock
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 0.3-miles total out and back
Small parking lot on site
Sometimes great hikes can also be really easy ones, and when it comes to the best hikes in Arches National Park, the Balanced Rock hike is definitely among them. Often passed by for more adventurous hikes, Balanced Rock offers great views of natural and bold formations while still being accessible for all ages.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– Multiple rock formations to admire
– Plaques and information about the park
– A flat and easy walk around the formations
– Sightlines across the horizon
Pro tip- The interesting rocks make for a great spot to watch the sunrise.
5.) Double Arch
Difficulty: 1
Distance: 0.5-miles total out and back
Large parking lot on site
If you come to see enormous natural arches, this is the hike for you. Not to be confused with the Double O Arch, the Double Arch is a great trail for anyone and everyone looking to experience the Arches National Park. With 2 incredible arches bridging rocky cliffs, this scenic set of arches creates a cathedral of natural beauty fit for a king.
WHAT TO EXPECT
– A large trail with spots along the way to stop and take pictures
– Very crowded during peak times
– A very easy mostly sand trail
– 2 arches converging into a dome like structure
Pro tip- You can climb up the rocks to get a great view right under the archways.
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