Double O Arch Trail

Double O Arch is a 4.1-mile round-trip out-and-back from Devils Garden Trailhead, past Landscape Arch and over the fins to Double O, then back the same way. Allow about two to three hours. The approach is easy; beyond Landscape, steep sandstone climbs, rocky footing, narrow ledges and drop-offs make this a hard hike with hands-and-feet scrambling. The changing views are a big part of the reward. If the rougher section does not suit you, turn around at Landscape Arch for a 1.9-mile round trip.

The first stretch follows hard-packed trail over gentle rises between rock fins. Pine Tree and Tunnel arches are short optional spurs before Landscape; together they add 0.5 mile and are not part of the 4.1-mile route. The 1.9-mile round trip to Landscape is a worthwhile shorter walk. Double O is only about halfway out, and the terrain changes sharply beyond the overlook. Use that stop to judge whether you are comfortable continuing over exposed rock.

The main trail climbs steeply up and across sandstone fins. Expect rocky footing, high steps, repeated ups and downs, and narrow ledges beside steep drops. In places, the route crosses open slickrock and cairns mark the way instead of a clear cut path; keep track of them at turns. The terrain can change from sand to bare rock within a short stretch. If a step down or exposed edge does not feel comfortable, turn back the way you came.

Double O is two openings stacked in one sandstone formation. From a little distance, look for the smaller lower opening beneath the larger arch and the red fins beyond it. Do not walk or climb on any arch. The walk between fins is a large part of the payoff, not just the destination. The 0.8-mile round-trip spur to Dark Angel starts north of Double O and is not included here.

This route retraces the main trail to the trailhead. The Primitive Trail is a separate, much tougher return option, not part of the 4.1-mile line. Its one-way distance is about 2.1 miles, with difficult route-finding, steep slopes, narrow drop-offs, scrambling and a pool crossing that may contain water. Optional Navajo and Partition arch spurs also branch from the main trail; together they add 0.8 mile and are not counted here.

You pass Landscape Arch on the way out and back. Its opening spans 306 feet, with a narrowest section just 6 feet across; large pieces fell in the 1990s. The surrounding fins form as rainwater erodes parallel fractures created by uplift from buried salt deposits. Fins can eventually open into arches, so these formations record a landscape that is still changing.

The black, knobbly ground crust is a living community of cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, algae, microfungi and bacteria. It binds loose soil and helps desert plants establish, but footsteps can break it. Follow the tread and cairns rather than walking around obstacles on the fragile soil. Avoid midday summer heat and carry water; much of the later route is exposed sandstone.

Devils Garden Trailhead is at the end of the park road, about 18 miles and a 45-minute drive from Arches Visitor Center. The popular lot can fill for hours during busy periods. Restrooms are open year-round; drinking water is available there in spring through fall. A picnic area lies south of the campground entrance, separate from the hike. Pets are not allowed on hiking trails; trained service animals are allowed.