Pros & cons
PROS
- Shady, cave-like alcove that stays cool
- Quieter than nearby marquee arches
- Short, signed spur off Devils Garden Trail
CONS
- Some uphill and light scrambling past Landscape Arch
- Midday light can be flat and tricky for photos
Why go
Navajo Arch is the antidote to the big, airy spans you see elsewhere. Tucked into a sandstone fin, it feels like stepping into a natural room—cool, quiet, and unexpectedly intimate. If Landscape Arch is the crowd-pleaser, this is the serene side room you’ll be glad you didn’t skip.
What it’s like
The arch forms a tunnel-like doorway into a shaded, enclosed alcove with open sky overhead. It’s thick and low-slung, more cavern than ribbon, with moody light and interesting acoustics—great for a snack break and a few atmospheric photos.
Getting there
Start from Devils Garden Trailhead and hike past Landscape Arch and the former site of Wall Arch. Look for the signed spur to Navajo Arch about 1.2 miles from the trailhead. Expect a roughly 3-mile round trip with a moderate effort and some uphill/rocky sections beyond Landscape Arch.
Along the way
This corner of Devils Garden is stacked with hits: you’ll pass Landscape Arch and the Wall Arch collapse site, and it’s easy to pair Navajo with neighboring Partition Arch. Classic fins, slickrock, and desert vegetation line the approach.
Wildlife
Reports mention lizards and birds commonly in this area, and an occasional deer sighting has been noted right near the arch. Keep your distance and let wildlife move through.
Photo tips
The alcove’s shade makes early morning or late afternoon the sweet spot. Midday light can feel flat inside the arch; step deeper into the “room” and work the angles for better contrast.
Practicalities
There are no amenities at the arch itself—no water, no restrooms. Facilities (vault toilets) are at the Devils Garden Trailhead and campground. Summer sun on exposed stretches can be intense; bring plenty of water and sun protection. Dogs aren’t allowed on the trail, and timed-entry reservations apply in peak season.
Best time to visit
Go early or late in the day for cooler temps, softer light, and fewer people. It’s usually less crowded than the park’s headline arches, but shoulder seasons and weekdays are still calmer than peak weekends.
Where it is
38.7914, -109.6091Tips for Navajo Arch
- 01Take the signed spur to Navajo Arch shortly after Landscape Arch.
- 02Pair it with nearby Partition Arch—it’s an easy two-for-one detour.
- 03Aim for early morning or late afternoon for the best light inside the alcove.
- 04Carry plenty of water and sun protection; there’s no shade on much of the approach.
- 05No amenities at the arch—use the vault toilets at Devils Garden Trailhead.
Near Navajo Arch
All places →All trails →
0.1 mi awayPartition ArchDouble-window arch with big views and fewer crowdsScenic Viewpoint
0.1 mi awayLandscape ArchA delicate 290‑ft ribbon of stone on an easy desert walkTrailhead · Parking
0.6 mi awayBlack Arch OverlookQuick spur with big views and a hard-to-spot archScenic Viewpoint
0.6 mi awayDevils Garden Primitive LoopArches’ most adventurous loop through fins, arches, and slickrockChallenging · 7.8 mi · 4.5 hr
0.6 mi awayLandscape Arch TrailEasy walk to one of the world’s longest natural rock spansEasy · 1.8 mi · 1 hr
0.6 mi awayPine Tree ArchGround-level arch perfectly framed by its namesake pineScenic Viewpoint · Parking
1 mi awayDevil's Garden TrailArches galore with an optional rugged, route-finding loopChallenging · 7.9 mi · 4 hr
1 mi awayDevils Garden Loop TrailArches galore, airy fins, and a spicy Primitive loop.Challenging · 7.9 mi · 4.5 hr
