This is page 2 of this article. To start at the beginning, click here.
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
1. Balanced Rock
Staring at Balanced Rock, I can’t help but wonder two things. First, how did it manage to erode itself like that? And second, is it going to fall over on me while I’m hiking the trail around it? It is almost magical and other-worldly how it just perches the way it does for as long as it has.
What You Need to Know
Expect some congestion along the roadway as you approach the parking area for Balanced Rock. This is a favorite spot because it’s easily accessible and short, which makes it great for young children.
This trail is 0.3 miles round trip, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, follow the road for 9.2 miles to the Balanced Rock parking area, which will be on your right.
2. The Windows
See three arches along one short stroll (this includes Turret Arch, which is located on a short spur trail off the main loop). Don’t let this picture deceive you….these arches are quite large, and you can stand right under them!
What You Need to Know
From the front side, the two arches are called The Windows. You can hike around the backside, where they are then referred to as The Spectacles (which is a little confusing if you ask me, but you may hear them called by both names). I like hiking the whole loop because the views are lovely, and you lose the crowds a little bit.
The Windows area is a great place to photograph at sunrise or sunset. Drinking water is not available here, but there is a pit toilet.
The trail is 1 mile round trip, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, follow the road for 9.5 miles. Pass Balanced Rock and then take the next right. Follow this road for 2.5 miles until you reach the one-way loop. The trailhead for The Windows is on the right side of the road and is the first trail you will get to along the loop.
3. Devils Garden
If you’re looking for the ultimate Arches National Park experience, a trip through the Devils Garden is an absolute must. While hiking this phenomenal trail, you’ll see not 1….not 2….but 8 different natural arches!
What You Need to Know
The entire Devils Garden hike is 7.2 miles roundtrip, BUT you can just hike part of it to shorten the distance and still have a fun experience. You’ll find the full trail description here!
Pets are not permitted on this trail.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, drive 18 miles to the end of the park road. You will enter a one-way loop, passing the turn-off to the campground. The next parking area is the Devils Garden Trailhead where the trail begins.
4. Courthouse Wash Rock Art
Seeing rock art connects us to the past and helps us to appreciate what we have and the beauty that surrounds us. It’s like going back in time! Try to decipher the pictures and create a story that explains what the ancient people were trying to share.
What You Need to Know
The hike is short but steep to reach the base of the cliffs that the pictographs are on. Pay attention to the instructions on how to start the trail because it is easy to miss it if you aren’t sure where to go.
This trail is 1 mile round trip, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
From Moab, drive north on Highway 191, pass the intersection of 191 and 128, and then cross the bridge over the Colorado River. From the bridge, drive for 0.3 miles until you reach a parking area on your right. This is the trailhead. From the parking area, walk south (back toward Moab) on a gravel path and cross through the Courthouse Wash. Continue hiking south, going uphill toward the cliffs that overlook Highway 191. The rock art is located at the base of these towering cliffs.
5. Double Arch
Stand under the tallest arch in the park! Enjoy this stunning display of the erosive handiwork that formed the park — two arches out of one slab of rock. Amazing!
What You Need to Know
The hike to Double Arch is short and relatively flat, but expect lots of red sand in your car after this one! You will be collecting it in your shoes as you trek to the base of this arch. This is a fun area to explore, so you may want to plan some extra time to hike up the slickrock to get a better look.
This trail is 0.5 miles round trip, and pets are not permitted.
Getting Here
From the Visitor Center, follow the road for 9.5 miles. Pass Balanced Rock and then take the next right. Follow this road for 2.5 miles until you reach the one-way loop. The trailhead for Double Arch is on the right side of the road and is the last trail you will get to along the loop.
Click NEXT to see stops 6-10 — plus a bonus stop!
Hi, we are arriving in Las Vegas on the 1st full week of April. We will be driving to Moab on Sunday. Our plans were to hit all 5 UTAH parks (Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Bryce and Zion) on our way back to Las Vegas. We would be leaving Las Vegas late on the following Saturday. This gives us full days Monday-Fri/Sat. We wanted to hit the highlights of all parks; perhaps seeing one or two of the parks via jeep trails/roads or horseback riding in a park. (obviously renting). We are not backpackers and would enjoy easy hikes as well as viewing the stars in one of the Dark Sky parks. Is this crazy? There will be 3 of us traveling, 1 teenager and 2 50+ year old adults. If so, do you have a recommendation on which parks to hit? Do you do specialized planning? Thank you! Love your site!
It will be tight, but doable. I have some suggestions for hitting all 5 parks in seven days here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/how-many-days-should-i-spend-in-bryce-canyon-national-park/
I also have itineraries for the three busiest Utah parks here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ That will help you beat the crowds and make the most of your time in the area. Have fun!!
Hi,
I just came across your website while I’m in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Utah. Your articles regarding the parks are wonderful and informative. The pictures are most helpful as well. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this so the rest of us wouldn’t need to.
Thank you so much, Linda!
We are visiting in March, do you have any advice about the park at that time of year ?
It’s generally quite nice, but a little on the cold side. Snow and ice are still possible on the trails, so if you have traction devices like yaktraks I’d bring them for safer hiking. Enjoy!
