Arches National Park, a red rock wonderland in southeastern Utah, boasts the iconic Devils Garden Trail. This hiking trail is a haven for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts and offers a unique blend of natural beauty, challenging terrain, and captivating geological formations. We will dive into the details for the Devils Garden hike so you can prepare for the trek, get to the trailhead, and enjoy all the arches, fins, and sights along the trail.
- Distance: 7.9 miles roundtrip
- Time to Complete: 3-5 hours
- Difficulty: Hard, some strenuous portions and navigation required.
- No dogs are allowed on this trail, unless they are a service animal per NPS.
Devils Garden is like a playground of a trail and my recommendation for adventurous, semi-skilled hikers looking to get the most out of their visit to Arches. Also, this park requires timed entry tickets from April 1 through October 31, so plan accordingly.
About Devils Garden Hiking Trail
The hardest hike in Arches is Devils Garden Trail which showcases 8 arches in almost 8 miles. You can trek to several arches without going too far from the parking lot, and some are highly accessible making it a good choice for the whole family.
Farther along the trail, you can scramble up and down rocks, traverse on top of rock fins, and soak in some of the park’s most amazing views. You can make this trail short and sweet by visiting 1 or 2 arches, or have a longer trek and see all 8.
Getting There
After driving about 18 miles from the park entrance, you’ll end at the northernmost section of the park where the Devils Garden Trailhead is located.
Devils Garden Trailhead Location
The trailhead for Devils Garden is located at the far end of the main road in Arches National Park. There are ample parking spots but it’s still recommended to arrive early, especially during peak seasons and on weekends, to secure a spot.
Best Times and Seasons to Hike Devils Garden
While the trail is open year-round, spring and fall are considered the best seasons for hiking due to milder temperatures. Utah summers can be scorchingly hot. Winter may bring icy conditions, but snow on the red rocks can be especially beautiful.
Early morning and late afternoon are ideal times for a more comfortable experience during the warmer seasons. The softer sunlight during these times casts warm hues on the red rock formations for a visually stunning hike.
The 8 Arches Along Devils Garden Hike
This hike offers a big bang for your buck with 8 natural arches along the trail. Here is a brief description of each:
1. Landscape Arch
- Spanning over 300 feet, Landscape Arch is known as the “crown jewel of Devils Garden.” It is the longest natural arch in North America and one of the longest in the world.
- 1.8 miles roundtrip, highly accessible path that takes about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. It’s considered wheelchair accessible, however, there are some parts that have a moderate slope and may require assistance.
- This is one of the highlights of Devils Garden, so definitely stop and take in the sights and snap some pictures while here.
2. Double O Arch
- Characterized by two vertically stacked arches, Double O Arch is a distinctive and picturesque feature of the trail.
- 4 miles roundtrip, taking about 2 to 3 hours to complete.
- Another fun area for pictures, and since it’s somewhat far from the trailhead, there tend to be less visitors around.
3. Navajo Arch
- A short, well-marked spur trail takes you to Navajo Arch which offers an intimate, quiet, and different setting than the rest of the hike. Walking under the arch almost feels like you’re entering a cave.
- Several large juniper trees, wildflowers, and occasionally deer can be seen here.
- 2.9 miles roundtrip, taking about 2 hours.
4. Partition Arch
- Positioned along the main trail, Partition Arch provides a window to see the red rock formations and the surrounding landscape.
- This is a perfect spot to sit and watch the sunrise.
- 2.8 miles roundtrip for a 2 hour hike.
5. Private Arch
- Although slightly off the main trail, Private Arch is worth the detour for its secluded and serene setting.
- The arch is set against a backdrop of towering sandstone fins in the primitive trail section.
- 5.3 miles roundtrip, expect to take around 3-3.5 hours.
6. Tunnel Arch
- The first arch situated along Devils Garden is Tunnel Arch which you can see from a distance. A short spur trail takes you to this arch and Pine Tree Arch, which are both very family-friendly.
- Tunnel Arch looks like a big hole missing out of a rock wall and is worth a couple minutes to see.
- Located 0.7 mile from the parking area, it may take around a half hour to hike here and back.
7. Pine Tree Arch
- Named for the juniper tree growing near its base, Pine Tree Arch is a short way from Tunnel Arch.
- The arch provides a shaded area, making it a pleasant spot to rest and enjoy the surroundings.
- 1 mile hike roundtrip, taking about 45 minutes to complete.
8. Black Arch Overlook
- A short detour from the main trail takes you to the Black Arch Overlook. A less-visited viewpoint of an arch along the trail, Black Arch boasts a distinct dark hue set amongst the expansive and captivating red, orange, brown and green landscape.
- Located before Double O Arch, hiking here and back is about 3.7 miles roundtrip.
9. BONUS – Dark Angel
- While not an arch, Dark Angel is a prominent stone monolith visible along the primitive trail. It serves as a landmark and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
- Venturing to Dark Angel adds about 0.8 miles to the total hike and is considered a detour from the main trail. Look for a view of Double O Arch on your way back from Dark Angel for a unique perspective.
- We passed up the opportunity to hike to Dark Angel, solely because of the length of Devils Garden hike overall and wanting to fit in some additional trails in the park later that day.
- 4.7 miles roundtrip, give yourself a bit over 3 hours for this hike.
Hiking the Primitive Trail
The Devils Garden Trail extends beyond its main path to include the primitive trail, a good choice for more adventurous hikers. The primitive trail allows you to complete Devils Garden as a loop trail, going either clockwise or counter clockwise. It should only be attempted if you’re comfortable with navigating without internet service and up for the challenge of a little rock scrambling. If you’re not interested in going this more remote route, you can turn around and retrace your steps to the parking lot.
The primitive trail adds approximately 1.5 miles to the overall hike. Its terrain is a bit more challenging, with narrow ledges, uneven surfaces, and some scrambling. However, this section leads you to stunning viewpoints and offers a more immersive experience of the park.
There is one part about halfway through the primitive trail that involves a drop off (if going clockwise). Depending on the season, this area can fill with water and become a shallow swimming pool. You might be able to traverse around the water (but rocks surrounding it may be slick) or accept it and walk through the water around the edges. Remember, your boots and socks will dry relatively fast in the dry climate.
My Experience on the Devils Garden Hike
We completed this trail in mid April. It was frigid at the beginning of the day so we bundled up with fleece, hats, warm socks, and gloves, but it warmed up nicely by mid-morning. So, layers are a great idea if you’re choosing to travel in between seasons.
We decided to go clockwise so we could see the arches right away and go down the rock drop off on the primitive section instead of having to climb up it. Landscape Arch is the most mesmerizing arch in my opinion, and it was interesting to read the sign that explains a portion of the rock that fell off years prior! However, I most enjoyed sitting by Private Arch to take in the sun rising against the incredible landscape.
I enjoyed the solidarity and quietness of the primitive trail. It was a nice adventure that added some excitement by requiring us to track our position with the offline AllTrails map. Thankfully, there were no puddles, so our boots stayed dry going down the drop off.
The Devils Garden Hiking Trail in Arches National Park is a testament to the awe-inspiring beauty of nature and the geological wonders sculpted by time. By understanding the logistics, ideal times to visit, and the unique features along the trail, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts can embark on a journey that transcends the ordinary.
