Arches National Park offers sights unlike any other in the world — it consists of over 2,000 natural stone arches! This landscape will leave you bewildered by its rock formations and inspiring sunsets.
Hiking the trails is the best way to experience the breathtaking views and natural features in Arches, and this article is here to help you find the best easy hikes in Arches National Park!
No matter your age, ability, or skill level, there is a fantastic hike in Arches for you. The best easy hikes in Arches are The Windows, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, Sand Dune Arch, and Park Avenue.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I think this park is best seen from the trail, which is why I’m so excited to share the best easy hikes in Arches with you. Let’s talk about your options!
What are the Best Easy Hikes in Arches?
Arches has a fantastic lineup of easy hikes, each one providing a unique experience to see the spectacular views that the park is known for!
If a trail is less than three miles, doesn’t gain more than 400 feet of elevation, and is somewhere I take my own small children, it’s included in this list of the best easy hiking trails in Arches.
The Windows Trail
The Windows Trail takes you to three massive arches with very little effort! You’ll love exploring the North Window, the South Window, and Turret Arch along this short and easy trail.
The Windows Trail Information
Distance: 1 mile roundtrip
Elevation: 99 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: The first 100 yards is accessible to wheelchairs with assistance
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
If you want to see multiple arches in one area, the Windows Trail is a perfect option. It is considered one of the most scenic locations in the park!
Your short hike begins with a gentle climb up a gravel trail. The path turns into stone stairs and leads you to view the massive North Window Arch, South Window Arch, and Turret Arch. You can get up close to each one and enjoy the views of the LaSal Mountains through the arches.
After you’ve seen all three arches, you can return to the parking lot using the same trail or you can loop around the South Window and follow the primitive trail around the backside of the Windows.
(ALTERNATIVE) The impressive Double Arch is just across the parking lot from the Windows.
Location
The turnoff for the Windows Trailhead is located in the middle of the park, about 9 miles north of the Arches Visitor Center.
Landscape Arch Trail
If you want to see one of the world’s longest natural arches, Landscape Arch is the place to be. This arch is 306 feet long and getting narrower by the minute — how is it still standing?!
Landscape Arch Trail Information
Distance: 1.8 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 40 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes, with assistance
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
Landscape Arch is an amazing example of how the arches in the park are formed and weathered — it is constantly changing a little at a time.
This easy trail takes you to a view of Landscape Arch. You can’t walk under the arch because it isn’t completely stable (you’ll see the evidence of that by looking at the pile of large rocks under the arch).
Your hike begins at the Devils Garden trailhead. The trail is relatively flat and hard-packed from here all the way to Landscape Arch.
Along your way to Landscape Arch, you will see a short spur trail that leads to Pine Tree Arch and another to Tunnel Arch. Take these side trails if you want to see even more arches!
If you’re looking for an adventure in this area, you can keep hiking past Landscape Arch on the Devils Garden Primitive Trail. This trail is difficult and will take you most of the day to complete, but you can read all about it here.
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include Sand Dune Arch, Skyline Arch, and Broken Arch.
Location
The Landscape Arch trail begins at the Devils Garden Campground, which is at the end of the park road (about 18 miles from the park entrance).
Double Arch Trail
Double Arch is one of the most impressive arches in the park! This arch is actually two huge arches that are connected at the base.
Double Arch Trail Information
Distance: 0.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 30 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The trail to Double Arch is only a short distance from the parking lot. You can actually see it from the main road, but be sure to stop and take this short walk to stand underneath the arch! If you want to add a bit of a challenge to your time at Double Arch, you can scramble up the rocks underneath the arch to fully take in how massive it is!
The Double Arch Trail is considered wheelchair accessible, although you will often encounter deep sand along the path that may make it difficult to navigate without assistance.
(ALTERNATIVE) The Windows Trail begins right across the parking lot from Double Arch.
Location
The turnoff for the Double Arch Trailhead is located in the middle of the park, about 9 miles north of the Arches Visitor Center.
Sand Dune Arch Trail
Sand Dune Arch is a favorite for families with young kids! This is a short hike that travels to a wonderful sandy area that will keep your kids entertained for a long time.
Sand Dune Arch Trail Information
Distance: 0.3 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 0 feet
Difficulty: Easy
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: Yes
Pets Allowed: No
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is a great hike for families because it is very short and shaded. The trail leads you to a small arch surrounded by fins of rock, but the best part of this area is all the deep sand to play in.
Please don’t climb on the arch, but please do enjoy the sand of Sand Dune Arch!
(ALTERNATIVE) Other easy hikes in the area include Skyline Arch, Broken Arch, Tapestry Arch, and Landscape Arch.
Location
Sand Dune Arch is located near the end of the park road, about 16 miles north of the park entrance.