Hi Ash, do you do custom itineraries? I am taking my 4 and 6 year olds and we are planning on hiking some of the parks between Zion and Arches. We’ve never been before and I’m seeing so many beautiful places I just don’t know where to start. We’ll be there in July so I’m hoping for short hikes less than 1.5 miles, preferably with waterfalls and places to swim, that my kids will enjoy. We are driving from Salt Lake City to Denver over 5 days so my goal was to hit a different park every day as we go east. I’m happy to pay for your services, we just need some advice! Thank you!
Hey Pete,
I don’t offer custom itineraries at this time, but you can find my recommendations here: https://www.dirtinmyshoes.com/national-park-trip-itineraries/ I try to keep the hiking trails short and family-friendly, so I think you’ll find some great advice in there for your particular situation.
Have a great trip!
Ash
Do your itineraries include up to date COVID related information and tips for visiting during this unusual time?
Yes! When you get an itinerary, you’ll also receive an email with additional instructions regarding COVID in the park.
Love all your precise directions! We are traveling next week, arriving in Moab area around 6, wondering about doing the park avenue trail on arrival ? One person in our group is not thrilled about climbing stairs, what is the trail like if we start at the courthouse tower end? Shuttle is not an option .. just want to do something on arrival!
You don’t have to climb the stairs if you start from Courthouse Tower….you can turn around before that and then just stop at the the other end to walk to the viewpoint from your car. Have fun!
I loved your article! Just wish I would have been able to read it 7-8 years ago before I went to Arches!! It truly is one of the most magnificent places in the US. Actually all of Utah is I think!
Thanks Cris! Hopefully you’ll get to visit again sometime soon!
What time of year did you go? We’re planning the last week of April, so hopefully it’s not too hot. Thanks for your post! I’m getting stoked to go!!
I go to Arches pretty much anytime but summer. Any of the other seasons are much more enjoyable in my opinion :)
We went to Arches this summer and it was absolutely beautiful! I took my 10 year old son and the two of us hiked all through the park. Our favorite Arches were Sand Dune Arch and Windows Arch. We took our time exploring and every chance we could pull off to explore we did. Since this was the Centennial year of the parks and fourth graders are free we took full advantage! I really recommend spending at least 8-10 hours in the park if you can spare 2 days you won’t be disappointed. We were there at the end of June and it was really HOT we had a cooler full of water and cool clothing.
I’m so glad that you had such a great experience! I’m sure that trip is one that you and your son will talk about for many years!! That’s great that you were prepared for the heat….it sure can be rough hiking out there during the summer. Stay in touch!
Ash
I went this past July and it was awesome. Missed seeing Delicate Arch but did see the Window Arch, Balanced Rock, Courthouse & Park Ave. Now I have an excuse to go back and stay longer next time
Awesome!
It’s always good to go back! Everything looks different each time :)
Didn’t the landscape arch fall several years ago? I was there in 2007 and it was still up. The hike to the Delicate Arch is my favorite. In fact Arches is one of the best parks.
Yeah a few big chunks of the arch fell off but it’s still standing! Quite an amazing place isn’t it?!?!
We hiked The Fins. Breathtaking! We were deep into the hike when a HUGE windstorm came upon us. Although we had to turn back before finishing, it is still memorable: The view, the nature up there, The strength of the wind, the adrenaline. Our group of 5, included two experienced climbers/hikers and one expert climber. 3 of us would do it all over again!!!
Wow sounds amazing! Thank you for sharing that experience — and I love your attitude. Sometimes Mother Nature has some tricks up her sleeve, but it doesn’t have to stop us from making some incredible memories!
We love visiting the National and State Parks and Monuments in Utah! Arches was amazing and so beautiful. Thanks for your posts on the NPs!
Thanks Janet! How lucky you are that you have been able to experience so many wonderful places. I love Utah for that reason…..there is always amazing things to do and see :)
My sister in law was visiting last week and she wanted to go to Arches. I had never been, but had pinned your post in case we ever made the trip down there. We studied your post before we went down and it was so nice to have the length of the hike and your “what you need to know” information. When we got our map, we already had these items planned and we were prepared.
The only thing I think you could have included was Sand Dune Arch. It was the best one for kids, there was a nice breeze, it was in the shade, not too strenuous, and there were a few cracks and crevices to explore. Part of the extended trail past the arch is closed right now because they had some problems with rocks falling, but you can still get to the arch to see. It was not crowded at all.
I’m glad that you guys had a great time Aliza! And thank you for the reminder….although we didn’t love Sand Dune Arch (we don’t have kids to appreciate it), it is a great place to go if you have small children. I will add it on to the end of my list for those that are traveling with their families!
Yes – Corona Arch is a must see. I have also wanted to hike Negro Bill Canyon but haven’t done that yet.
I have also heard good things about Negro Bill Canyon. Moab really has so many things to do….
Even though it’s not in the park Corona Arch rivals any of the arches inside the park. It’s a fairly short and easy trail that begins across from the Gold Bar campground on the river. I consider it a must do in the Moab area.
Bill, thank you for the recommendation! I have heard of Corona Arch but have never been there, so I will definitely check it out when I head down that way in a couple of weeks!