13 Best Arches in Arches National Park for Hiking & Exploring [2023]
Exploring the best arches in Arches National Park is one of the most magnificent ways to get outside and experience the pure beauty within the state of Utah.
Arches National Park is one of the most popular parks in the state of Utah and is home to some of the most epic arches, beautiful red rock landscapes, and some of the most surreal hiking in the area!
From day-long hikes to arches right near the parking lot, there are plenty to see in this great national park.
I’ve asked fellow blogger Abby from Trekking Prices to give us some insight into which arches in the park are must-visits during your time in Southern Utah.
Let’s jump right into it!
Best Arches in Arches National Park to See
If you’re looking for some of the best arches to see during your visit to Arches National Park, there are plenty to be found! Here are the best ones.
1. Delicate Arch [Most Popular Arch]
Hike Distance: 3.2 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
The Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in Arches National Park. It takes the cake for one of the most popular Utah hikes, next to Angels Landing and The Narrows.
The hike to the arch is roughly 3 miles out and back and does get pretty steep the closer you get to the arch.
Delicate Arch is iconic and will have you mesmerized by its tremendous size as you make your way closer to the arch.
This arch stands out amongst the crowd because it is the park’s largest free-standing arch, with a 46-foot opening between the arch and the ground. Plus, it’s 32 feet wide!
You’ll definitely want to get here early to see Delicate Arch because it gets very busy and there’s sometimes even a line to take a picture under the arch.
2. Skyline Arch [My #2 Pick]
Hike Distance: 0.4 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Skyline Arch Tail is a little less than half a mile out and back and is a very easy and flat trail that will take you to the arch.
The arch itself is beautiful and is right on the skyline, it’s a breathtaking view to take in, especially with blue skies!
It’s the perfect hike if you’re traveling with little ones that won’t do as well on the longer hikes.
Plus, it isn’t as popular as other arches in the park, so you won’t have to worry as much about crowds!
3. Double O Arch [My #3 Pick]
Hike Distance: 4.1 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
The Double O Arch Trail is a great option for those looking for a bit of a challenge and searching for a longer hike.
This hike is roughly 4 miles in length and will take you past countless arches as you make your way to the Double O Arch.
The arch gets its name because there are two arches stacked on top of one another, one very large and one smaller.
You’ll start from the Devil’s Garden trailhead and follow one of the same trails that leads you past several of the arches on this list.
So with this hike, you’ll cover a lot of ground and get sort of a 2-for-1 (or maybe a 6-for-1!), since you’ll see other arches like Landscape Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Tunnel Arch on your way.
Visiting Double O Arch is a great option for those looking to experience a little bit more of Arches National Park and get in a solid workout while doing so!
4. Sand Dune Arch
Hike Distance: 0.3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is a beautiful and super short out-and-back hike that will have you in awe of the various rock formations and the Sand Dune Arch.
This trail requires you to walk through some sand, so lace up your hiking boots, but it is worth the small trek to see the charming arch.
It’s unique from others, being that it sits closer to the ground and tucked back into the canyon walls.
One of the best parts of this trail is that it offers some shade, whereas most of the other trails have no shade at all!
5. Pine Tree Arch
Hike Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
To reach Pine Tree Arch Trail, you’ll take about 1 mile out and back, which is a great short and easy hike for those looking for great views and a leisurely hike to enjoy!
Pine Tree Arch is smaller than others, but it’s also less busy, so you won’t have to worry about crowds or sharing the viewpoint.
You’ll reach the arch from the Devil’s Garden trailhead, and you’ll follow the same trail that you would for Landscape Arch or Double O Arch.
But rather than continuing straight on the trail, you’ll turn off on a spur trail and walk to the arch.
You can also turn off in the other direction and take the short spur trail to Tunnel Arch!
6. Double Arch
Hike Distance: 0.6 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Not to be confused with Double O Arch, Double Arch is another unique viewpoint within the park, and is one of the best arches in Arches National Park.
This trail is a little over half a mile out and back and it does require some rock scrambling at the very end.
However, you can definitely catch great views of the double arch from a small distance if you don’t want to do any of the scrambling.
Double Arch gets its name because you can see two arches connected by one big rock formation.
It’s a unique arch in the park, and you’ll find lots of people here admiring it.
