Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
The two most popular ways to see Arches National Park are by driving and hiking. Driving the main road through the park allows you to see several incredible sites right from your vehicle. Hiking Arches National Park offers an unparalleled experience as you can see up-close hundreds of gravity-defying sandstone arches, breathtaking fins, and towering rock structures. Arches offers plenty of hiking trails for all levels. The list below covers some of Arches National Park's most popular hikes.
| TRAILS | MILES/KM | AVG TIME | DIFFICULTY | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balanced Rock | .3 mi/ .5 km | 15-30 min | Easy | Rock formation, loop |
| Broken Arch | 1.3 mi/ 2.1 km | 30-60 min | Easy | Arch |
| Broken Arch with Loop | 2 mi/ 3.2 km | 30-60 min | Easy | Arch, sand dunes, slickrock |
| Delicate Arch Viewpoint | 100 yards | 10-15 min | Easy | Viewpoint of Delicate Arch |
| Desert Nature Trail | .2 mi/ .3 km | 10-15 min | Easy | Nature Walk, Trail Guide |
| Double Arch | .5 mi/.8 km | 15-30 min | Easy | Two giant arches |
| Landscape Arch | 2 mi/3.2 km | 30-60 min | Easy | Spectacular ribbon of rock |
| Sand Dune Arch | .4 mi/ .6 km | 15-30 min | Easy | Secluded arch/sandstone fins |
| Skyline Arch | .4 mi/ .6km | 10-20 min | Easy | Arch |
The Windows |
1 mi/ 1.6 km | 30-60 min | Easy | North, South Windows, Turret Arch |
| Park Avenue | 1 mi/ 1.6 km | 30-60 min | Moderate | Canyon, Courthouse Towers |
Tower Arch |
3.4 mi/ 5.6 km | 2-3 hours | Moderate | Rock wall, dunes, sandstone fins |
| Delicate Arch | 3 mi/ 4.8 km | 2-3 hours | Strenuous | Slickrock, arch |
| Devils Garden | 7.2 mi/ 11.5 km | 3-5 hours | Strenuous | Eight arches |
| Double O Arch | 4 mi/ 6.4 km | 2-3 hours | Strenuous | Navajo Arches |
| Fiery Furnace | No marked trails, permit required, guided tour available | |||
General Hiking Tips:
» Always carry a topographical map» Small rock piles called cairns mark the trails.
» Remote trails may not be well marked or maintained.
» Pets are NOT allowed along any trails.
» Bring plenty of water. Most trails provide little shade.
» Trail guides may be available. Check with the visitor center.
» Permits are required for back country or overnight hiking, but cannot be reserved in advance.
» Maximum group size is twelve for back country groups. Smaller groups are strongly recommended.
Visitor’s Center and Entrance Fees
The Visitor Center is open year-round. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and learn how to visit the park with minimal impact to the fragile desert environment. Maps, brochures and books are available for purchase. A slide orientation program, geology museum, and history exhibit are also on display.The entrance fee for Arches National Park is $10 per vehicle, or $5 per person. (These fees are included in the Cataract Canyon Rafting Trip and Arches Hike & Scenic Tour. Frequent visitors may be interested in the annual pass, which can be purchased for $25 per person (good for entrance into Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweap and Natural Bridges) 52 campground sites are available for $10 per night on a first-come, first-serve basis. The nearest accommodations are in Moab.
