Devils Garden is one of the most remarkable areas in Arches National Park, combining some of the park’s longest and most delicate arches with towering sandstone fins, narrow ridges, open desert views, and one of the most adventurous trail systems in Utah. Located at the northern end of the paved park road, Devils Garden can be enjoyed as an easy walk to Landscape Arch or turned into a strenuous half-day adventure involving scrambling, exposed sandstone fins, primitive route-finding, and numerous side trips.
The area’s centerpiece is Landscape Arch, an extraordinarily thin ribbon of sandstone stretching across an opening more than 300 feet wide. Yet Landscape Arch is only the beginning. Continue deeper into Devils Garden and the trail reaches Partition Arch, Navajo Arch, Double O Arch, Dark Angel, Private Arch, and the challenging Primitive Trail.
Few places in Arches offer so many different experiences from one trailhead. Families can enjoy a relatively easy walk among enormous sandstone fins. More experienced hikers can climb onto exposed slickrock ridges and complete an almost eight-mile circuit through some of the park’s wildest terrain.
Devils Garden is also home to the only developed campground in Arches National Park, making the area an especially appealing base for travelers who want to experience the park after daytime crowds have departed.
⚡ Devils Garden Fast Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northern end of Arches National Park |
| Distance from Visitor Center | About 18 miles |
| Approximate drive | 45 minutes |
| Signature formation | Landscape Arch |
| Landscape Arch opening | 306 feet |
| Easy hike | Landscape Arch |
| Landscape Arch round trip | About 1.9 miles |
| Double O Arch round trip | About 4.1 miles |
| Full Devils Garden system | Up to about 7.9 miles |
| Full trail difficulty | Strenuous |
| Primitive Trail | Most difficult section |
| Camping | Devils Garden Campground |
| Campground sites | 51 |
| Restrooms | Available year-round at trailhead |
| Drinking water | Available seasonally, generally spring through fall |
| Pets | Not allowed on trails |
| Best seasons | Spring and fall |
| Summer concern | Extreme heat |
| Winter concern | Snow and ice on slickrock |
🌵 What Is Devils Garden?
Despite its name, Devils Garden is not a traditional garden.
The landscape consists of narrow sandstone walls known as fins, natural arches, towers, spires, sandy corridors, and exposed rock ridges. The name reflects the maze-like appearance of the formations rather than vegetation.
Some fins stand side by side like enormous stone walls. Others contain openings that erosion has enlarged into arches. In still other places, the rock has fractured and collapsed into isolated towers.
Walking through Devils Garden therefore feels like exploring several stages of arch formation at once.
The area contains one of the greatest concentrations of natural arches within a park that already protects more than 2,000 documented arches.
📍 Where Is Devils Garden?
Devils Garden lies at the very end of the main paved road through Arches National Park, approximately 18 miles north of the visitor center.
The drive generally takes around 45 minutes without substantial traffic or sightseeing stops.
That location makes Devils Garden one of the most distant major destinations from the park entrance.
Visitors who want to hike early should factor the drive into their plans rather than assuming they can reach the trailhead shortly after entering the park.
The road itself passes many of Arches National Park’s major attractions, including Park Avenue, Balanced Rock, the Windows area, Delicate Arch access, and Fiery Furnace before eventually terminating at Devils Garden.
🚗 Parking at Devils Garden
Devils Garden has one of the park’s larger trailhead parking areas, with roughly 160 spaces, but it can still fill during busy periods.
Spring and fall weekends, holidays, and pleasant summer mornings can be particularly crowded.
Arriving early provides several advantages. Parking is easier, temperatures are cooler, and hikers beginning the longer route have more daylight available.
If the lot is full, do not create a parking space along the road or on fragile desert vegetation.
Park only in designated locations and return later if necessary.
🥾 One Trail System, Many Different Hikes
One of the best features of Devils Garden is that visitors do not need to complete the entire trail system.
The difficulty increases dramatically as you travel farther from the trailhead.
The walk to Landscape Arch is comparatively easy and suitable for many visitors.
Beyond Landscape Arch, the route changes into a strenuous slickrock hike requiring scrambling, balance, and comfort around exposed edges.