7. Landscape Arch
Hike Distance: 1.9 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
The Landscape Arch is a relatively flat hike that is about 2 miles in distance out and back.
This is a great option for those looking for something easy and scenic to do during their time at Arches National Park.
Landscape Arch itself is a beautiful arch that stretches out horizontally across the landscape and will have you admiring its drastic beauty.
It’s the longest arch in North America and many people fear that it will fall in the near future, because at its narrowest point, it’s only 6 feet in diameter.
You’ll pass by several other arches on your way, and you’ll also have the option to continue on further and see multiple other arches on Devil’s Garden Trail.
8. Navajo Arch
Hike Distance: 2.9 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Navajo Arch is a unique one, as you’re able to walk right underneath it, and it feels like you can almost touch the sandstone arch, since it sits fairly low to the ground, compared to others.
The hike is a great easy trail that is roughly 3 miles out and back. During this hike, you will pass several different arches and various rock formations along the way.
It is important to note that this trail does require a bit of rock scrambling at the end but it is not too challenging and worth it to see the Navajo Arch up close.
This does make a nice spot to stop and have a bite to eat though because Navajo Arch offers some rare shade in Arches National Park.
9. Tunnel Arch
Hike Distance: 0.7 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
The Tunnel Arch Trail is a little over half a mile in length out and back and is considered an easy trail.
Tunnel arch itself is a beautiful rock formation that leaves a tunnel within the surrounding red rocks, it’s truly a marvelous arch to view.
It’s a pretty small arch compared to others and is found high on a striped sandstone rock formation, nestled amongst the greenery.
10. The Windows
Hike Distance: 0.7 roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
This loop trail offers viewpoints of some of the most iconic arches in Arches National Park; the Windows.
Windows Loop Trail is a very popular hiking trail within Arches National Park that leads you to the North Window and South Window arches.
On this hike you will experience a handful of different arches and it’s a great trail for those looking to discover countless arches and take in the surrounding red rock formations.
When it comes to the arches themselves, there are several arches that are formed out of the surrounding red rocks which make them look like windows throughout.
It’s truly a spectacular sight to see, and is a popular spot for watching the sunrise beyond the horizon.
From the Windows Loop, you can also see the popular Turret Arch.
11. Partition Arch
Hike Distance: 2.8 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
The Partition Arch Trail is about 3 miles out and back and is a great easy route for those looking to experience some arches.
Although most of the trails in Arches National Park are considered to be pretty popular hiking trails, Partition Arch is a bit less popular than most and will likely have fewer crowds than some of the bigger name trails like Delicate Arch.
It’s another one of the arches found on the Devil’s Garden trail, so you can pair this one with other like Landscape Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
Partition Arch itself is a beautiful arch that has a view out to the La Sal Mountains and the rolling hills beyond the park through the rock formation.
12. Tapestry Arch
Hike Distance: 0.6 mile roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy
Tapestry Arch Trail is a little over half a mile out and back and is a very flat hike.
The arch itself is gorgeous as you will be able to take in several different arch formations across the landscape of red rocks.
Tapestry Arch sits tucked up against other tall rock formations and it is called a ‘blind arch’ because all you’ll see behind it is the rock behind it.
You’ll reach the arch from the Devil’s Garden Campground.
13. Private Arch
Hike Distance: 5.3 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate
For those looking for a longer hike to see some truly spectacular arches and rock formations, the Private Arch Trail is a great option for you.
This trail is a little over 5 miles out and back and is a great way to spend some time outdoors and see more arches that have fewer crowds.
You’ll pass by several beautiful arches and also get to see amazing views of the La Sal Mountains on a clear day!
It is important to note that this hike is rated to be moderately challenging and that it can get pretty slick after rain or snow!
We recommend hitting this trail on dryer days (like in the summer!) so that you have better conditions to explore the area.
How Many Arches Are in Arches National Park?
There are well over 2,000 different arches within Arches National Park and each one of them is unique and varies in size!
But while the National Park Service has documentation of over 2,000 arches, there could be many more that are just waiting to be discovered.
What is the Best Arch to See at Arches National Park?
The best arch to see at Arches National Park is most definitely Delicate Arch. As the tallest and best free-standing arch in the park, it’s a must-see.
This arch is one of the most famous arches in the entire park and is even the arch that Utah modeled its license plates after!
