Heading to Moab Utah and wondering about the best hikes in Arches National Park for kids? You have come to the right place.
Our family did a three-week road trip that included numerous hikes and several in Arches National Park. It is a spectacular adventurous family vacation with breathtaking scenery, and one full of unique landscapes well worth hiking to see.
If you are looking for a great family vacation filled with beautiful scenery and time in nature, then Arches National Park in Utah is the perfect spring, summer or fall trip. And it makes an amazing stop on a road trip.
With stunning views, over 2,000 sandstone arches, and many amazing hiking trails, this park is one of the premier hiking spots in Southern Utah.
You can camp in a developed campground like Devils Garden Campground or camp in the backcountry if you're all experienced hikers. Or you can stay outside the park at numerous places nearby in Moab.
So, pack your suitcases and get ready to go on an adventure through some of the most beautiful arches in the world. Here’s everything you need to know about the best hikes in Arches National Park that are family-friendly.
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About Arches National Park
Arches National Park is one of the best national parks in the U.S., with 73,234 acres of eroded sandstone, towers, fins, balanced rocks, ribs, and the famous arches from where it gets its name. The unique red natural sandstone arches scenery provides a stunning landscape of the largest number of arches in the world.
It's one of the best things to do in Moab, along with visiting Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse State Park.
It is most famous for Delicate Arch, which you may have seen in numerous photographs. But while those photographs are indeed gobsmacking, seeing Delicate Arch in person is definitely one for the bucket list.
It's not the only thing to see in Arches National Park. There are many arches worth seeing like Double Arch, Turret Arch, Sand Dune Arch, the North and South Windows, Navajo Arch, and more. Our family was completely taken by the impressive arches and incredible terrain, and it one we definitely want to visit again as it is one of the most impressive national parks we have visited.
While you can hit some highlights in one day, you could easily spend two to three days in this fascinating park, full of some of the best National Park hikes in the country.
Getting To The Park
I recommend getting to the park early. Not only will this help you avoid the crowds.
But, you will also capture the sunrise over the horizon of Arches National Park. View the park in a whole new light as the sun rises over the arches to expose dramatic horizons. Watch as a new day begins for outdoor adventures with some of the best hiking trails in the nation.
If you are visiting in the summer, it will also get very hot, so getting there early will help you get going on some of the Arches National Park hikes before it is too hot.
The park is usually open 24 hours a day all year long. It's busiest between March and October, but temperatures can soar over 100 degrees in the summer. So, it's best to visit the park from April to May and September through October.
National Park Fees
There are some fees to enter the park. It's $30 for private vehicles, $25 for motorcycles, and $15 for individuals not in vehicles, and that fee usually applies to pedestrians, hikers, and bicyclists. Kids 15 and under get free admission to the park. Each pass is valid for seven days.
You can also get a Southeast Utah Parks Pass for $55 that is valid for one year through the month it was purchased. It's for one private vehicle or the pass holder to the National Bridges Monument, Canyonlands National Park, and Arches National Park.
If you live in the area and plan on taking advantage of some of the best hiking in Arches National Park with kids, the Parks Pass is probably your best option.
If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks in a year, you might want to get the US Park Pass, which is a big savings on entrance fees. Good for one year, this 12 month pass covers entrance fees for The US Park Pass covers all national parks, monuments and battlefields for $85!
Weather and Planning Your Trips to Arches National Park
As the weather in the high desert fluctuates dramatically, you'll want to prepare for hot weather, and cool weather as the temperature can change 40 degrees on one day. The park is also prone to storms and flash floods in the late summer when Monsoon season comes, so take this into account when planning your Arches National Park family itinerary.
Winter is the quietest season at the park. It’s a great time to see the best arches in Arches National Park with their stunning red-color highlighted by a light dusting of snow.
Whatever season you choose to visit, be sure to bring plenty of water on this adventure.
Location of Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in Southeast Utah, just five miles north of the city of Moab on U.S. 191. It is also not far from Canyonlands National Park, so you could include that on your vacation to Moab.
Best Trails in Arches National Park With Kids
Here's a list of the top hikes in Arches National Park. All of these Arches National Park hikes would be considered family-friendly for school-aged kids and older.
Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch Trail
- Moderate Trail
- Distance: 3.2 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 629 Feet
About Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is one of the most popular trails in Arches National Park, and it's the famous arch you see on Utah license plates. But how bad is the Delicate Arch hike?
Actually, it's listed as one of the easiest trails, so it's one of the best trails to hike in Arches National Park with toddlers and younger kids. The trail to get to see Delicate Arch up close is about three miles round trip, with an elevation gain of 450 feet.
The Delicate Arch trailhead begins right at the parking lot, and there are porta potties there before you go.
One note is that to get to Delicate Arch on the trail, you are walking up rock at an incline without shade.
