Arches National Park is one of the most majestic places in the United States. In fact, we consider the park a must visit for those that want to experience the American Southwest and the vast red rock desert landscape in all its glory. A visit here will treat you to over 2,000 naturally carved sandstone arch formations made from years and years of erosion. To help you explore this beautiful destination, we’ve curated a listing of some of the best hikes that Arches National Park has to offer, ranging in difficulty to accommodate beginner to advanced hikers.
Due to its stellar beauty and infinite recreational opportunities, it is no wonder why Arches National Park is a popular destination for travelers from all over the world. Of course, Arches National Park’s popularity also means that many of the best hikes also happen to be extremely crowded. But don’t let the crowds dissuade you because there is more than enough desert landscape for everyone to enjoy. Just plan to get an early morning start to avoid the trail traffic. Another option is to consider visiting here during the shoulder or off-seasons when the park is less busy. Still, no matter when you visit you’re sure to have an amazing time hiking the trails of Arches National Park.
Below are some of our favorite hikes that we hope you’ll enjoy as well. If you plan to also visit Canyonlands National Park during your travels, don’t forget to check out our article “Best Hikes in Canyonlands National Park.” Happy hiking!
BEST HIKES SERIES: ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is perhaps the most iconic arch in all of Utah. In fact, you may have already seen its likeness before — it’s prominently featured on Utah license plates. Without a doubt, Delicate Arch is a true gem and no trip to Arches National Park is complete without a firsthand glimpse of this amazing rock formation. We consider this hike a bucket list hike and ranks up there among our most memorable, simply because of its stunning beauty.
That said, this trail is extraordinarily popular. It’s so popular that you may have a hard time finding a parking spot depending upon when you arrive at the trailhead. If the trailhead parking is full, you could park a bit further away in overflow parking. However, parking in the overflow lot will extend the length of your hike a fair amount. So, the theme with any hike in Arches National Park is to get there early and plan to enjoy the day. Maybe pack a lunch and spend some quality time enjoying the Delicate Arch landscape. You sure can’t beat the scenery.
- Round Trip Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Trail Type: Out-and-Back
- Trailhead: Delicate Arch Trailhead
- Coordinates: 38.735674, -109.520547
- Dogs Permitted?: No
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock is arguably the second most iconic image in Arches National Park, after Delicate Arch. This really isn’t really a hike, per se, given its short length, but it should be on everyone’s list as a must-do. Technically, you can see everything from the comfort of your own vehicle if you so desire (we don’t recommend this, but you can). We suggest that you find a parking spot so you can experience an up-close view of this precariously balanced boulder. Given this rock formation’s popularity, parking may be difficult to come by, so plan an early arrival to avoid traffic congestion.
- Round Trip Distance: 0.3 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Trail Type: Loop
- Trailhead: Balanced Rock Trailhead
- Coordinates: 38.701770, -109.565985
- Dogs Permitted?: No
Devil's Garden
The Devil’s Garden hike is a fantastic way to pack in a number of arches in a moderately lengthy hike. Some of the most popular arches that you’ll see along the loop hike include Landscape Arch and Double O Arch, but you can take a few side trails to see Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Tunnel Arch. The main trail to Landscape Arch is considered easy, but becomes progressively more difficult on the way to Double O Arch and turns into a difficult primitive trail on the return trip back to the parking lot. Like other hikes in Arches National Park, this hike will be busy, but usually the farther you hike, the less crowded it becomes. Don’t miss this beautiful hike!
- Round Trip Distance: 7.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: Moderate
- Trail Type: Loop
- Trailhead: Devil's Garden Trailhead
- Coordinates: 38.782973, -109.595173
- Dogs Permitted?: No
Fiery Furnace
To hike the Fiery Furnace, you’ll either need to obtain an individual permit or participate in a Park Ranger guided hike. The terrain is mixed and sometimes difficult with sand, narrow slots, and gaps. Due to its maze-like nature, it’s easy to become disoriented regarding your location. For less experienced hikers or those wanting to learn a bit more about the geologic history of the area, we highly recommend considering a Park Ranger hike for interpretive information.
- Round Trip Distance: 2.1 miles
- Elevation Gain: Minimal
- Trail Type: Loop
- Trailhead: Fiery Furnace Trailhead
- Coordinates: 38.743150, -109.565841
- Dogs Permitted?: No
RECOMMENDED HIKING GEAR & APPAREL
Ten Essentials
All of the referenced hikes in this article are presented as day hikes. Although these hikes are fairly popular, remember that you will still be in a remote part of the country. Therefore, you should always be prepared and carry the appropriate type and amount of gear, clothing, food, water, and other essentials. For certain, make sure that your packing list includes the Ten Essentials.