The Primitive Trail adds another level of difficulty with route-finding challenges, steep slopes, rock scrambling, and a water-filled pool that may need to be crossed.
This allows visitors to choose an adventure appropriate for their experience rather than treating Devils Garden as a single all-or-nothing hike.
🌲 Pine Tree Arch
One of the first optional side trips leads toward Pine Tree Arch.
The detour shares its beginning with the path toward Tunnel Arch and adds relatively little distance to the Landscape Arch hike.
Pine Tree Arch is a substantial opening surrounded by desert vegetation, and visitors can approach much closer than they can to delicate Landscape Arch.
The side trip is worth taking if you have enough time.
Because many visitors concentrate entirely on reaching Landscape Arch, Pine Tree and Tunnel arches can also feel slightly more intimate than the main destination during quieter parts of the day.
🕳️ Tunnel Arch
Nearby Tunnel Arch appears as an opening high within a sandstone fin.
The shape resembles a tunnel punched through the rock rather than a freestanding arch.
Tunnel Arch illustrates an important point about the park’s geology: arches come in remarkably different shapes and sizes.
Some are broad and massive.
Others are narrow slits.
Some stand almost completely separated from surrounding rock, while others remain openings inside enormous fins.
Devils Garden displays many of these variations within only a few miles.
🌉 Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch is the undisputed star of Devils Garden.
Its light opening measures approximately 306 feet, making it the longest natural arch in North America.
Even more remarkable is its thinness.
At its narrowest section, the ribbon of sandstone is only about six feet thick.
Viewed from the trail, the arch appears almost impossible. A long, delicate strip of stone seems suspended between much heavier masses of sandstone.
The effect is even more impressive because Landscape Arch is not frozen in time.
It is still changing.
🪨 Landscape Arch Is Fragile
Large sections of Landscape Arch broke away during the 1990s.
The rockfalls dramatically changed its appearance and demonstrated that even the park’s largest arches are temporary geological features.
Visitors once walked beneath Landscape Arch.
That area is now closed because additional rockfall could occur without warning.
The viewpoint keeps hikers safely away while still offering an excellent perspective.
Never cross barriers or closures in an attempt to stand beneath the arch.
The thin ribbon that makes Landscape Arch beautiful also makes it vulnerable.
🚶 Hiking to Landscape Arch
The standard walk to Landscape Arch is approximately 1.9 miles round trip.
The trail is relatively flat compared with many hikes in Arches, following a broad path through massive sandstone fins with only modest rolling elevation changes.
For visitors who do not want to tackle exposed slickrock, this is the logical turnaround point.
The walk provides impressive scenery even before reaching the arch.
Tall fins rise on both sides of the route, giving parts of the trail the feeling of a broad sandstone corridor.
Adding Pine Tree and Tunnel arches increases the distance by roughly half a mile.
🏜️ The Hike Changes After Landscape Arch
Everything becomes more difficult after Landscape Arch.
The broad, easy path gives way to steep sandstone.
Hikers climb directly onto slickrock fins, using hands in places for balance and scrambling.
The trail follows narrow sections of sandstone with significant drop-offs nearby.
People expecting the easy Landscape Arch experience to continue may be surprised by how abruptly the difficulty changes.
This portion should be considered a genuine backcountry-style hike rather than an ordinary developed walking path.
Good footwear and comfort with heights become much more important.
🧗 Climbing Onto the Sandstone Fins
The first major climb beyond Landscape Arch is one of the route’s defining moments.
Hikers ascend a sloping sandstone fin that can feel steep, particularly when descending on the return.
The rock provides reasonably good traction when dry, despite the common term slickrock.
When wet, icy, or snow-covered, however, these surfaces can become extremely dangerous.
Do not attempt the difficult portion of Devils Garden when slickrock conditions are poor.
There are enough exposed slopes and drop-offs that one slip could become serious.
🌄 Walking Along the Fins
After the initial climb, portions of the trail follow the tops or sides of narrow fins.
This is where Devils Garden becomes especially memorable.
Instead of walking between walls of rock, hikers suddenly find themselves above much of the surrounding landscape.
Long views open toward rows of sandstone fins and distant desert terrain.
The experience can also be intimidating.