It is a moderate trail, though it is manageable; however, do wear great hiking shoes as the rock can be a bit slippery. And, you will want to wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and have lots of water – even though the hike to Delicate Arch isn't extremely long.
Getting To Delicate Arch Trail
If you want to hike directly to the Delicate Arch, the best path is to hike from the Wolfe Ranch, which is right near the parking lot. But this trail is longer and more difficult.
The beginning of the trail isn’t well-marked, but it's marked later with white arrows etched into the rock, and you'll see the nearby rock cairns. In bad weather, you'll deal with slippery and slick rocks, so be careful.
Another note is that some of the areas near the arch have narrow ledges and can be steep with a slope far down to the land below. We actually lost a water bottle when it rolled away. So while visiting this iconic arch, be sure to secure all of your belongings.
While you're in the area, take the time to visit the Wolfe Ranch and learn about the history of this one-room cabin.
Delicate Arch Viewing Trail
- Easy Trail
- Distance: .7 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 141 Feet
There is another path that is shorter. This trail is either 100 yards or 0.5 miles, depending on which way you go. The shorter path is wheelchair accessible, and you can see the arch in the distance.
If you're looking for a shorter hike in the area, you can walk to the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint by driving to the end of Delicate Arch Road.
The Delicate Arch is so impressive that if you only do one Arches National Park hike, this is the one to do.
Skyline Arch
- EasyTrail
- Distance: .4 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 36 Feet
Another Arches National Park easy hike is the trail to the Skyline Arch. To reach it, park at the Skyline Arch parking lot. It's a short trail, around 0.4-mile flat trail that's easy to hike. There is a rocky uphill slope at the start of the trail and note this is not wheelchair accessible.
Broken Arch
- Easy Trail
- Distance: 1.7 Miles Loop
- Elevation Gain: 167 Feet
The Broken Arch Loop is a 2-mile hike on a trail that crosses a big meadow to the location and then continues on to the Devils Garden Campground. The northern part of the loop is moderately difficult. But Broken Arch is still one of the best hikes in Arches National Park with kids.
For a longer loop and more moderate hike, you can take Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch Loop. This is a longer loop but still considered kid-friendly and is popular for campers. This loop is 2.8 miles with a 321 feet elevation gain.
Double Arch
- Easy Trail
- Distance: .6 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 95 Feet
Not to be confused with the Double O Arch, the Double Arch is a quick 0.5-mile hike that takes about 20 minutes to traverse. It is a spectacular thing to see because – at is aptly named – has two arches near each other.
It is located in the Windows section of the park, and its double arches are really mesmerizing. Watch the sunset through the Double Arch for spectacular views.
The Double Arch hike is one of the best hikes in Arches National Park with kids, including younger kids. And, the Double Arch Trail is accessible to wheelchairs with some assistance as it's a flat gravel surface.
The Delicate Arch Trail can be a more strenuous hike, so the Double Arch Trail would be a great easy hike after you visit the Delicate arch.
Navajo Arch and Partition Arch
- Moderate Trail
- Distance: 2.9 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 429 Feet
Navajo Arch isn't mentioned as much as some others, but it's a well-traveled back trail that is perfect for all levels. Some people even run on this trail as it's accessible all year long, and it's known for the beautiful wildflowers in the area.
Partition Arch is just near Navajo Arch, and is also worth visiting. The view from Partition arch is considered one of the greatest views through any arch in the park.
Navajo and Partition Arches are on the Navajo Arch Spur Trail, a sandy trail a bit over a mile from the Devil's Garden Trail Head. After about a mile from the Devil's Garden Trailhead at the parking lot, this trail takes a left. To complete this trail is about three miles long.
Tunnel Arch
- Easy Trail
- Distance: .7 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 154 Feet
The Tunnel Arch branches off the Devil's Garden Trail and is 0.7-miles roundtrip. It is well-trafficked and used for nature trips, hiking, and walking all year long. Located near Thompson, Utah, it's known for gorgeous wildflowers too and is great for all hiking skill levels.
Pine Tree Arch
- Easy Trail
- Distance: 1 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 196 Feet
The Pine Tree Arch Trail combined with the Tunnel Arch Trail is approximately one mile long and good for novice and experienced hikers. It's a pretty easy trail located about 0.5 miles before the Landscape Arch.
Landscape Arch
- Easy Trail
- Distance: 1.9 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 252 Feet
The Landscape Arch is along an easy, flat gravel trail that leads to an arch that creates a stunning view. Even some of the steep slopes are accessible to wheelchairs with some help.
One interesting fact (and reason to see Landscape Arch) is that Landscape Arch spans longer than a football field, making it quite an impressive arch. It's also known as the largest natural arch in the world, with an opening that's 32 feet wide and 46 feet tall.
