🥾 Delicate Arch (3.2 miles, 629 feet elev. gain): Though you can view Delicate Arch from a viewpoint by the road, I highly recommend making the hike to get up-close and personal with the park’s iconic centerpiece. Start this hike early to avoid crowds!
🥾 Dark Angel (4.7 miles, 721 feet elev. gain): This somewhat-challenging hike offers a good taste of most of the things Devils Garden has to offer. It passes several famous arches, including Landscape Arch and Double O Arch For those seeking a bigger challenge, try the Primitive Trail.
🥾 Double Arch (0.6 miles, 95 feet elev. gain): This short walk to one of the most memorable arches in the park shouldn’t be missed.
🥾 Windows Loop & Turret Arch (1.2 miles, 154 feet elev. gain): This relatively short hike takes hikers to several picturesque arches that beautifully frame the distant La Sal Mountains.
🥾 Balanced Rock (0.3 miles, 55 feet elev. gain): This quick stop near the side of the park’s main road is a must-see. The trail guides visitors around the unique Balanced Rock, a formation named for its resemblance to a massive boulder perched on a pedestal.
🥾 Park Avenue (1.8 miles, 298 feet elev. gain): Easy to miss amid the park’s more popular hikes, the Park Avenue Trail guides visitors through massive sandstone walls near the park’s entrance.

⛺ Camping: If you want to experience the park to its fullest, try to snag a campsite at Devils Garden. Be sure to book way in advance, because they are low in quantity and high in demand.
🔭 Stargazing: As an International Dark Sky Park, Arches has very low light pollution, which makes for a fantastic night sky.

🏞️ Canyonlands National Park: If you loved Arches and want more of a challenge, allot a few days to visit Canyonlands NP. It’s only 30 minutes from Arches and has PLENTY to do.
🏙️ Moab: If you can’t camp in the park, you’ll most likely be staying in the nearby town of Moab. The town features plenty of guided outdoor activities, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops.
🧗 Wall Street: If you’re into sport or trad climbing this is a must-visit spot. You can easily spend multiple days here as a climber. Or – if you just want to drive by and see some crazy climbers – it’s a short drive from the entrance to Arches and won’t cost you much time.

📅 When to Visit: Spring & Fall are the most popular times to visit the park, and in Summer – despite the heat – Arches still sees LOTS of people. Consider visiting in the Winter! Winter tends to see far less crowds, and you may catch the park blanketed in snow. In the later winter months (like March, when I visited) you can see the park in its usual state with less people. Make sure to get to the popular spots (Delicate Arch, The Windows Section) early in the morning to avoid parking problems.
⌚ How Long to Visit: You can experience most of what the park has to offer in only 1 day. However, you can easily spend several days there if you’re looking to backpack in the park’s backcountry or if you pair the visit with a trip to Canyonlands.
🚗 How to Get There: Arches is easily accessible by car. The closest major cities are Salt Lake City (3.5 hours), Denver (5.5 hours), or Las Vegas (7 hours).
🛏️ Where to Stay: I’d recommend trying to snag a campsite at Devils Garden Campground, but do so months in advance of your stay. If you don’t like camping, Moab offers plentiful selection of hotels and Airbnbs.
🧳 What to Bring: Make sure you pack all the usual outdoor & hiking gear, e.g., hiking pack, plenty of water, hiking boots/shoes, sunscreen, snacks, hiking poles, and anything else you usually bring. Of course, pack more intensively if you’re camping or backpacking.

✅ DO remember that Arches National Park required a timed entry ticket to enter the park during peak season. Be sure to book this ticket ~1 month in advance.
✅ DO get started early in the day to avoid crowds as best as possible.
✅ DO carry plenty of water with you at all times, no matter how close to the car you are.
❌ DON’T forget sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent sunburn.
❌ DON’T climb on the Arches, it’s illegal and potentially damaging to the landscape.