Pros & cons
PROS
- Dramatic, solitary 150‑ft sandstone spire with sweeping views
- Less crowded than the arches, offering a quieter payoff at the end
- Fun add‑on spur beyond Double O Arch; you might spot climbers on the tower
CONS
- Adds extra distance to an already long Devils Garden hike
- Fully exposed to sun with sandy, uneven sections
Overview
Dark Angel is the moody, freestanding rock spire perched at the far end of the Devils Garden maze. It’s not an arch (a surprise to some), but that’s the point—this vertical pillar feels different from everything you’ve seen on the way in.
Getting There
Start from the Devils Garden trailhead. The path is wide and easy to Landscape Arch, then turns rougher on the Primitive Loop. After you pass Double O Arch, a short spur carries you to Dark Angel. The approach mixes slickrock, sandy stretches, and route-finding via cairns—nothing technical, but it’s not a sidewalk either.
What Makes It Worth the Detour
The spire stands alone above Salt Valley, giving big desert views and a welcome sense of solitude compared to the marquee arches you pass en route (Landscape, Double O, plus optional spurs to Navajo and Partition). It’s also a recognized climbing objective, so you may catch climbers inching up the tower.
Trail Experience
Expect sun, heat, and very little shade. The improved trail ends at Landscape Arch; beyond that you’re on rougher terrain. The final spur to Dark Angel is mostly flat but sandy, and it can feel longer at the tail end of a big day.
Geology Snapshot
Dark Angel is a sandstone tower carved by relentless erosion in a landscape of parallel rock fins. The broader Devils Garden formed as underlying salt layers shifted and the overlying rock fractured, then weathered into today’s fins, arches, and spires.
Wildlife
This corner of Devils Garden sees fewer people, which ups your odds of spotting desert lizards, birds, and small mammals along the way.
Climbing Note
The spire is an established climb. If you’re heading up, follow park regulations and keep an eye out for any seasonal closures (often for nesting raptors).
Best Time to Visit
Go early or late for cooler temps and better light on the pillar; midday can be harsh and washed out. Crowds thin significantly beyond Double O Arch, so even during busy periods this spur stays relatively quiet.
Know Before You Go
There are no services at Dark Angel—no water, no restrooms, no shade structures. All facilities are back at the Devils Garden trailhead. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, solid footwear, and a map or GPS—the primitive sections and spurs can be confusing.
Where it is
38.8014, -109.6275Tips for Dark Angel
- 01Start at sunrise to beat heat and decide at Double O Arch if you’ll add the spur.
- 02Carry more water than you think—there’s no water or shade at Dark Angel.
- 03After Landscape Arch the route becomes primitive; follow cairns over slickrock.
- 04Expect sandy stretches; closed shoes or gaiters help keep sand out.
- 05Download a map or GPS—spurs and intersections can be confusing when you’re tired.
Amenities
Near Dark Angel
All places →All trails →
0.4 mi awayDouble O ArchTwo stacked arches after a fun fin scrambleScenic Viewpoint
0.6 mi awayPrivate ArchA quiet arch on the Primitive Trail, perfect for a peaceful pauseScenic Viewpoint
0.7 mi awayBlack Arch OverlookQuick spur with big views and a hard-to-spot archScenic Viewpoint
0.8 mi awayDevils GardenFin-and-arch playground with a choose-your-own epic loopTrailhead · Restroom
1.8 mi awayDevils Garden Primitive LoopArches’ most adventurous loop through fins, arches, and slickrockChallenging · 7.8 mi · 4.5 hr
1.8 mi awayLandscape Arch TrailEasy walk to one of the world’s longest natural rock spansEasy · 1.8 mi · 1 hr
2.2 mi awayDevil's Garden TrailArches galore with an optional rugged, route-finding loopChallenging · 7.9 mi · 4 hr
2.2 mi awayDevils Garden Loop TrailArches galore, airy fins, and a spicy Primitive loop.Challenging · 7.9 mi · 4.5 hr
