Hiking Arches North and South Window Arch Turret Arch North and South Window Arch and Turret Arch Loop Arches National Park Utah

This one-mile loop visits three impressive arches in close vicinity. The North and South Window Arches form openings in the same sandstone fin, while Turret Arch stands within a more castle-like formation. The circle between the arches has three spurs leading to the base of each arch, creating an action-packed hike with just 150 feet of elevation gain.

North Window Arch
North Window Arch

The first stop on the loop is North Window Arch. A tenth of a mile from the trailhead, turn left at the junction and continue another tenth of a mile up stone steps the base of the arch. You can stand directly beneath North Window and look out at a rustic landscape of sandstone hoodoos that lie beyond the arch. A primitive trail through this area known as The Spectacles begins at the next stop, South Window Arch.

Arches National Park Turret Arch
A view of Turret Arch from North Window Arch

As you leave North Window Arch, catch a nice view of Turret Arch on the other side of the loop. After a short distance, the trail come to a junction with a short spur going to the left to South Window Arch. This arch is elevated from the desert floor, and the trail stops below the base of the sandstone fin.

Window Arches
North and South Window Arch

Continue clockwise around the loop toward Turret Arch, looking over your shoulder for a broad view of both Window Arches.

Turret Arch is the smallest of the three. Step through the span for a view of the Windows framed by Turret Arch.

When done, proceed around the loop and down to the trailhead. The well-marked one-mile trek makes it easy to visit three impressive arches in a short period of time, and the minimal 150 feet of elevation change makes the trail feasible for hikers of all abilities.

Arches National Park Turret Arch
Turret Arch

To get to the trailhead: From the visitor center, drive 9.5 miles up Park Avenue (0.3 miles past Balanced Rock) and turn right toward the Windows Section. Drive an additional 2.5 miles to the loop at the end of the road where the parking area for the trailhead is located.

Trailhead address: The Windows Section, Arches National Park, Moab, UT 84532
Trailhead coordinates: 38.68715, -109.53675 (38° 41′ 13.23″N 109° 32′ 12.76″W)

Elevation Profile
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Photos

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These photos were taken in June of 2010. Click to enlarge.
Nearby Trails
Arches National Park Double Arch
This 0.8-mile hike visits a pair of connected arches in the Windows region of Arches National Park.
Arches National Park Delicate Arch
This 3-mile hike visits this most iconic arch in the world, a beautiful span that should not be missed.
Arches National Park Balanced Rock
This short loop circles a perilous block of sandstone balancing near the center of Arches National Park.
Arches National Park Landscape Arch
This level 2.5-mile hike visits the longest natural arch in the world along with two other enjoyable arches.
Arches National Park Skyline Arch
This short 0.4-mile hike ends below a wide arch near the top of a sandstone fin.
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Tagged with · Arches · National Parks
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 150 feet

7 Comments on North and South Window Arch and Turret Arch Loop in Arches National Park

  1. […] the park, stopping here and there at the many roadside attractions, including Balanced Rock and The Windows. Despite the potentially photogenic landscape features, the sun remained obscured behind mostly […]

  2. […] headed deeper into the park to check out The Windows and Double Arch.  There were scads of people hiking The Windows Trail and only a few on their way […]

  3. […] highlight of our trip was a formation entitled the North Window. Although the park’s website says this formation is best seen at sunset, it is just as […]

  4. […] hikespeak.com […]

  5. […] The Windows / Turret Arch & Double Arch.  Almost as iconic as Delicate Arch, the North and South Windows are especially nice when viewed in the late afternoon.  However, they’re pretty impressive any time of day, and Turret Arch (on the same trail) and Double Arch (across the parking area) offer quite a lot of gain for the minimal pain of this hike. About 2 miles RT […]

  6. […] Section is a favorite space while you’re quick on time due to its massive focus of arches like North Window, Turret, and Double which might be viewable from the highway. However the hike to Utah license plate iconic […]

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