Approach Shoes
We typically do a lot of rock scrambling when we’re in Utah. Thus, it pays to have footwear that is up to the task. Approach shoes are particularly useful because they have excellent grip, but are not as heavy as hiking boots. If you are in to rock climbing, approach shoes are excellent options to hike to the crags. Even if you don’t intend to climb, approach shoes simply make a great option for all around red rock scrambling and light hiking.
We are huge fans of La Sportiva’s footwear line, especially their rock climbing shoes. La Sportiva’s Boulder X approach shoes are a great selection because of their versatility and overall high quality construction. We’ve had multiple pairs of the La Sportiva Boulder X’s over the years, mainly for hiking into rock climbing crags, and will keep using these for a long time. If you’re looking for a lighter weight option, consider La Sportiva’s TX Guide, which is built more like a running shoe.
Hiking Shorts
Utah gets hot in the summer, so you’ll likely be opting for shorts if the weather calls for them. As with all hiking clothing, avoid cotton materials because they absorb sweat and soak in moisture. Instead, opt for hiking shorts designed with technical fabrics for their quick drying properties. Look for lightweight designs that can also hold up to regular abrasions and scraping on rocks and brush. And, always remember to wear sunscreen to protect from the sun’s rays. prAna’s variety of hiking shorts are great because they are quick-drying and typically have a UPF 50+ sun protection rating. Try the Zion Shorts for men or the Halle Shorts for women.
Hiking Shirt
The sun is very strong in Utah, so wear clothes that protect your skin but keep you cool. For extra sun protection, we like to wear an ultralight, UPF-rated long-sleeve shirt with a hood. Many outdoor clothing gear companies make such shirts (e.g., Patagonia, Outdoor Research, North Face, etc.). Look for extremely lightweight construction made of technical, non-cotton fabrics.
Our go-to hiking shirt in the summer is Outdoor Research’s Echo Hoody because of its UPF sun protection qualities and lightweight (4oz.) breathable construction. The shirt has a hood for added neck protection and has thumbholes to protect your hands from sun exposure, if you are not wearing sun gloves. Outdoor Research also makes different varieties of the Echo shirt (e.g., quarter zip, long sleeve without hood, t-shirt, etc.).
Day Pack
Opt for a day pack that is light, versatile, and carries enough volume for your day hiking needs. For instance, on many of our Utah day hiking adventures, we select a pack with about 20L-25L, which is enough for us to carry adequate water, a packed lunch, and other essentials.
For our day hiking needs in Utah, we like the Osprey Talon 22L (men’s) or Osprey Tempest 20L (women’s) because they are both high quality, lightweight day packs with ample carrying capacity. These two packs are some of Osprey’s best sellers, and for good reason. They are well-made, versatile packs that will last a long time and can be used as much for travel and city use as for hiking purposes.
The Talon and Tempest come in a variety of sizes: 11L, 22L, 33L, and 44L for the Talon and 9L, 20L, 30L, and 40L for the Tempest. But again, opt for a smaller pack for day hiking.
Trekking Poles
Although trekking poles are optional and a matter of preference, we prefer to use them for added stability. We recommend choosing the lightest weight poles your budget can afford. The Black Diamond Distance Z is our top choice due to its extremely lightweight construction. If you are seeking just one pole, rather than two, consider Gossamer Gear’s LT5, which can be purchased individually.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Since most travelers will likely visit multiple areas of Utah, such as Canyonlands National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, etc., we recommend purchasing a guide book that covers areas in addition to Arches National Park. Therefore, our curated list of guide books focuses on books intended to give you a greater value with a wider breadth of information. However, if you’re looking for more detailed and specific guide books on Arches National Park, we included a few of our favorites below. You’ll also find a few National Geographic topographical maps and non-fiction books on the list that are relevant to the area. In particular, check out Desert Solitaire, written by famous former resident and naturalist Edward Abbey, for a fantastic perspective on the area.
- Utah’s Incredible Backcountry Trails
- Hiking from Here to Wow: Utah Canyon Country
- Non-Technical Canyon Hiking Guide to the Colorado Plateau
- Arches National Park - National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map
- Desert Solitaire
- The Redrock Chronicles: Saving Wild Utah
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