This trail to Landscape Arch is about 1.9 miles long and takes a little under an hour to hike. It is easy up until the Landscape Arch. The Devil's Playground Trail becomes more difficult after that. Because of this, this front part to Landscape Arch is one of the best hikes in Arches National Park for kids. And we highly recommend building in time for Landscape Arch on your visit.
Turret Arch and Windows Primitive Trail
- Easy Trail
- Distance: 1.2 Miles Loop
- Elevation Gain: 154 Feet
This is one of the easy hikes in Arches National Park, and it is a great way to see three arches at once. It's a gentle incline up a gravel trail with stone steps that lead up to the massive North Window, Turret Arch, and South Window. It's the perfect place to see some of the most unique rock formations that give Arches National Park its name. The trail is about a one-mile roundtrip hike.
This hike is on an easy trail 1.2 miles long and used for hiking and snowshoeing in the winter. Since this trail is so popular, you may want to hike it early in the morning or late in the afternoon. When it's quieter, some people describe the South Window, North Window, and Turret Arches with just one word – serenity.
You can return the same way you came or you can take a slightly longer route on the primitive trail. Starting at the South Window viewpoint, you can hike around the windows.
It's also known for the primitive loop that winds around the back of the stunning arches, which make it one of the best hikes in Arches National Park. While you can travel off the trail here, the National Park website advises that you should stay on the trail.
Sand Dune Trail
- Easy Trail
- Distance: .3 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 108 Feet
The Sand Dune Arch is a favorite for some of the park rangers because of the different types of arches and the varied scenery you see over the three-mile hike. It's a more secluded arch that leads you through deep sand and rock formations.
This hike is one of the Arches National Park's best hikes you can walk with your family. You can make the full loop that starts at the Devil's Garden Campground or just traverse the shorter 0.3-mile trail that starts at the Sand Dune Arch Trailhead.
Tower Arch Trail
- Moderate Trail
- Distance: 2.4 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 600 Feet
This moderately difficult hike climbs a steep, short rock wall and then cuts across the valley as you wander through sand dunes and sandstone fins. There's a shorter, alternative trail that begins at the end of a four-wheel-drive road over on the west side of the arch.
The Tower Arch Trail is unpaved and can wash out in rainstorms, so be sure to check the road and weather conditions before hiking this trail.
Balanced Rock Trail
- Easy Trail
- Distance: .3 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 6 Feet
Balanced Rock is a loop trail that starts at the base of a rock that appears to balance on a stone spire. The start of the trail is a paved trail, so it's wheelchair accessible. It ends with a stunning viewpoint of the La Sal Mountains in the distance and The Windows.
Park Avenue Trail
- Easy Trail
- Distance: 1.8 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 298 Feet
Park Avenue Trail is another popular hike that's a moderately difficult two-mile-long trail. It starts at the Park Avenue lot and steeply descends into a gorgeous canyon, and then continues on to the Courthouse Towers. For a roundtrip hike, you can retrace your steps instead of walking the park road.
You can also take in the Courthouse Wash Rock Art if you park in the Lower Courthouse parking lot. It's a short easy hike across the Courthouse Wash bridge and definitely worth the trip.
Best Trails in Arches National Park With Teens or Adults
These trails are more advanced so I wouldn't recommend them with younger kids. Older kids and teens who are experienced hikers may be able to do them. They are spectacular so well worth doing if you can.
Double O Arch
- Moderate Trail
- Distance: 4.1 Miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: 672 Feet
The Double O Arch is one of the more difficult hiking trails, and it's about four miles long. It's for more experienced hikers as there is rocky footing, and you must climb over sandstone slabs.
Once you continue past Landscape Arch, the Double O Arch is considered the second largest one in the Devil’s Garden area.
This hike is good for families with teens and older kids who are experienced hikers, but the Double O arch is not great for younger kids.
Devil's Garden Trail
- Hard Trail
- Distance: 7.9 Miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 1085 Feet
Devil's Garden Trail is a seven-mile hike on the Primitive Trail loop. If you do the full Primitive Trail loop and all of the short trail spurs to other arches, you will complete the full Devil's Garden Trail.
It is hard, but could be doable for families with older kids and teens who are experienced hikers. This would not be a good hike for beginners.
But, for many visitors, it's a favorite hike because of the many different arches you can see on the trail.
It has a beautiful picnic area and a popular campground and a large parking lot. It's a loop where you can see eight popular arches:
- Double O Arch
- Landscape Arch
- Dark Angel Arch
- Tunnel Arch
- Pine Tree Arch
- Navajo Arch
- Partition Arch
- Dark Arch
The first part of the trail reaching Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world, is the easiest part. As it continues, the hike becomes one of the moderately difficult hikes in the park with steep climbs and some rocks to crawl over on several shorter hiking trails. If your family doesn't want to travel around the entire loop, you can turn around at any time.
Sometimes the Devils Garden Trail is closed for weather conditions depending on the season.