Sections of the route are narrow enough that hikers uncomfortable with heights may decide Landscape Arch was the better turnaround point.
Move slowly and allow oncoming hikers room to pass at safer, wider locations.
🪟 Partition Arch
A short side trail leads to Partition Arch.
The formation contains two openings in the same sandstone fin, with one much larger than the other.
What makes Partition Arch particularly memorable is not merely the arch itself but the view through it.
The opening frames an expansive desert panorama, turning the arch into a natural window overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Because the spur is relatively short, it is one of the easiest additions for hikers already traveling toward Double O Arch.
Take time here rather than treating the spur simply as another box to check.
🌑 Navajo Arch
The same side-trip area provides access to Navajo Arch.
Its atmosphere differs dramatically from exposed Partition Arch.
Navajo Arch forms a sheltered opening within a sandstone fin, creating a cooler, more enclosed environment.
The curved walls and shaded interior offer welcome relief from direct sun during warm weather.
Together, Navajo and Partition arches demonstrate the variety packed into Devils Garden.
One opens broadly toward distant scenery.
The other creates an intimate sandstone chamber.
The combined detour adds roughly 0.8 mile to the main hike.
⭕ Double O Arch
Farther along the difficult trail lies Double O Arch, another of the signature destinations in Devils Garden.
As its name suggests, the formation contains two openings stacked within the same sandstone fin.
The larger opening sits above a smaller opening near ground level.
Reaching Double O requires considerably more effort than reaching Landscape Arch.
The round trip from the trailhead is approximately 4.1 miles, but the distance alone does not represent the difficulty.
Hikers must negotiate steep slickrock, uneven terrain, exposed ledges, and scrambling.
Allow roughly two to three hours for the out-and-back trip, particularly if adding side arches.
🧭 Is Double O Arch Worth the Hike?
For hikers comfortable with exposure, yes.
The journey to Double O is at least as memorable as the arch itself.
The elevated sandstone fins create views unavailable from easier frontcountry paths.
The route also gives visitors a much stronger sense of how the Devils Garden landscape fits together.
Instead of observing arches individually from short paths, you travel directly across the geological structures producing them.
Double O also serves as an important junction for hikers continuing toward Dark Angel or returning by the Primitive Trail.
🗿 Dark Angel
Beyond Double O Arch, a side trail continues toward Dark Angel, a tall freestanding sandstone spire.
From Double O, the round-trip spur adds about 0.8 mile.
Unlike an arch, Dark Angel represents a different result of erosion.
Surrounding material has disappeared while the more resistant tower remains.
The formation appears dark from some perspectives, especially against brighter sandstone and open sky, helping explain its memorable name.
The walk also takes hikers farther from the busy Landscape Arch corridor and deeper into the northern end of Devils Garden.
🏹 Private Arch
Hikers taking the Primitive Trail can add a side trip to Private Arch.
The spur is approximately half a mile round trip.
Private Arch tends to receive fewer casual visitors because reaching it requires traveling well beyond the easy section of Devils Garden.
It provides another opportunity to see how frequently openings occur among the parallel sandstone fins.
For hikers completing the entire trail system, adding Private Arch helps turn the route into a nearly complete tour of Devils Garden’s major formations.
🧭 The Primitive Trail
The Primitive Trail is the hardest section of the Devils Garden system.
It forms an alternate route between the Double O area and the main trail closer to Landscape Arch.
The word “primitive” is meaningful.
Hikers should expect fewer obvious trail markers, difficult route-finding, sandy sections, steep sandstone, exposure, and scrambling.
The route is approximately 2.1 miles one way and includes a pool that may contain water.
Depending on recent weather, crossing that pool can range from straightforward to awkward.
⚠️ Who Should Skip the Primitive Trail?
Skip the Primitive Trail if you are uncomfortable with heights, route-finding, scrambling, or exposed terrain.
It is also a poor choice during rain, snow, or icy conditions.
Hikers accustomed only to maintained forest trails may find the route unusually challenging because the correct path does not always look like a conventional trail.
Cairns and existing markers help guide the way, but the route still requires awareness.
Do not build new cairns.
Unofficial rock piles confuse future hikers and can send people into unsafe terrain.
