NPS Photo by Neal Herbert
Hiking the Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Easier Hiking
Trails
Balanced Rock
Starting Point: Balanced Rock parking area
Length: 0.3 mi/0.5 km round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A loop trail around the base of a fragile, picturesque rock
formation.
Broken Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area or Devils Garden
campground across from campsite #40
Length: 1.2 mi/2 km round trip; 2 mi/3.2 km including the
loop
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
From the Sand Dune Arch parking area, the trail cuts across
a large meadow to the arch and continues to the campground.
Loop trail leads through fin canyons with sand dunes and
slickrock.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
Starting Point: Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking area
Length: 100 yards (91 meters) round trip
Time: 10 to 15 minutes
In addition to the short accessible trail, another (moderately
strenuous) hiking trail climbs one-half mile (0.8 km) toward
Delicate Arch and ends at the rim of a steep canyon that
separates the viewpoint from the arch. (This is not the
popular trail to Delicate Arch, which starts at the Wolfe
Ranch parking area.)
Double Arch
Starting Point: Double Arch parking area
Length: 0.5 mile (0.8 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
A relatively flat, sandy trail leads to the base of two
giant arch spans which are joined at one end.
Landscape Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden trailhead parking area
Length: 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A relatively flat, gravel-surfaced trail (usually heavily
populated with hikers) leads to a spectacular ribbon of
rock, whose span is more than a football field in length.
Short side trips to Tunnel and Pine Tree Arches. Trail
guide available at trailhead.
Sand Dune Arch
Starting Point: Sand Dune Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Trail leads through deep sand to a secluded arch among
sandstone fins.
Skyline Arch
Starting Point: Skyline Arch parking area
Length: 0.4 mile (0.6 km) round trip
Time: 10 to 20 minutes
A short hike on a flat, well-defined trail. On a cold November
night in 1940, a large chunk fell out of the arch, instantly
doubling the size of its opening.
The Windows
Starting Point: Windows parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) round trip
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
A gentle climb up a gravel loop trail leads to three massive
arches (North and South Windows and Turret Arch). An alternate
return, slightly longer, is by way of the primitive loop
around the back of the two Windows. The primitive loop
trail starts at the South Window viewpoint.
Moderate / Intermediate Hiking Trails
Park Avenue
Starting Point: Park Avenue parking area
Ending Point: Courthouse Towers parking area
Length: 1 mile (1.6 km) one way
Time: 30 to 60 minutes
Elevation change: 320 feet (98 meters)
From Park Avenue parking area, the trail descends steeply
into a spectacular canyon and continues down the wash to
Courthouse Towers. If you have a shuttle driver, you can
begin at one point and be picked up at the other. For round-trip
hiking, retrace your steps along the trail rather than walk
along the park road.
Tower Arch
Starting Point: Klondike Bluffs parking area,
via the Salt Valley road
Length: 3.4 miles (5.6 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
The trail climbs a steep, but short, rock wall, cuts across
a valley and then meanders through sandstone fins and sand
dunes. An alternate, shorter trail (0.3 mile [0.4 km] one
way), begins at the end of the four-wheel-drive road on
the west side of Tower Arch. This unpaved road washes out
quickly in rainstorms; inquire at the visitor center about
road conditions before heading out.
Longer More Difficult Hiking Trails
Delicate Arch
Starting Point: Wolfe Ranch parking area
Length: 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Elevation change: 480 feet (146 meters)
Take at least 1 quart (1 liter) of water per person! There
is no shade. Open slickrock with some exposure to heights.
The first half-mile is a wide, well-defined trail. Upon reaching
the slickrock, follow the rock cairns. The trail climbs gradually
and levels out toward the top of this rock face. Just before
you get to Delicate Arch, the trail goes along a rock ledge
for about 200 yards.
Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 7.2 mi/11.5 km round-trip, including all points of
interest
Time: 3 to 5 hours
Longest of the maintained trails in the park, the Devils
Garden Trail leads to eight awe-inspiring arches. Expect
narrow ledges with rocky surface hiking and scrambling on
slickrock. Not recommended when rock is wet or snowy. Trail
guide available at trailhead.
Double O Arch
Starting Point: Devils Garden Trailhead parking area
Length: 4 miles (6.4 km) round trip
Time: 2 to 3 hours
Beyond Landscape Arch, the trail becomes more challenging
as it climbs over sandstone slabs; footing is rocky; there
are narrow ledges with exposure to heights. Spur trails lead
to Partition and Navajo Arches. Dark Angel is one-half mile
(0.8 km) farther. Trail guide available at trailhead.
Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace is a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons
and fins. There are no marked trails and the area has suffered
resource damage due to increased visitation. Hikers who
want to explore the Fiery Furnace must obtain a permit
at the visitor center (fee charged) and watch a minimum
impact video. All visitors are encouraged to sign up for
a ranger-guided
hike.
Recommended Backpacks with Water Reservoirs
