At the very end of the Arches Scenic Drive, you’ll find one of the most spectacular hiking areas in the park: Devils Garden.
This is where many of the park’s most famous arches are located, including Landscape Arch, Double O Arch and the towering sandstone spire known as Dark Angel. The Devils Garden Trail also offers some of the most adventurous hiking in Arches National Park, with sections that traverse narrow sandstone fins and a rugged route known as the Primitive Loop.
What makes Devils Garden special is that it offers something for almost every type of visitor. You can take a short, easy walk to Landscape Arch, or you can spend half a day exploring the full trail system.
If you’re planning a trip to Arches National Park, Devils Garden is one area you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
Devils Garden Trail Overview (Arches National Park)
Devils Garden is located 18 miles from the park entrance, at the very end of the main scenic drive.
The trail system here includes several options, ranging from easy walks to more challenging backcountry-style hiking.
Main trail highlights
• Landscape Arch
• Navajo Arch
• Partition Arch
• Double O Arch
• Dark Angel
Optional trails
• Pine Tree Arch
• Tunnel Arch
• Primitive Loop Trail
Quick Stats
Trailhead: Devils Garden Trailhead
Distance options: 1.6 – 7.8 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Easy to strenuous depending on route
Elevation gain: ~200–300 feet on the main trail (more with the Primitive Loop)
Best time to hike: Early morning or late afternoon
For current conditions, alerts, and park updates, visit the official Arches National Park website.
Devils Garden Hiking Options
Not sure how far you want to hike? Here’s a quick breakdown of your options at Devils Garden.
| Destination | Distance | Difficulty | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landscape Arch | 1.6 mi | Easy | Longest arch in the park |
| Navajo & Partition | 2.4 mi | Easy–Mod | Great views + shade |
| Double O Arch | 4.2 mi | Moderate | Rock fin + scrambling |
| Dark Angel | 5.0 mi | Moderate | Towering sandstone spire |
| Primitive Loop | 5.9 mi | Strenuous | Rugged loop + cairns |
| Full Devils Garden | ~7.8 mi | Strenuous | Everything combined |
Devils Garden Trailhead and Parking
The Devils Garden Trailhead parking lot is the last parking area on the Arches Scenic Drive.
Because this is such a popular destination, parking can fill up quickly — especially in spring and fall.
If possible, plan to arrive early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Arriving early also helps you avoid the desert heat, since much of the trail is exposed.
You’ll find restrooms and drinking water near the parking lot, as well as access to the Devils Garden Campground, the only campground inside Arches National Park.
If you’re planning your visit to Arches, including timed entry, parking, and must-see stops along the drive, see our complete Arches National Park guide.
Tunnel and Pine Tree Arches
Before heading out on the main trail, take the short spur trail to Tunnel and Pine Tree Arches. This short walk is only about 0.5 miles roundtrip and leads to two beautiful arches tucked among sandstone fins.
Tunnel Arch sits high on the rock wall and frames the sky like a window.
Pine Tree Arch is smaller but equally beautiful. A sandy area beneath the arch makes it a nice place to stop for photos or a quick break.
Because this spur trail is so short and easy, it’s worth visiting before continuing farther into Devils Garden.
Landscape Arch
About 0.8 miles from the Devils Garden Trailhead, you’ll reach one of the most famous arches in Arches National Park.
Landscape Arch stretches more than 300 feet across, making it one of the longest natural arches in the world. The span appears incredibly thin today because a large section collapsed in 1991.
Climbing on the arch is strictly prohibited, but the viewing area provides an excellent vantage point to appreciate this remarkable formation.
Many visitors stop at Landscape Arch, which is the easiest section of the trail. But if you continue beyond that point, the hiking becomes more adventurous and far less crowded.
Partition and Navajo Arches
Just past Landscape Arch, a spur trail climbs onto a sandstone fin leading to Navajo and Partition Arches.
This section provides some beautiful views back across the Devils Garden area.
Partition Arch is actually two openings in the rock. The larger window frames a sweeping view of the desert landscape.
Navajo Arch has a very different appearance. Instead of forming a tall window, it creates a wide, tunnel-like opening. The shade beneath the arch and nearby trees makes this a great place to pause and rest.
Hiking the Rock Fin
Continuing toward Double O Arch, the trail becomes more adventurous.
You’ll climb onto a long sandstone fin, and the trail follows the ridge for a short distance. In places the fin is only about five feet wide, with drop-offs on both sides.
While this section can feel thrilling, it’s safe if you move slowly and watch your footing. The first time we hiked this section, our children were still very young. They marched right out onto the fin like it was a playground, while my heart was pounding out of my chest behind them. My palms were sweating and adrenaline was pumping—of course, they thought it was the best part of the hike.
The views from the fin are incredible, stretching across the dramatic landscape of Devils Garden.
Double O Arch
After 2.1 miles from the trailhead, you’ll reach Double O Arch.
As the name suggests, the formation features two circular arches stacked one above the other.
The lower arch is large enough that hikers can walk beneath it, and some people scramble up nearby rocks for photos.
This area has a slightly sheltered feel compared to the exposed sections of trail nearby, making it a great place to stop for a snack before deciding whether to continue farther.
Unless you plan to hike the Primitive Loop Trail, many visitors choose to turn around at Double O Arch.
Dark Angel
If you continue past Double O Arch, the trail leads another 0.7 miles to Dark Angel, a massive sandstone pillar rising about 150 feet above the desert floor.
There’s little shade in this area, and the terrain is wide open.
The spire itself is impressive, though there’s not much to do here besides admire the formation and take photos. We even saw a climber summiting Dark Angel, which was quite a sight.
The Primitive Loop Trail
From Dark Angel, hikers can return the same way they came or continue on the Primitive Loop Trail.
This rugged route circles back toward the Devils Garden Trailhead in Arches National Park.
The Primitive Trail includes:
• Rock scrambling
• Steep sandstone slabs
• Narrow ledges
• Occasional pools of water
The trail is marked by rock cairns, and it’s important to keep an eye out for the next marker as you move along.
Although it’s more challenging, this section offers some of the most spectacular scenery in Arches National Park.
TIP: When hiking a trail like the Primitive, it’s a good idea to map the hike on your device using an app like Maps.Me. You can then follow your location on the app to ensure you are on trail.
Devils Garden Campground
Right next to the trailhead is Devils Garden Campground, the only campground located inside Arches National Park.
Because of its location near the end of the scenic drive, this campground offers:
• Easy access to hiking trails
• Incredible night skies
• A quieter atmosphere after day visitors leave
Stargazing at Devils Garden
As evening settles over Devils Garden, the crowds thin out and the landscape takes on a quieter, more peaceful feel. If you’re still here at twilight, it’s worth lingering a little longer.
Arches National Park is an International Dark Sky Park, and Devils Garden—far from town lights—is one of the best places in the park to experience the night sky. On a clear night, stars begin to fill the sky in every direction, and during certain times of year, you may even catch a glimpse of the Milky Way.
Even if you’re not camping, staying just a bit later to watch the transition from sunset to night is a memorable way to end your time here.
Final Thoughts on Devils Garden
Devils Garden is one of the most rewarding places to hike in Arches National Park. Whether you stop at Landscape Arch or continue all the way through the Primitive Loop, this trail offers a real sense of adventure.
As you move beyond the crowds, the landscape opens up, the trail gets more exciting, and there’s a feeling of accomplishment that builds with every mile. It’s an experience that leaves you exhilarated—and already thinking about the next time you’ll return.
Planning a bigger trip through Utah and the Southwest? These guides will help you connect Devils Garden with the rest of your itinerary.