🔄 Hiking the Full Devils Garden Loop
Combining the main trail, Primitive Trail, and major destinations creates one of the finest long hikes in Arches National Park.
The complete trail system can total approximately 7.9 miles when the primary side trips are included.
NPS recommends allowing roughly three to five hours, although hikers stopping frequently for photography may need considerably longer.
The full route includes Landscape Arch, exposed sandstone fins, Double O Arch, Dark Angel, the Primitive Trail, and optional detours to several additional arches.
This is not an ordinary eight-mile walk.
The scrambling and route-finding make it substantially more demanding than the mileage suggests.
💧 How Much Water Do You Need?
Water is one of the most important planning considerations at Devils Garden.
For the hike to Double O Arch, the National Park Service recommends carrying at least two quarts, or about two liters, of water per person.
For the full Devils Garden trail system, carry at least three quarts, or about three liters, per person.
During very hot weather, individual needs can be higher.
There is no dependable natural drinking water along the trail.
Drinking water is normally available at the Devils Garden trailhead during the warmer operating season, but hikers should arrive with adequate supplies rather than depending entirely on a seasonal fountain.
☀️ Summer Heat
Arches National Park regularly experiences daytime summer temperatures above 100°F.
Much of Devils Garden is exposed.
Sandstone, sand, and open desert provide very little reliable shade along the longer trail.
The easy walk to Landscape Arch can become uncomfortable in midday heat, while the difficult route to Double O and the Primitive Trail can become genuinely dangerous.
Begin around sunrise during hot weather.
Avoid the middle of the day.
Drink regularly before feeling thirsty and eat salty snacks to replace electrolytes lost through sweating.
🌅 Early Morning Is Ideal
Early morning may be the best overall time to experience Devils Garden.
Temperatures are cooler.
Parking is easier.
Landscape Arch often catches beautiful early light.
Hikers attempting Double O or the Primitive Trail gain several hours of cooler conditions before the strongest afternoon heat arrives.
Wildlife is also more likely to be active around dawn.
Starting early does require leaving Moab or other accommodations well before breakfast hours, but the reward is a quieter and safer hiking experience.
🌇 Evening at Devils Garden
Evening offers another beautiful experience, particularly for visitors camping nearby.
Low-angle sunlight emphasizes the texture of sandstone fins and gives the landscape richer orange and red tones.
The concern for hikers is darkness.
The Primitive Trail can be difficult enough to follow in daylight.
Do not intentionally leave complicated route-finding for after sunset.
Anyone completing the full trail should carry a headlamp even when expecting to finish well before dark.
Unexpected delays happen.
⛈️ Thunderstorms and Flash Flooding
Summer monsoon storms can develop quickly.
Lightning is dangerous on exposed fins and ridges.
Heavy rain can also create flowing water in normally dry washes and turn portions of the trail unexpectedly difficult.
If thunder is nearby, exposed slickrock is not a safe place to wait for the storm to pass.
Check the forecast before beginning a long Devils Garden hike and watch the sky throughout the day.
Dark clouds developing rapidly over the surrounding desert should be taken seriously.
❄️ Devils Garden in Winter
Winter can be beautiful and remarkably quiet.
Snow highlights every sandstone ledge, while the red rock creates a dramatic contrast against white ground.
Cold temperatures also make longer hikes physically easier than in summer.
The challenge is ice.
Snowmelt can freeze on shaded slickrock, creating exceptionally hazardous conditions on the steep sections beyond Landscape Arch.
The Primitive Trail is specifically unsuitable when rock is wet or icy.
Winter visitors should be willing to turn around rather than forcing a route simply because they planned to complete it.
🌸 Spring
Spring is one of the most popular seasons at Arches.
Daytime temperatures are generally comfortable, desert plants begin flowering, and longer hikes become much more pleasant than during midsummer.
Popularity brings crowds.
Devils Garden parking can fill for extended periods, particularly during weekends and school-break periods.
Begin early if the trail is a priority.
Spring weather can also shift rapidly, with strong wind, cold fronts, and occasional late snow possible.
🍂 Fall
September and October offer another excellent window.
The worst summer heat gradually fades while daylight remains long enough for extensive hiking.
