Pros & cons
PROS
- Densest concentration of major arches on a single loop in the park
- Primitive section’s fin mazes deliver solitude and a real sense of adventure
- Easy add-on to Dark Angel for wide-open views without much extra mileage
CONS
- Sparse cairns and junction signs make off-route detours easy
- Exposed slickrock and ledges turn hazardous when wet or icy
- Deep sand and hands-on scrambles slow the pace more than mileage suggests
Park at Devils Garden Trailhead at the end of the main park road; the lot fills early during peak seasons—arrive early.
Heat, exposure, and slickrock hazards. Primitive section has sparse cairns and thin ledges; easy to lose the route. Avoid when wet/icy. Carry 3+ liters of water and wear sturdy shoes. No pets.
Why hike it
If you want Arches’ greatest hits with real adventure, this is it. The Devils Garden Primitive Loop threads through a maze of sandstone fins and spires, linking a half-dozen marquee arches and a striking spire called Dark Angel. It’s a full-value loop for experienced hikers—hands-on moves, narrow ledges, route-finding—paired with constant, cinematic scenery.
Route at a glance
From Devils Garden Trailhead (end of the park road), the main path rolls past short spurs to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch before reaching ultra-delicate Landscape Arch (the longest arch in North America). Continue to Double O Arch, where junctions branch to Dark Angel (a short, worthwhile spur for big views) and the Primitive Trail. Commit to the Primitive section to loop back through sandy washes, slickrock, and tight fins; watch for cairns and the brief spur to Private Arch—your last arch before the trail closes the loop. Total distance for the complete loop is about 7.8–7.9 miles (loop; includes common spurs), with roughly 1,000 feet of cumulative gain spread out along the way.
Trail feel and difficulty
Expect real desert variety: deep sand, exposed slickrock, boulder and fin scrambles, and a few thin ledges with drop-offs. Past Landscape Arch, the challenge ramps up—nothing technical, but you’ll use your hands and your head. The Primitive section is less marked and easy to lose briefly if you miss cairns, so download a map/route and keep your eyes up. If conditions or time are tight, turning around at Landscape Arch or Double O Arch still makes for a great (and simpler) day.
Conditions and hazards
Slickrock becomes treacherous when wet or icy; winter can bring ice in shaded spots, and summer heat is fierce with little shade. Navigation is the crux on the Primitive segment—cairns guide the way, but signage is sparse. Bring sturdy footwear and at least 3 liters of water per person; there’s no water on route. Pets are not allowed.
Tips
- Start early: the trailhead lot fills quickly and early light is cooler and kinder for photos. Hiking the loop clockwise flows well for many hikers and front-loads the marquee arches.
- Watch key junctions near Double O Arch; the Primitive/Dark Angel signs can be subtler than you expect.
- Best time to hike: spring and fall for pleasant temps. Winter is fine only with traction and caution; avoid or delay after storms. In summer, go very early and be heat-smart.
What you’re seeing
You’ll weave through narrow Entrada sandstone fins—the raw material for arches—scanning for cairns as the route hops slickrock benches and sandy drainages. Keep an eye out for lizards sunning on warm rock, birds riding thermals, and the quiet pockets of the Primitive section, which feels far wilder than the busy approach to Landscape Arch.
Elevation
7.8 mi · 4.5 hrWhere it starts
38.7871, -109.5994Wildlife on this trail
Near Devils Garden Primitive Loop
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayLandscape Arch TrailEasy walk to one of the world’s longest natural rock spansEasy · 1.8 mi · 1 hr
0.1 mi awayPine Tree ArchGround-level arch perfectly framed by its namesake pineScenic Viewpoint · Parking
0.2 mi awayTunnel ArchQuick, photogenic window arch just off Devils Garden TrailTrailhead · Restroom
0.4 mi awayDevil's Garden TrailArches galore with an optional rugged, route-finding loopChallenging · 7.9 mi · 4 hr
0.4 mi awayDevils Garden Loop TrailArches galore, airy fins, and a spicy Primitive loop.Challenging · 7.9 mi · 4.5 hr
0.4 mi awayTunnel Arch TrailQuick stroll to a cliffside window with classic Devils Garden scenery.Easy · 0.7 mi · 30 min
0.5 mi awayLandscape ArchA delicate 290‑ft ribbon of stone on an easy desert walkTrailhead · Parking
0.6 mi awayPartition ArchDouble-window arch with big views and fewer crowdsScenic Viewpoint