Additionally, another one of the best arches to see at Arches National Park is The Windows because of its unique structure and the way that you can see through both of these arches on both sides.
From The Windows, you can also easily get to Turret Arch, so it makes for a 2-for-1.
Tips for Visiting Arches National Park in Utah
There are countless tips that we recommend when visiting Arches National Park in Utah.
Below you will find a condensed list of the top tips to make your visit to Arches NP even more memorable.
- Drink plenty of water – No matter what time of year you plan on visiting Arches, drinking water is always crucial when exploring a new area and spending time outdoors, especially in this hot, arid climate. You will want to drink plenty of fluids so that you stay healthy and happy while exploring this beautiful area!
- Pack energy bars – You will be spending a significant amount of time inside the park and will most likely be hitting several trails to fully grasp the best arches in Arches National Park. Be sure to bring the best energy bars for hiking so that you can stay full, energetic, and enthusiastic while you are exploring the park!
- Bring layers – When visiting a desert climate, it is always important to bring layers with you! Oftentimes, the morning and evenings can be rather chilly so you will want to pack accordingly.
- Wear comfortable hiking clothes – Whether you plan on embarking on multiple-mile hikes or you plan on going on leisurely hikes throughout the park to see various arches, be sure to wear comfortable hiking clothes like hiking socks that will prevent blisters. This keeps your body healthy and makes the experience more enjoyable!
- Go early or visit in the off-season – Arches National Park has quickly become one of the most visited parks in the country. It gets busy and crowded very fast. Visit early in the morning or during the winter to avoid these crowds and wait times to get in the park.
- Take it in – There will be countless scenic overlooks as well as endless hikes to embark on and you will want to take endless photos the entire time however, make sure that you take a moment to truly appreciate your surroundings and appreciate the beauty of Arches National Park.
Best Time to Visit Arches NP
The best time to visit Arches National Park is during the spring and fall months. The weather during both of these seasons is excellent where it is not too hot or not too cold.
Additionally, if you plan your trip around the spring or fall, oftentimes you can avoid the major crowds that come during the summer and avoid the summertime heat that comes with Moab’s desert climate.
Furthermore, if you visit Arches National Park during the winter months, many times the conditions are not supreme to truly take in the views of the beautiful red rock arches and hit the trails.
Oftentimes, in the winter, you will be dealing with snow and ice and therefore, you won’t be able to see the red rock formations in their prime and it makes the hiking and road conditions not ideal to be embarking on an adventure.
If you do plan on visiting the area in the winter, be sure to pack your crampons or microspikes so that you can hike more efficiently and avoid slipping while hitting the trails!
When it comes to what time of day you should visit Arches National Park, we recommend visiting the park early in the morning or in the evening.
This allows you to take in some of the scenic viewpoints and hikes without all the crowds that typically show up around noon.
If you plan on hitting the trails in the morning or in the evening near sunrise or sunset, be sure to pack the best hiking flashlight so that you can easily see the trails during your excursion!
FAQs
How Do Arches Form?
Arches originally formed from erosion when water covered up the mountains and rock formations and began to slowly wither away rock fragments and pieces. Now different arch formations and various rock designs are created by snow, rain, and wind that erode rock and carry sediment away.
Why are Arches Red?
Arches are red due to the iron oxide that gives them this color within their sandstone.
What is the Tallest Arch in Arches National Park?
The tallest arch in Arches National Park is the Double Arch South at 112 feet tall!
What is the Most Famous Arch in Arches National Park?
The most famous arch in Arches National Park is the Delicate Arch. This arch is the largest free-standing arch in Arches National Park, meaning, this arch stands off on its own without other rock walls to hold it up. The opening beneath the arch is a whopping 46 feet tall.
What is the Main Arch at Arches National Park?
Delicate Arch is the main arch at Arches National Park and is largely regarded as the most famous arch in the entire park. This arch is incredible due to it being the largest free-standing arch in the park and because of its giant size!
Wrap-Up: Arches in Arches National Park
Exploring the best arches in Arches National Park is a great way to spend time in the great outdoors.
Arches National Park has so much to offer for everyone including drastic scenery, incredible hikes, and scenic drives.
And with so many amazing arches to experience (over 2,000!), you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.
You must visit Arches National Park if you are searching for a grand adventure with endless terrain and views to take in!