September afternoons may still be very hot.
By late October, mornings can become cold enough to require layers.
Fall is also a busy season around Moab, so do not assume pleasant weather means empty parking lots.
Arriving early remains the best approach.
👟 What Shoes Should You Wear?
Wear hiking shoes or trail-running shoes with good traction.
The longer Devils Garden routes involve sandstone slabs, loose sand, uneven rock, steep climbs, and scrambling.
Avoid smooth-soled shoes and open-toed sandals for the difficult sections.
Good traction becomes particularly important while descending sandstone fins.
No shoe makes wet slickrock safe, however.
If rain or ice has made the exposed route hazardous, footwear is not a substitute for turning around.
🎒 What to Bring
For the easy Landscape Arch hike, water, sun protection, and comfortable walking shoes may be sufficient under mild conditions.
For Double O or the full route, prepare more seriously.
Carry plenty of water, salty snacks, sunscreen, a hat, sturdy footwear, a map or downloaded trail information, a light layer, and a headlamp.
A basic first-aid kit is sensible.
Keep both hands available for scrambling rather than carrying loose bottles, cameras, or other equipment.
🌱 Protect Biological Soil Crust
One of the least conspicuous organisms in Devils Garden is also one of the most important.
Dark, knobby patches on the desert ground may be biological soil crust, a living community containing organisms such as cyanobacteria, lichens, mosses, algae, fungi, and bacteria.
The crust stabilizes loose soil, helps retain moisture, and contributes nutrients that other desert plants need.
It develops extremely slowly.
One careless footprint can damage growth that took years or decades to establish.
Stay on established trails and durable rock surfaces.
Do not cut across undisturbed ground to create a shortcut.
🚫 Never Walk on an Arch
Walking or climbing on natural arches is prohibited in Arches National Park.
This rule protects both visitors and fragile formations.
Arches are created through erosion and are continually weakened by the same processes that formed them.
Landscape Arch’s major rockfalls demonstrate how suddenly portions of an arch can collapse.
Do not treat an arch as a bridge simply because it appears thick enough to support a person.
Enjoy it from approved trail locations.
🪨 How Do the Fins Form?
Understanding the fins makes Devils Garden much more interesting.
Deep underground, enormous deposits of salt were buried beneath younger rock.
Salt behaves differently from rigid sandstone under pressure and can slowly move, bulge, and distort the rock above it.
That movement created parallel fractures in overlying sandstone.
Water entered the cracks.
Freezing, weathering, gravity, and erosion gradually enlarged them until individual walls of sandstone stood separated from one another.
These walls are the fins that dominate Devils Garden.
🌉 How Does a Fin Become an Arch?
Once a sandstone fin exists, erosion continues.
Water concentrates along weak zones and fractures.
Chemical weathering dissolves some of the material binding sand grains together.
Freezing water expands cracks.
Gravity removes loosened rock.
Eventually a small opening develops.
That opening expands as erosion continues.
Once it becomes large enough, it meets the geological definition of a natural arch.
The process does not stop there.
Every arch eventually enlarges until enough supporting rock disappears for the remaining structure to collapse.
⏳ Every Arch Is Temporary
Landscape Arch may survive for many generations or it could lose another major section unexpectedly.
The same is true of other formations.
Arches National Park is not preserving a finished collection of stone sculptures.
It is protecting a landscape in motion.
Some arches collapse.
Others slowly enlarge.
Tiny openings may eventually qualify as newly documented arches.
Massive fins will continue breaking apart.
Visitors see only a moment within a process that unfolds over geological time.
That impermanence is part of what makes Devils Garden so compelling.
🐦 Wildlife in Devils Garden
Desert wildlife may appear sparse during the middle of the day, but the area supports many animals.
Ravens are among the easiest birds to spot.
Lizards become active on warm rocks, while mule deer may be encountered during cooler morning and evening hours.
Cottontails, rodents, snakes, and numerous smaller animals use the fins and desert vegetation for shelter.
Many desert mammals avoid daytime heat and become active primarily after sunset.
Campers therefore experience a different side of Devils Garden than daytime hikers.
🐍 Watch Where You Step
Snakes occur throughout Arches National Park.
