The Best hikes in Arches National Park

Known for the iconic Delicate Arch and beautiful views, the hikes in the Arches National Park are breathtaking from the second you spot the Arches National Park Visitor Center. Can you believe that there are over 2,000 arches in Arches National Park? In this article, we share the most amazing, time-worthy hikes in the Arches National Park.

New for 2022 – To enter the park, a timed entry system will be implemented and it will be in effect from April 3 to October 3, 2022. The requirements, cost, and reservation information which can be found on Arches National Park timed entry system will be in effect from April 3 to October 3, 2022.

Quick Links:

• Delicate Arch Hike
• Skyline Arch Hike
• Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch Hike
• Landscape Arch Hike
• Partition Arch Hike
• Navajo Arch Hike
• Double “O” Arch Hike

Delicate Arch Hike

• Distance: 3.0 Miles (out and back)
• Difficulty: Moderately difficult (family friendly)
• Time: 2-3 Hours (from the trailhead)

Are you thinking that this Arch looks familiar? Delicate Arch is a very famous geological feature in the world, that stands over 32 feet wide and 50 feet high. You may recognize the photo of this Arch from television commercials, calendars, or postcards. The Delicate Arch Hike can be broken down into three sections, an easy hike at the beginning, a moderately difficult incline, and then a ridge that you walk that has beautiful views. You will know when you reach the arch because “bam-shazam” the arch pops out right in front of you. One word to describe this view….”SPECTACULAR“.

This is one of our favorite hikes in the park just be prepared to do some huffing and puffing, during the middle section of the hike. We urge you to your throw on the ole soles and take time to check out the arch.

We love Delicate Arch so much that we actually dedicated an entire article to the Delicate Arch Hike and the nitty-gritty details of seeing this beauty.

Skyline Arch Hike

• Distance: .25 Miles
• Difficulty: Easy (family friendly)
• Time: 30 Minutes

When driving from the back of the park to the front of the park, we like taking a stop at the Skyline Arch. This Arch stands 71 feet across and 33.5 feet high and the Skyline Arch Hike is a quick and easy walk that is well worth your time as you travel through the park.

Devils Garden Trail Head

The Devils Garden trailhead hikes offer eight absolutely magnificent Arches to view and can be hiked individually or all at once. Each hike we have listed can be completed as an out and back or hike in a sequence for one long out and back.

The Devil’s Garden Parking lot is located near the back of the park and has many hikes that are well worth your time. We have listed our favorite hikes, but if you are eager to hike more, talk to the park ranger at the Arches National Park Visitor Center.

The Devil’s Garden Parking lot is located 18 miles from the Arches National Park Visitors Center and will take approximately 45 minutes with no stops or traffic. If you stopped at the Sky Line Arch hike, continue down the road for another mile. There is parking before and after the trailhead, so don’t fret if you don’t see a parking spot when you first pull in.

Psst…all hike distances listed are from the Devils Garden Parking lot

Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch Hike

• Distance: 1 mile (out and back)
• Difficulty: Easy (family friendly)
• Time: 30 minutes to the arch

Pine Tree and Tunnel Arch hikes are family-friendly and easy for all ages groups as long as you can hike a mile. Just off the Devils Garden Trail, take the first spur to the right to catch a view of Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. This is a quick easy hike with wonderful views. The same trailhead will also let lead you to Tunnel Arch. When you get to the “Y” stay to the left for Pine Tree Arch and to the right to hike to Tunnel Arch. Although I did not include a picture of Tunnel Arch in this article it is only an extra .25 miles to see Tunnel Arch.

Insider Tips: Ensure to walk through the Arch and enjoy the view from both sides. The view looks totally different when walking under the arch and looking back. Most hikers stop at the Arch, look, and turn around. Don’t Stop yet…keep going through the arch.

Landscape Arch Hike

• Distance: 1 miles (one way)
• Difficulty: easy (family friendly)
• Time: 2 hours

The Landscape Arch hike is one of the must-see landmarks in the Arches National Park. This mighty arch boasts an incredible span that is 306 feet wide and stands 77 feet high. The arch span makes it one of the biggest arches in North America and is well worth your time. Speaking of time, over the years, portions of the Landscape Arch have broken off and it has the potential to collapse at any time. Take the time to visit this feature while you can.

Devils Primitive Loop Trail

Are you still full of energy and ready for a challenging hike, and not afraid of heights? We recommend taking the extra time to continue on the Devils Garden primitive loop to see some of the best panoramic views of Arches National Park. You will hike past the Landscape Arch and look straight ahead for a steep incline.

Umm…guess what? Yeppers, you will be hiking right up the steep incline. After catching your breath from the steep incline, I mean really steep, turn around and look at the beautiful view. It is absolutely fabulous. Once at the primitive loop trail sign, the trail comes to a fork. You will want to stay to the left. You will need to climb up on a three-foot ledge, so expect a small rock scramble to get on flat ground.

Partition Arch Hike

• Distance: 1.5 miles (one way). You will pass Landscape Arch at 1.0 mile
• Difficulty: Easy for the first 1.2 miles, with a steep incline, easy for the last .3 mile on the Navajo Arch Spur Trail
• Time: 1.5 hours (one-way)

As you venture to the Partition Arch hike, watch for Navajo Arch Spur Trail. It hosts both Partition Arch and Navajo Arch. This arch is easy to spot; look for the single “O”. You will feel as if you are gazing out a picture window when you look through it.

Navajo Arch Hike

• Distance: 1.5 Miles (one way)
• Difficulty: Easy-Moderate for the first 1.25 miles, steep inclines to Navajo Arch Spur trail, then an easy .25 miles to your destination. It is located next to Partition Arch.
• Time: 2-3 Hours

The Navajo Arch Hike shares the trail with the Partition Arch and is only about a .1 mile further. Since the two arches are so close, it is worth stopping to see although did not give me an “awe” moment.

Double “O” Arch Hike

• Distance: 1.93 miles (one way).
• Difficulty:
  • Mile 1 (Devils Garden Trail) – easy, moderate
  • Mile 2 (Devils Primitive Loop Trail) – steep, strenuous
• Time: 3-4 hours

Perhaps, one of the most amazing hikes in the entire Arches National Park is the second mile of the Double “O” Arch Hike. This arch is sometimes mistaken for the double arch which is located closer to the visitor center but believe me they are not the same, Double “O” Arch hike is AMAZING. During the second mile you hike across a beautiful bluff that gives you a feeling like you are on top of the world and bonus, you can literally see for miles in every direction.