5 Hikes That Will Make for a Great National Park Solo Trip to Arches National Park
Millions of travelers from across the world crowd into Arches National Park each year. Most of them are eager to see the Delicate Arch, a symbol of Utah and of the National Park Service itself.
Noah’s take: Arches is not my favorite National Park for solo hiking because it is a small and very crowded park. Most hikes here are short and don’t really feel like “true hikes.”
Read: 5 National parks that are perfect for solo travel
However, there are some trails that make for an enjoyable solo trip. I took an exhausting solo day trip to Arches to compile this list of the best trails for solo hiking in Arches.
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What You Need to Know About Hiking in Arches National Park
Hiking at Arches National Park is very popular, especially during peak season.
According to the National Park Service, between 2011 to 2022, visitation to Arches National Park grew over 73 percent, from 1 million to 1.8 million visitors per year. The park experienced a lot of congestion as most people arrived during similar peak hours each day.
In 2022, the park implemented a timed entry reservation system. From April 1 to October 31, 2023, visitors need to reserve a timed entry ticket before arriving. You can reserve your ticket here on recreation.gov.
If you are planning a last-minute solo trip during peak season to Arches, you probably won’t be able to get a ticket. If you are unable to get a ticket, just get up early and enter the park before 7 a.m. That is what I ended up doing, and it worked out great.
What Makes a Trail Best for Solo Hiking?
Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips
I first started solo traveling to national parks because the pandemic upended my plans to travel to Africa. Hiking in such beautiful places offered me a sense of wonder and accomplishment.
Likewise, many other travelers found enjoyment at the parks during the pandemic, and now, national park visitation numbers are skyrocketing.
Because of this, the most iconic and popular hikes are not ideal for solo hiking unless you go early in the morning. Trails that are longer and more difficult are best for escaping the crowds and feeling present in nature.
Is It Safe to Solo Hike in Arches National Park?
It is extremely safe to hike in Arches. National Parks have high standards for their trails, and there are plenty of people out and about in this park. However, you can easily become dehydrated here, especially if you hike during midday.
Make sure to bring at least a gallon of water. You can fill up your water bottle at the visitors center and at Devil’s Garden trailhead. While the biggest safety concern at Arches is dehydration, it is important to note that some of the trails are hard to follow.
Unlike some forested trails where it is usually clear if you are on the trail or not, I found myself frequently confused about which way to go in this sandy desert environment. It is important to download the All Trails maps I have linked in this article so you do not get lost.
What Are the Best Trails in Arches National Park for Solo Hiking?
- If you are an experienced solo hiker and want a challenge, try Devils Garden.
- If you are a solo photographer and want unforgettable photos, hike Delicate Arch, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, and Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail.
- If you are a solo traveler looking for peace and reflection, stroll along Delicate Arch Viewpoint and Park Avenue Trail.
Wake Up Early or Stay Late to Experience the Incredible Delicate Arch
- Distance: 3.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 629 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Delicate Arch is the most famous attraction in Arches National Park and possibly one of the most famous attractions in the entire state of Utah.
Utah is home to 5 National Parks. Is Delicate Arch really that amazing?
The short answer is yes. It is so astonishing. I definitely recommend hiking to this unique rock formation. However, it is a very crowded trail.
Is Delicate Arch a Good Solo Hike?
There is really no way to have the perfect solo experience while hiking to this arch. It is not too difficult, and it is popular, so naturally, it won’t be great for solo hiking. However, there are ways to make it a more enjoyable solo experience.
If you want to deal with the least amount of people, you will need to hike before the sun even rises. That means entering the park around 6 a.m., which is perfect if you fail to get a timed entry reservation. If you enter the park before 7 a.m., you do not need a timed entry reservation.
If you don’t mind dealing with more people, I recommend hiking Delicate Arch at sunset because your photos will turn out the best. The sun doesn’t really properly illuminate the arch during sunrise.
Noah’s take: If you can’t hike Delicate Arch during sunrise or sunset, I would probably just skip the hike and just hike the shorter Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail. The crowds are really insane during midday, especially during peak season.
Take the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail for a More Intimate Experience
- Distance: 1.0 miles
- Elevation Gain: 177 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
It is a stretch to call this a hike, but it makes this list because it is a peaceful way to experience Delicate Arch.
Noah’s take: I hiked to Delicate Arch for sunrise and enjoyed it. However, I was surrounded by people having oral arguments, and it wasn’t the vibe I wanted. Also, I realized the sun faced the wrong direction for a dramatic photo of the arch.
So, I made my way back to the parking lot and drove to the very end of the road to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail. After a quick climb up a hill, I was completely alone while watching the sun slowly illuminating the arch.
Noah’s take: Sure, I needed a zoom lens to capture the moment, but it was much more enjoyable than being surrounded by crowds where my photos would not turn out as I had planned.
If You Are up for a Challenge, Escape the Crowds at Devil’s Garden Trail
- Distance: 7.9 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,085 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
Devil’s Garden is a popular spot in the park, home to the impressive Landscape Arch. However, most visitors only hike to Landscape Arch. If you are properly hydrated, you should hike the entire 8-mile loop for a very rewarding solo hike.
Noah’s take: Although there are many fascinating arches along this route, my favorite part of this trail was the Black Arch Overlook. The expansive views of rows and rows of rock formations were unmatched.
It is recommended to take the trail counterclockwise and to download the trail map. Many hikers reported on All Trails that they would have been lost without the trail map.
Noah’s take: This is definitely my favorite hike in the entire park and is one of the best for solo hiking. You can escape the crowds and feel some adrenaline as you cross rock ledges. However, it is not too wild or unsafe to do alone.
Take the Secret Primitive Trail to Windows Loop and Turret Arch
- Distance: 1.2 miles
- Elevation Gain: 154 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Of course, there are no actual secret trails in one of the most popular national parks in the country, but it does seem like a secret when you are on it.
Hiking to the Windows, two arches that resemble Windows, and the Turret, an arch that looks like a gun turret, is a very popular activity at Arches.
However, there is a “secret trail” that wraps behind the Windows and leads back to the parking lot. After you visit the South Window, find the sign for the primitive loop and take the scenic route back to your car.
Noah’s take: On the primitive trail, you will have grand views of the La Sal Mountains in the distance, and you will lose 90 percent of the crowds. Most people head out to the Windows and take the same trail back to their cars.
Add a Mile to Your Trip and Hit Double Arch
If you have extra time, you can easily hike from the Windows to Double Arch. Double Arch will be busy, but it is super cool. There is a very short trail that cuts from the Windows parking lot to the Double Arch. The entire trip is 2.2 miles.
Close Your Day at the Calming Park Avenue Trail
- Distance: 1.8 miles
- Elevation Gain: 298 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
The Park Avenue Trail is located near the entrance of the park. If you are short on time, you can skip this trail. However, if you want a nice trail to end your day before sunset, I recommend taking this short out-and-back hike.
Most people visit the viewpoint that is just steps away from the parking lot, so if you take the stairs down and venture into the canyon, you can really find your own space here.
Noah’s take: Although it is a nice late afternoon hike because you will be mostly in the shade, I recommend heading to the La Sal Mountains viewpoint, which is right past the parking lot for this trail, at sunset.
Large rock formations surround the Park Avenue Trail, so you won’t really be able to appreciate the sunset. At the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, you can see distance arches turn fiery red as the sun sets.
Love solo hiking? Read more of my solo hiking guides.