Most encounters end with the snake moving away before a visitor gets close.
Avoid placing hands blindly beneath rocks or into cracks.
Stay aware when stepping around vegetation.
Never attempt to pick up, corner, or move a snake.
Giving wildlife space is both safer and more respectful.
🐕 Are Dogs Allowed?
Pets are not allowed on hiking trails in Arches National Park, including Devils Garden Trail.
Dogs may be present in certain developed areas where park regulations permit them, but they cannot accompany hikers to Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, or the Primitive Trail.
Do not leave pets inside a vehicle during warm weather.
Temperatures in parked vehicles can become deadly even when outside conditions do not initially feel extreme.
♿ Accessibility
Devils Garden offers varying levels of accessibility depending on the destination.
The route toward Landscape Arch begins on a broad developed trail, but grades, bedrock, and rock steps create limitations.
The difficult trail beyond Landscape Arch is not wheelchair accessible.
It includes steep slickrock climbs, scrambling, uneven surfaces, narrow ledges, and significant drop-offs.
Visitors with mobility concerns should review current accessibility information and trail measurements before planning the outing.
🏕️ Devils Garden Campground
Devils Garden Campground is the only developed campground within Arches National Park.
Its location near sandstone fins makes it one of the most scenic campgrounds in the region.
The campground contains approximately 51 sites and provides picnic tables, grills, restrooms, and other basic facilities.
There are no electric hookups or showers.
Cell service and internet connectivity should not be expected.
The isolated setting is part of the attraction.
After dark, campers are surrounded by desert rather than city lights and traffic.
📅 Campground Reservations
Campsites are reservable for stays from March 1 through October 31.
Sites during the main season commonly fill well in advance, particularly during spring and fall.
From November through February, campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
Travelers hoping to camp within Arches during the busy season should not arrive expecting to find an empty site.
Reserve as early as your trip allows.
Numerous additional public and private camping options are available outside the park around Moab.
🌌 Stargazing
Devils Garden is an excellent place to experience the night sky.
Its position far inside the park places it away from many of Moab’s lights, and the surrounding sandstone formations create dramatic silhouettes after sunset.
Campers have the advantage of already being in place when darkness arrives.
Allow your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust.
Use a red flashlight when possible and avoid shining bright lights toward other visitors.
On clear moonless nights, the number of visible stars can be extraordinary.
📷 Photographing Landscape Arch
Early morning often provides excellent light on Landscape Arch.
The warm sandstone can glow against cooler areas remaining in shadow, while early hours generally bring fewer visitors.
A wide-angle lens helps capture the entire formation and surrounding fins.
A moderate telephoto lens can emphasize the incredibly thin central span.
Respect barriers when composing photographs.
No picture justifies entering a closed zone beneath an unstable formation.
📸 Photography Beyond Landscape Arch
The difficult trail provides some of the best panoramic views in Devils Garden.
Once hikers climb onto the sandstone fins, compositions open toward parallel ridges, distant desert, arches, and the La Sal Mountains.
Partition Arch is particularly useful as a natural frame for the landscape beyond.
Photography becomes more complicated on exposed terrain.
Stop walking before using a phone or camera.
Never back toward a drop-off while concentrating on the screen.
👨👩👧 Is Devils Garden Good for Families?
Yes, if the route matches the family’s abilities.
The walk to Landscape Arch is a strong family option for children comfortable with approximately two miles of hiking.
Pine Tree and Tunnel arches can add variety.
The route beyond Landscape Arch is completely different.
Parents should consider whether children have enough balance, judgment, and scrambling experience for exposed sandstone fins.
The Primitive Trail is not a casual family stroll.
There is nothing wrong with turning around at Landscape Arch.
That destination alone is one of the great sights in the park.
😬 What If You’re Afraid of Heights?
Stop at Landscape Arch.
The trail beyond it includes narrow fins, sloped slickrock, drop-offs, and exposed scrambling.
Some hikers who are normally comfortable on mountain trails still find sections unnerving.
The Primitive Trail adds further exposure.
You do not need to conquer every section to have a worthwhile Devils Garden visit.
Landscape Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Tunnel Arch create an excellent easier itinerary with none of the most serious exposure.