One of the best hikes in arches, it is long – about three to four hours to complete. It is one to do if you have two days in Arches National Park. You can learn more about the Devil's Garden Trail in this trail guide.
Fiery Furnace
- Moderate to Hard Trail
- Distance: 2.1 Miles loop
- Elevation Gain: 505 Feet
The Fiery Furnace is the ultimate hike for experienced hikers, but it's not one of the best hikes in Arches National Park if you have younger children. The National Park Website advises that there is no trail and that it's a labyrinth of narrow sandstone canyons with a lot of rock scrambling. You'll need good hiking shoes to climb up slick rocks, steep ledges, and sandy terrain.
The Fiery Furnace is a ranger-guided hike, or you can get an individual Fiery Furnace permit. This hike would only be recommended for very experienced hikers. Kids under age 5 are not allowed on this hike and kids ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
The cost of Ranger-led Fiery Furnace hikes are $16 per person.
Tips for Going on the Arches National Park Best Hikes
Now for hiking tips with kids for the best hikes in Arches National Park.
Visit Arches National Park Park Early for Sunrises
The views of the different arches are fantastic early in the morning at sunrise, so be sure to go early in the morning for your day of hikes in Arches National Park.
Do Delicate Arch First
This trail is very popular. It gets crowded fast, so consider hiking it first thing when you arrive at the park if you plan to visit the iconic Delicate Arch.
Also, be careful on this trail as there are some narrow spots, so hold onto your water bottles and cameras so they don't fall.
Bring Plenty of Water and Snacks
The weather can be extreme here, so be sure to bring plenty of water for the day. It's very hot and dusty in the park. You can get water all year at the Devils Garden Campground and Arches Visitor Center.
In normal conditions, you need between 11.5 and 15.5 cups of water per person, and that's not in desert conditions. You may want to bring some snacks and food if you plan on being in the park all day long.
Wear Good Hiking Clothing and Shoes
All the trails in Arches NP have various levels of difficulty and terrain. So, make sure to wear comfortable clothing and good hiking shoes that can give you traction in loose gravel.
Also, bring hats and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Be sure to check out this blog post on essential hiking gear for the whole family.
Stay on the Trail
While there are some places where you can go off the trail, it's best to stay on the main trail for safety reasons. People have fallen when trying to climb some of the arches and become stranded because of injuries. In fact, we witnessed a rescue while we were visiting.
Be Sure to Visit Moab While You're in the Area
Moab, Utah, is a tourist destination in itself with great places to dine and shop. There's also a city market there that is fun to visit where you can buy local foods, shop for the holidays, and more.
Where to Stay if You Don't Want to Camp
We love to stay at the Marriott Springhill Suites in Moab. This hotel has a nice pool and beautiful views, and you can visit the park for one or two days. The other nice thing about this location is you can also visit Canyonlands National Park as it’s close too. Check for more places to stay in Moab below.
Booking.comPractice Leave No Trace
Practice Leave No Trace while you're visiting the park so you can protect the beautiful natural landscape. If you're not sure what Leave No Trace is, check out the seven principles here.
Do not scratch or carve on the sandstone arches and rocks as it's vandalism. We want to keep these iconic arches peoples' favorite arches for years to come.
Getting To Arches National Park
The closest airports to Arches National Park are:
- Moab (CNY) airport (11 miles)
- Grand Junction Regional (GJT) airport (109 miles)
- Salt Lake City (SLC) airport (230 miles)
You can also drive, rent a car, or bring an RV.
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Hikes in Arches National Park
Is Arches National Park good for kids?
This park is great for the whole family, but if you have younger children, you'll want to stick to the easier trails listed above. You'll also find they have an awesome Junior Ranger Program that's the perfect way for children to learn about this national park.
Kids can get free booklets as well as Red Rock Explorer backpacks at the visitor center.
What is the most popular hike in Arches National Park?
The Delicate Arch Trail is probably the most popular hike in the National Park as it is an iconic arch and one of the highlights of the park. It is the largest free standing arch in Arches National Park. The whole trail is about 3.2 miles roundtrip.
What can you not miss in Arches National Park?
While you're visiting this National Park, you don't want to miss visiting the Landscape Arch, the largest arch in the world. You also don't want to miss a ranger-led hike or a ride on the 18-mile Scenic Drive that allows you to see a good part of the park from the road.
Also, don't miss a sunset or sunrise at the Delicate Arch, as the views are breathtaking.
Final Thoughts on Best Hikes in Arches National Park
If you want a unique family vacation different from your regular beach vacation, you'll love visiting Arches National Park with the beautiful sandstone formations, arches, and desert scenery. It's the perfect place for fun family hikes where you can make amazing memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether you're visiting during a family road trip or taking a plane ride to a family vacation, you'll find plenty of things to do in Arches National Park with kids.
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