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11 Best Hikes in Arches National Park You Simply Can’t Miss

We love visiting all the Utah parks, and we feel so fortunate that we live so close to them. If you love hiking, we’ve put together a list of the best hikes in Arches National Park.

What’s great about Arches National Park is that their scenic drive takes you to many of the popular arches in the park. However, there’s still a lot that you can only access on foot, including the world-famous Delicate Arch. Luckily, there are plenty of options for all levels of hikers!

11 Best Hikes in Arches National ParkPin

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Last Updated: February 1, 2022

11 Best Hikes in Arches National Park You Simply Can't Miss

UPDATE: Timed Entry Tickets are now required from April 3 to October 3, 2022. It doesn’t cost extra but there is a $2 service fee. If you have camping, backcountry, Fiery Furnace, or special use permits, they qualify as your ticket. You also don’t need one if you are doing a tour with an approved company.

1. Balanced Rock

Distance: 0.3 Mile   |   Difficulty: Easy

You get a great view of this picturesque rock from the road, but this short stroll gets you right next to it to really appreciate its size and keeps you hoping that the rock stays balanced. 

Balanced Rock Arches National Park Moab Utah // localadventurer.com

2. Double Arch

Distance: 0.5 Mile   |   Difficulty: Easy

This gravel-surfaced trail takes you to the base of two giant arches that span above you.

Double Arch (Best Hikes in Arches National Park) // localadventurer.com

3. Windows Loop

Distance: 1 Mile   |   Difficulty: Easy

A well-marked trail takes you to North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch. You can climb into both the North Window and Turret Arch for great photo ops, but can only see the South Window from below. (Has anyone scrambled up there? It doesn’t look easy.)

The Windows Loop (Best Hikes in Arches National Park) // localadventurer.com

4. Landscape Arch

Distance: 1.6 Miles   |   Difficulty: Easy

This is a relatively easy hike in Devils Garden and takes you to one of most recognizable arches in the park. You also have optional side trips to Tunnel and Pine Tree arches.

Landscape Arch Arches National Park Utah (+9 Most Beautiful Arches in Arches National Park) // localadventurer.com

5. Broken Arch Loop

Distance: 2 Miles   |   Difficulty: Easy

Most people skip over Broken Arch for the more popular arches, so it leaves it less crowded. It’s a relatively easy hike and you get to play under an arch (that doesn’t really look broken at all)!

Broken Arch Arches National Park

photo: NOAA

6. Park Avenue

Distance: 2 Miles   |   Difficulty: Moderate

This hike works best if you have someone who isn’t interested and just wants to drive. You can get dropped off at the Park Avenue parking area, then follow the trail through the canyon until you reach the Courthouse Towers where they pick you up!

Park Avenue (The Best Hikes in Arches National Park) // localadventurer.com

7. Fiery Furnace

Distance: 2 Miles   |   Difficulty: Strenuous

This hike can only be accessed through a ranger-led hike. Sign up at the visitor center, and explore this labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons. It does require scrambling! Sign up early. When we arrived, all the slots were taken.

Distance: 3.2 Miles   |   Difficulty: Strenuous

Slick rock and no shade can make this trail difficult. During the day it can be brutally hot. It is easily one of the most crowded hikes since it’s the most popular arch in the world. Check out our guide for the Delicate Arch hike.

Hiking to Delicate Arch Arches National Park // localadventurer.com

9. Tower Arch

Distance: 3.4 Miles   |   Difficulty: Strenuous

This trail has steep climbs and has you walking through sandstone fins and sand dunes, but you get to visit a unique arch with a tower attached! This is a great hike to get away from the crowds.

10. Double O Arch (Includes Landscape Arch)

Distance: 4.5 Miles   |   Difficulty: Strenuous

Although the beginning of this hike is easy, it starts to get more difficult after you pass Landscape Arch. There are narrow ledges and areas with exposure to drop-offs.

Double O Arch (+9 Best Arches in Arches National Park) // localadventurer.com

Distance: 7.8 Miles   |   Difficulty: Strenuous

This hike was the highlight of our trip, and we highly recommend it! It gives you a chance to see multiple arches, including Landscape and Double O. The arches are beautiful, but the hike itself is also very fun and diverse. It requires some scrambling and has some exposure to heights. We saw some folks turn back.

I have a terrible fear of heights, but it wasn’t as bad as I anticipated. You should be fine as long as you have a good pair of hiking shoes with good traction.

Private Arch Devils Garden Trail Arches National Park Utah // localadventurer.com

Map of the Best Hikes in Arches National Park

Essential Tips

What's Nearby

  • Canyonlands National Park (26.2 mi / 30 min, map)
  • Capitol Reef National Park (133 mi / 2 hr 5 min, map)
  • Mesa Verde National Park (150 mi / 2 hr 50 min, map)
  • Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park (191 mi / 3 hr 22 min, map)

Have you done any of these hikes? Any that we need to check out and add to the list?

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Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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This Post Has 3 Comments

  1. Greg Kesler

    South and North Windows are accessible from the trail if you hike around to the back side.

  2. Steven Mejia

    Arriving to Devils Garden is strenuous but absolutely worth hiking here!

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