🕒 How Much Time Should You Allow?
Allow roughly one to two hours for Landscape Arch and nearby easy side trails, depending on pace and photography stops.
The round trip to Double O Arch generally takes two to three hours.
The full Devils Garden route requires around three to five hours for many hikers, and longer if all side trips are explored.
Heat, congestion on exposed sections, route-finding, and photography can all increase hiking time.
Start with more daylight than you think you need.
🗓️ A Great Half-Day Devils Garden Itinerary
For experienced hikers, arrive early and begin toward Landscape Arch before the day warms.
Take the quick detours to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
Continue past Landscape Arch and climb onto the fins.
Visit Partition and Navajo arches before continuing to Double O.
From Double O, add Dark Angel if energy and weather conditions remain good.
Return using the Primitive Trail if everyone in the group is comfortable with scrambling, exposure, route-finding, and current trail conditions.
Add Private Arch along the Primitive route if time permits.
The result is one of the most varied half-day hikes in Arches National Park.
🌿 An Easier Devils Garden Itinerary
Visitors wanting a much easier outing can still see several arches.
Start with Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
Return to the main trail and continue toward Landscape Arch.
Spend time appreciating the enormous fins along the way and the remarkable scale of Landscape Arch when you arrive.
Then turn around.
This itinerary delivers three arches and excellent Devils Garden scenery without tackling the difficult sandstone ridge.
For many visitors, it is the ideal version of the experience.
🚙 What Else Is Nearby?
The northern section of Arches contains several attractions that pair naturally with Devils Garden.
Skyline Arch lies near the campground.
Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch can be reached from nearby trailheads, and portions of the trail network connect with the campground area.
Farther south along the park road are Fiery Furnace, Delicate Arch, Balanced Rock, and the Windows Section.
If you are working your way through the park, Double Arch and Balanced Rock are excellent additions to a Devils Garden day.
🚧 Current 2026 Planning Notes
Arches National Park does not require an advance timed-entry reservation in 2026.
Visitors may enter without obtaining a timed-entry ticket, although temporary traffic-management measures can still occur if the park becomes excessively congested.
Devils Garden remains accessible by the main paved park road under normal current conditions.
The campground continues to require reservations during its March-through-October reservation season, and reservations remain necessary for activities such as Fiery Furnace hikes where applicable.
Because road, weather, and trail conditions can change, check current NPS alerts shortly before traveling.
⭐ Is Devils Garden Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
Devils Garden offers one of the richest concentrations of scenery in Arches National Park and one of the park’s best examples of how a single trail system can accommodate very different kinds of visitors.
A traveler looking for a relatively easy hike can walk among giant sandstone fins to Landscape Arch, one of North America’s most extraordinary natural spans.
An experienced hiker can continue onto exposed slickrock, scramble toward Double O Arch, walk to Dark Angel, and navigate the Primitive Trail.
A camper can stay surrounded by sandstone formations and step outside after dark beneath a brilliant desert sky.
The real appeal, though, is how clearly Devils Garden reveals that Arches National Park is still changing.
Landscape Arch has already lost major pieces of rock within living memory.
Fins continue weathering.
Cracks widen.
New openings form.
Existing arches grow thinner.
Eventually, every one of them will fall.
Walk slowly enough to notice those processes.
Look at the parallel fins and imagine the fractures from which they developed. Notice small openings that may someday become larger arches. Study the incredibly thin center of Landscape Arch and remember that immense structures can still be temporary.
Devils Garden may look like a collection of stone monuments.
It is really a snapshot of erosion in progress.
That combination of beauty, geology, accessibility, and adventure makes it one of the essential places to experience in Arches National Park.
🔗 Related Articles
- Double Arch in Arches National Park
- Balanced Rock at Arches National Park
- Garden of Eden at Arches National Park
📚 Sources & Further Reading
- National Park Service — Devils Garden
- National Park Service — Devils Garden Trail
- National Park Service — Landscape Arch Trail
- National Park Service — Parking
- National Park Service — Camping
- National Park Service — Physical & Mobility Accessibility
- National Park Service — Current Conditions
- National Park Service — Plan Your Visit
- National Park Service — Arches National Park
