If you love hiking and live or are visiting Utah, you must give Arches National Park hikes a go. The park is riddled with outstanding landscapes; red sandstone rock formations and dunes are why many people visit the park every year.
Besides, being out in nature and breathing fresh air fills you with a calming feeling. Although the park is small, it has different hikes from the others. Below are some of the best hikes in Arches National you must give a try.
Delicate Arch Trail
Millions of people visit Arches National Park annually to see and take a picture of the free-standing arch. The Delicate Arch Trail is one of the hikes that will take you to this stone icon.
It is one of the most prominent arches in the park and a landmark in the state of Utah, measuring 46 feet high and 32 feet wide. The Delicate Arch Trail is 3 miles long roundtrip and takes about 2 to 3 hours if your walk is leisurely. Make sure to wear the right shoes, carry a bottle of water and wear sun-protective clothing, including a hat and sunglasses, as the route has no shade.
Wait till evening and watch the spectacular sunset.
Devils Garden
This is probably the most challenging and longest hiking trail in Arches National Park. Devil’s Garden Trail is 7.8 miles long to and from and will take you about 5 hours to complete the loop. However, if you are not in a hurry, you can take your time to explore and rest along the way.
While on this hike, you will get a closer view of the blackish sandstone spike, spires, and a significant connection narrow rock wall popularly referred to as fins.
Devils Garden Trail has a campground; you can carry smokeless fire pits for cooking. The camps are open from March to October, only available by reservation. It allows visitors to enjoy stargazing at night and explore the park without a hurry.
Fiery Furnace
Contrary to its name, Fiery Furnace is a pretty cool trail even in summer, as it has many shady canyons. The path earned its name from the reddish glow that happens during sunset, as it looks like a furnace. So when taking this trail, stick around till evening to enjoy the magical sunset.
This 2-mile-long hike is not ideal for beginners as it’s moderately tricky with narrow passages and rough terrain. If you want to explore without the help of a guide, ensure you take a permit from the park’s visitor’s center. However, you will have more fun and enjoy all the trail has to offer with the help of a guide. Plus, you will be assured that there is someone to help you in case of anything.
The trail is defined by crevasses, boulders, weirdly shaped rocks, arches, and steep-sided canyons. You’ll also see rare plant species on this trail, such as the Canyonlands biscuitroot. So when taking your step, be careful not to step on them or the desert topsoil. It’s recommended that you strictly walk in the rocks or sandy washes.
Double Arch Trail
It is also an easy hike as it’s 0.5 miles long round trip and takes about 15 minutes. But you’ll probably spend more time admiring and taking photos of the double arches on this hike. It’s near the Windows Loop and Turret Arch, and because of their short distance, you can opt to explore all three in one day.
Landscape Arch
This is an easy hike as it’s a 1.6-mile-long round trip and takes about 1 hour. The landscape arch is the longest in North America, and most people take this trail to see and take pictures.
You might want to take this trip as soon as possible as this arch won’t be there forever. A few years ago, a heavy rock slab fell from this arch, and this prompted the park to reroute the path that went directly beneath the arch to protect the people and give them a better view of this glorious arch from a safe distance.
Park Avenue
Park Avenue is ideal for beginners as its 2 miles long round trip takes about an hour. This trail is kid-friendly as it’s flat land. The path allows you to gaze upon some of the park’s gigantic monoliths.
Sand Dune Arch Trail
This is the most beautiful and shortest hike in Arches National Park. The trail is 0.3 miles long round trip and takes about 30 minutes to complete. It is ideal for walking with kids as the shady canyons protect them from the sun.
The trail leads you to a more secluded and attractive arch, and instead of going through, explore. Immediately you get under the arch, head to the left, and see a small ledge you can use to climb up.
The path is fantastic as you walk between sandstone fins, and the sand beneath your feet makes you feel like you are at the beach.
Window Primitive Loop and Turret Arch
This is the easiest hike as it’s 1 mile long and takes about 30 minutes round trip. The trail has beautiful landscapes that make an excellent backdrop for your photos, so take your camera along. It’s a great hike with the family, and the shady canyons provide shade, so you can make a rest stop while admiring the red rock formations.
Note: When going for any of the hikes, you must obtain a ticket and park pass from Park’s office. Each person must pay $15, and children under 15 years are given free entry. Vehicles pay $30 and $25 for motorcycles. And pets are not permitted on any of these trails.
Final Thoughts
Hiking is a great way to stay in shape and explore the outdoors. And if you live in a busy town, it wouldn’t hurt to take a trip to the outskirts for a hike.
If you live in Utah, you can take the best hikes in Arches National Park and enjoy magical sunsets, picturesque landscapes, dunes, and rare plant species at an affordable rate. Besides, you can take your kids along for the hike as they have free entry.
