Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch is a ribbon-thin sandstone arch at the far end of Devils Garden, in the northern part of Arches. This is the easy out-and-back to the arch, about 1.9 miles round trip; it is a good way to see the headline feature without taking on the harder trail beyond. The span looks almost too slight to hold together, and the view makes more sense in person than in a photo.

The hard-packed trail rises and dips among tall sandstone fins, with little overall elevation gain. Two short spurs reach Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch between the trailhead and Landscape Arch; taking both adds about half a mile. Allow roughly 30–60 minutes for the Landscape Arch out-and-back, plus time for those detours if you want them.

The path ends at a protected view of the arch; visitors do not walk beneath it. Beyond the arch, the route climbs steeply over sandstone slabs, with rough footing and narrow ledges. The more difficult walk toward Double O Arch involves scrambling with hands and feet. Turn back at Landscape Arch if you came for a short, manageable outing.

The first section is listed as barrier-free, but the slopes just before the arch can require assistance; beyond the arch, the trail is not wheelchair accessible. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.

Its opening stretches 306 feet, the longest arch span in North America. At its thinnest point, the rock is only about six feet across. The viewing area is set back from the arch, so it can look distant at first; take a moment to follow the whole line from one side to the other. The classic view holds the full opening against the sandstone wall, with the rocky slope below giving it scale.

On September 1, 1991, visitors heard cracking and watched a major rockfall from the arch. Large pieces broke away, a vivid reminder that sandstone arches keep changing. That event is part of what makes the remaining span feel so fragile; stay in the protected viewing area.

The rock is Entrada Sandstone, formed from fine sand that shifted across an ancient desert. Movement in deep salt deposits cracked the overlying beds into long, parallel fins. Rain slowly loosens the cement holding the sandstone together, and freezing water widens cracks; over time, openings form through the fins. Landscape Arch is one striking stage in that process, not a finished or permanent shape.

Devils Garden is at the end of the park road, about 18 miles and 45 minutes from the visitor center. Its parking lot often fills for long stretches at busy times, so an early start can save a wait. Restrooms are open year-round, while drinking water is available at the trailhead only in spring through fall; plan for the hike without counting on a refill at the arch.