Arches National Park: Devils Garden Was Our Best Hike

Devils Garden: our pick for the best hike in Arches

All things considered, this was our favorite hike in Arches because of how much variety it packs into one trail. The full route is roughly eight miles if you do the primitive loop and worthwhile spur trails, making it a much bigger outing than many of the park’s shorter arch walks—but that is also what makes it feel like a real hiking day rather than a series of viewpoints.

Landscape Arch is impressive, but for us the trail got even better beyond it. The route becomes much more rugged, with deep sand, slickrock, scrambling and stretches where you walk along exposed sandstone fins. Those high sandstone spines were one of our favorite parts: you are moving through the formations instead of simply walking up to an arch, with huge views opening around you as the terrain keeps changing.

We would do the spur trails rather than rushing through the loop. They add mileage, but the combination of arches, windows, fins and viewpoints is exactly why Devils Garden stood out. If you are doing the full primitive loop, we like going clockwise so you tackle more of the rugged scrambling and arch-heavy sections while your legs are fresh.

Start early. This is an especially good sunrise hike. Early light on the red rock is beautiful, the trail can be dramatically quieter, and getting several miles behind you before the desert heats up makes a long exposed hike much more enjoyable. Carry plenty of water and do not underestimate the combination of heat, sand and scrambling.

Worth it? Yes—this is the Arches hike we would build the day around. If Delicate Arch is the park’s signature image, Devils Garden is the better choice for someone who wants the strongest overall hiking experience.

Delicate Arch: the icon

Delicate Arch is the formation you recognize from Utah’s license plate, and we still think it is absolutely worthwhile. At the top it felt almost like a photo shoot as people took turns beneath the arch, but the formation and setting really are special. We would not skip it just because it is popular; we simply would not choose it over Devils Garden if we only had time for one substantial hike.

Windows, Park Avenue + Fiery Furnace Overlook

These work beautifully as scenic-drive stops around the bigger hikes. We would prioritize hiking over trying to collect every named formation. Fiery Furnace can be viewed from the overlook; entering the Fiery Furnace itself has separate permit/reservation requirements.

One current planning note

Arches does not require timed-entry reservations in 2026, although congestion can still temporarily affect entry. Always check current park conditions before your trip.