Devils Garden Loop Trail

Why hike it

If you want the most Arches-in-one-hike experience, this is it. Devils Garden strings together a greatest-hits reel of natural arches, narrow sandstone fins, and sweeping slickrock—plus a real sense of adventure once you’re past the crowds. The full loop is about 7.8–7.9 miles total on a lollipop-style route from the lot at the end of the park road.

Trail vibe and highlights

The front side is mellow and popular, visiting Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch on short spurs before reaching graceful Landscape Arch—the marquee stop and North America’s longest span. It’s jaw-dropping, and many folks wisely turn around here for an easier day. Push on and the character shifts: the Primitive Trail weaves over slickrock and along airy fins with light exposure and some fun scrambling. Side trips tag Partition Arch and Navajo Arch, Double O Arch (expect a bit more scrambling), the Private Arch spur, and the Dark Angel spire.

Difficulty, distance, and footing

Plan on roughly 7.8–7.9 miles total with about 1,000–1,100 feet of rolling elevation gain. Past Landscape Arch, expect uneven terrain, sand, slickrock, short scrambles, and sections where the route is only sparsely marked by cairns. It’s not technical, but it is hands-on and requires confident footing and decent navigation. Bring sturdy traction-heavy footwear and at least 3 liters of water per person—there’s no water out there.

Best time to hike

Spring and fall bring the friendliest temperatures and clear skies. Summer can top 100°F; start at sunrise and ration shade, or skip the full loop. Winter is quiet but can be icy—slickrock becomes treacherous when wet or frozen. Avoid storms (flash floods and slick rock are a bad combo). For crowds, earlier is better; the Devils Garden lot fills quickly even with entry reservations during peak season.

Route tips

You can hike the loop in either direction—choose based on whether you’d rather tackle the scrambly Primitive section earlier or later. Short on time or traveling with less adventurous hikers? Make Landscape Arch your turnaround, or go as far as Double O Arch and back. Beyond the main corridor, signage thins: download an offline map or follow cairns carefully. No dogs on this trail.

Geology to watch for

Those long, parallel sandstone fins formed above ancient salt deposits; erosion carves windows into arches—Landscape Arch’s slender 306-foot span is the star, and rockfall in the 1990s is a reminder these formations are alive and changing.