Honestly, I didn’t expect much from Arches National Park.  I had seen all the photographs of the arches but was doubtful that there was anything more to see.  I was wrong.  Beyond the arches, Arches National Park proved to be not just one of the most beautiful national parks in the United States but also a place to be revered throughout the world.

It is impressive how much diversity is held in what is a relatively small national park.  The limited infrastructure in the park keeps its beauty at the forefront.  Simply driving through the park, allows guests to get a good sense of what makes it so special.  However, to fully immerse youself in the landscape, you are going to want to explore it by foot.  The trails in Arches are limited and it’s easy to hike several within the same day.  This is an overview of the ones I enjoyed most.

PARK AVENUE

Almost immediately upon entering the park there is a turn-off on the left for Park Avenue.  The view here is iconic and can be seen from an overlook just a few steps from the parking lot.  While you could stop there, I would encourage you to walk down into the valley.  I would not consider this a hike as it is only about half a mile but it is well worth the time nevertheless.

WINDOWS LOOP

Further into the park, take a right onto a side road and follow it until it ends.  The trail here leads to several arches.  This is an easy walk but gives an idea of what lies deeper in the park.  The area sits atop a small hill and provides sweeping views of the surrounding deserts.  This is another short hike, about two miles.  Given the distance, there is plenty to see.

We were eating dinner in Moab at Fiesta Mexicana.  We were content to be done for the day until realizing we had missed the most iconic sight in the park.  It was late in the day and nearing sunset but we decided to go for it.  The roughly three mile trail is easy at the beginning, weaving around the Utah desert with no real elevation change.  About a half mile in, you turn a corner to see huge slab of rock.  As the hike continued up the slab, we passed at least a hundred people returning for the day.  Being the only pair headed towards the arch, other hikers offered some sarcastic thoughts about our ability to finish before sunset.  We ignored them and continued on.  There is no marked trail up this rock slab but the grade becomes rather steep.  Nearing the end, you will walk along a rock ledge with moderate exposure.  The arch itself appears abruptly as you turn a corner.  It is situated on a the far side of a kind of natural amphitheater.  The view for us was incredible featuring deep pink skies and a rainbow just behind the arch.  To be clear, this hike offers little beyond the arch itself but is still well worth the effort.

While these other hikes are special, none match the grandeur of Devil’s Garden.  The hike starts at the very end of the park road.  The distance of the entire primitive loop is nearly eight miles.  However, the distance can be tailored to your ability or time allowance.  There are many side hikes branching off of the main path and completing the entire loop is not required.  Make sure to fill your water bottle(s) as you leave the parking lot.  From here a common path heads toward Landscape Arch before splitting for the loop.  At the split, stay left as this side features nearly all the highlights.  Just past the arch, the trail will require some minimal scrambling up a rock ridge.  At the top of the ridge, you can take a side trail towards the beautiful Partition Arch.  While we were not overly impressed by Double Arch or Private Arch, I would recommend continuing to both of them as the views along the way are beautiful.  The trail leading to these arches passes through numerous unique rock formations.  At one point, you pass dozens of thin rock fins.  Do pay close attention to the trail as it can be difficult to follow from this point on.  Make note of prominent features to help you find your way back should you stray off course.  If time permits, continue around the entire loop.  Otherwise, feel free to turn back as there is little else to see.  In just a few miles, the Devil’s Garden Trail illustrates all the unique features that make Arches National Park so special.  Anyone who visits Arches National Park should include this hike as a priority.