Hikes in Arches National Park

Looking through the arches in this national park is like peering into a world of magic, where gravity is defied by elegance and resilience. Over 2,000 natural arches are spread throughout the 120 square miles protected by Arches National Park. It is hard to believe that so many amazing arches can exist in one place, but they do, and arches are more numerous here then anywhere else on the planet. The sandstone spans draw over one million visitors a year to Arches, which became a national park in 1971.

Highlights of Arches National Park

  • This 3-mile hike visits this most iconic arch in the world, a beautiful span in Arches National Park that should not be missed.
  • This l2 to 7.2-mile hike visits the longest natural arch in the world, along with other enjoyable arches in Arches National Park.
  • This 0.4-mile hike in Arches National Park ends below a wide arch near the top of a sandstone fin.
  • This 0.25-mile loop circles a perilous block of sandstone balancing near the center of Arches National Park.
  • This 0.8-mile hike visits a pair of connected arches in the Windows region of Arches National Park.
  • This 1-mile loop presents three of Arches National Park's arches in close proximity, the North and South Windows and Turret Arch.

Hiking Arches National Park

Arches National Park is so compact that it is possible to hike to several stunning arches in just one day. Landscape Arch is longest arch in the world, and Delicate Arch might be the most beautiful. Don’t leave Arches without seeing this famous arch, which you will recognize from the Utah license plate.

Arches National Park has a single entrance, where a $30 vehicle fee is charged (price as of 2019). The entrance is located a couple miles from Moab, Utah. From the entry point, a road continues into the park for eighteen miles, accessing many excellent trails.

Camping in Arches National Park
The 52-site Devils Garden Campground is the only campground in the park. Located at the north end of the Park Avenue, the $25 per night campground is adjacent to Devils Garden Trailhead, which is used to reach Landscape Arch). While camping inside the park is limited, camping is plentiful at nearby Bureau of Land Management campgrounds.

Arches National Park GeologyArch Formation:
Over 150 million years ago, sand deposited here on the Colorado Plateau atop a dry seabed. The sediment eventually hardened into sandstone. Uneven pressure from below created cracks in the surface of the sandstone. Erosion widened the cracks to form fins. From there, chemical weathering carved the arches standing today.

Arches National Park Hikes
This collection of trails in Arches National Park lists hikes from north to south. The table may also be sorted alphabetically or by distance to help you pick your next hike. Each trail links to its own report complete with photos, GPS maps, elevation profiles, directions, and all the other information needed to locate and enjoy these hikes. You can also view hikes around Arches National Park on the Hike Finder Map.

Trail
Description
Distance
Location
Landscape Arch600Landscape Arch
This level out and back hike visits the longest natural arch in the world along with other enjoyable arches.
2 - 7.2 miles
130 feet
38.78285,
-109.5951
Skyline Arch610Skyline Arch
This short out and back hike ends below a wide arch near the top of a sandstone fin.
0.4 miles
40 feet
38.772,
-109.59095
Delicate Arch620Delicate Arch
This out and back hike visits this most iconic arch in the world, a beautiful span that should not be missed.
3 miles
480 feet
38.73565,
-109.5206
Balanced Rock630Balanced Rock
This short loop circles a perilous block of sandstone balancing near the center of Arches National Park.
0.33 miles
50 feet
38.70176,
-109.56605
Double Arch640Double Arch
This out and back hike visits a pair of connected arches in the Windows region of Arches National Park.
0.8 miles
125 feet
38.68825,
-109.5384
Window Arches650Window Arches
This loop presents three arches in close proximity, the North and South Windows and Turret Arch.
1 mile
150 feet

38.68715,
-109.53675
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Watchman Trail Zion National Park hike
The closest trail to the south entrance of Zion Nation Park, and one of the best introductions to Zion, is Watchman Trail. This 3.5-mile lollipop loop climbs 500 feet to a rocky bench on the east side of Zion Canyon. The destination serves up stunning views of a nearby tower named The Watchman and several standout rock formations on the walls of Zion Canyon. From the Zion National Park... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 3.5 miles · Elevation change: 500 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Canyon Overlook Trail Zion National Park hike
Rarely is a mile-long hike as action packed and rewarding as Canyon Overlook Trail. The overlook sits on the rim of Pine Creek Canyon, which adjoins Zion Canyon to provide massive views of thousand-foot tall sandstone bluffs. There are ravines and overhangs along the short trail that will keep you entertained along the way. This excellent hike is appealing to all, especially those with... Read more.
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Tagged with · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 1 mile · Elevation change: 150 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Riverside Walk Zion National Park trail river narrows hike
Riverside Walk accesses the notorious narrows north of Zion Canyon, making it one of the most popular trails in Zion National Park. To the end of the trail (at the start of the narrows) and back is a 1.8-mile hike over a level walkway bordering the Virgin River. Those looking to escape the Utah summer heat can leave the trail at any of several river access points to take a refreshing swim. ... Read more.
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Tagged with · Creeks · Desert Canyons · National Parks · Zion Canyon
Distance: 1.8 miles · Elevation change: 60 feet
By: Published: Last updated: December 31, 2017
Moab Campgrounds Utah Bureau of Land Management Camping Areas
If you are visiting Arches or Canyonlands and are planning to camp, you should know that camping within these national parks is quite limited. Fortunately, the Bureau of Land Management operates over two dozen developed campgrounds (with over 400 individual sites) outside these parks around the city of Moab. Each of the BLM campgrounds are first-come first-serve, so it is best to arrive... Read more.
By: Published: Last updated: February 10, 2020
Utah Hikes Negro Bill Canyon Trail Morning Glory Bridge hike Colorado River Moab Utah Hike
This 4.65-mile round trip hike starts above the banks of the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah, and travels up a scenic canyon alongside a much smaller stream. The trek terminates at a stunning 243-foot long natural bridge, the sixth largest natural rock span in America. The level dirt trail to Morning Glory Bridge ascends just 300 feet and offers plenty of serenity along the way. ... Read more.
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Tagged with · Bureau of Land Management · Creeks · Desert Canyons · Free Trails · Moab · Natural Bridges
Distance: 4.65 miles · Elevation change: 300 feet
By: Published: Last updated: February 10, 2020