Private Arch

Overview

Private Arch lives up to its name. It’s a graceful sandstone span hidden off the Devils Garden Primitive Trail, far from the park’s biggest crowds. If you’re already tackling the loop, this short spur delivers solitude, a neat arch, and a breather among sculpted fins.

What Makes It Different

Unlike the headline arches, this one feels discovered rather than displayed. The approach winds through narrow rock walls and classic Devils Garden fins, then suddenly opens to a low, elegant arch—more about mood and setting than sheer size.

Getting There

Reach it via a signed spur off the Devils Garden Primitive Loop. The spur itself is short, but getting here means committing to sections of the Primitive Trail that include rock scrambles, steep ups/downs, and spots where you’ll follow cairns and arrows. Navigation awareness matters.

What You’ll See

• A curved, delicate arch framed by swirling red sandstone
• Surrounding fins, spires, and textured desert terrain that make great photos
• A peaceful pocket of the backcountry where you’re likely to find a quiet moment

Geology Snapshot

This arch formed in the Entrada/Navajo sandstone layers that define Devils Garden. Parallel fractures became narrow fins, and over millions of years, weathering punched openings through them—Private Arch being one of the more intimate results.

Wildlife

With fewer people around, you’re more likely to notice small desert life: lizards sunning on warm rock, birds flitting between shrubs, and occasional small mammals. Spring brings hardy wildflowers around the fins.

Best Time to Visit

Go early or late in the day for cooler temps, softer light, and easier parking back at Devils Garden. Weekdays are generally quieter. Avoid the heat of midday and skip stormy periods—washes and exposed slickrock aren’t friendly in bad weather.

Need to Know

• No water, no shade structures, no facilities—bring everything you need
• Trails are exposed and rocky; sturdy footwear and sun protection are essential
• Pay attention to cairns and signs; some sections of the Primitive Loop can be easy to stray from