Park Avenue Trail
Immerse yourself among the towering sandstone fins and cliffs of Park Avenue! Arches isn’t just made up of arches, and you can enjoy views of other unique rock formations along this trail.
Park Avenue Trail Information
Distance: 2 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 320 feet
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Restrooms: No
Pets Allowed: No
The Park Avenue Trail is not usually considered an easy hike, but hear me out! If you hike this trail from the Park Avenue Trailhead, then you will have a moderate hike because you’ll have to go back up the hill to get to your car at the end of your hike.
But, if you start this trail from Courthouse Towers, you can skip the hill if you want an easier hike. You can hike almost the entire length of Park Avenue before you reach the hill if you’re hiking from this direction. That way, if you want to keep the trail easy, just turn around and don’t hike up the hill!
This trail is stunning as you walk through this narrow canyon with large sandstone formations that resemble a city skyline. You’ll also find potholes in this area (small puddles of water that are critical to the desert landscape).
Location
The official Park Avenue Trailhead and Viewpoint is located about 2.5 miles north of the visitor center along the park road.
If you want to make your hike easier, start at Courthouse Towers, which is just another mile up the scenic drive from there.
Traffic and crowding in Arches can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to be turned away at the entrance of this park due to overcrowding?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Arches Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
What are the Best Wheelchair-Friendly Trails in Arches?
Arches National Park has two trails that are specifically marked as wheelchair-friendly options (Balanced Rock and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint). However, there are several other trails that are considered barrier-free and may be accessed by wheelchair with a little help.
More specific and detailed information about the trails is available on the park’s website, but here are a few of my top picks for wheelchair-friendly trails around the park.
Balanced Rock — this loop trail at the base of a fragile, picturesque rock formation is partially paved and is home to one of the most iconic features in the park.
Delicate Arch Viewpoint — Delicate Arch is the largest free-standing arch in the park. The hike to the arch is not wheelchair-friendly, but this viewpoint has a flat, packed gravel surface that provides a beautiful view of the arch from afar!
Park Avenue Viewpoint — here you will see towering walls that resemble big city buildings. The path to the viewpoint is flat and paved.
The Windows Trail — this area has a lot of arches to admire! The first 100 yards of this trail have a flat, hardened surface and are considered barrier-free.
Double Arch Trail — This relatively flat, hard-packed trail is considered barrier-free and leads to a massive double arch, one of the park’s most impressive features.
Landscape Arch — as you travel from the trailhead to Landscape Arch, the path has a hard-packed surface and is considered barrier-free. However, there are some steep slopes that will require assistance.
Arches Hiking Regulations
To protect this beautiful place and leave it better than you found it, please follow these regulations:
- Don’t climb on the arches. Climbing, scrambling, standing on, or rappelling off any arch is prohibited in the park.
- Never carve or draw anything on the rocks. Even though graffiti is prohibited by law, rangers and volunteer groups spend hundreds of hours every year removing scratches and drawings from the rocks in Arches. Please join us in protecting the park by not leaving your mark.
- Don’t take anything. Rocks, flowers, sticks, etc. must stay in the national park. If you find something cool, take a picture of it, but please don’t remove it.
- Stay on the trail. Please don’t make your own trail or follow trails that other people have made. This is for your own safety and to prevent soil erosion and stomping of plants.
- Pets are not allowed on any park trails. See where you can take your pets if you bring them to the park.
What are the Best Longer Day Hikes in Arches?
If you’re able to hike longer distances and are feeling extra adventurous, Arches has several longer trails that shouldn’t be missed! These trails are definitely not easy, but if you’re looking for a challenge, consider hiking the park’s most popular trails – Delicate Arch, Devils Garden, and the Fiery Furnace.
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is the world’s most famous natural stone arch. The Delicate Arch trail is 3 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 480 feet. You will travel up a steep, slickrock slope with no shade and some exposure to heights. On your way up to the arch, you will have the chance to see a ranch built in the early 1900s as well as a petroglyph panel, evidence of early human markings. Despite its challenges, this trail is very popular, especially at sunset.
Devils Garden
The full Devils Garden trail system is almost 8 miles long and is a premier hiking trail in the park. You will see Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, and Dark Angel. This is a challenging hike with few trail markers, and it includes narrow ledges, steep exposures, uneven surfaces, and rock scrambling.
The Fiery Furnace
This is more of a maze rather than a trail, which makes it easy to get lost in this world of arches, fins, and narrow canyons. For your own safety and to reduce impacts on the area, you are highly encouraged to explore the Fiery Furnace on a ranger-led hike. Tour tickets or self-guided permits are required to enter this area.
This park has so many fun and unique trails to discover. I hope you enjoy these easy hikes in Arches National Park!
More Arches Trip Planning Information
Arches Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Arches — the best airports and roads in the area.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Arches? — itinerary ideas.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
10 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Arches — the top 10 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
Best Things to Do — activities for every adventurer.
The Ultimate Arches Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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