A list recently came out of 10 life-changing trails in Utah. As I read through the list I was happy to have some of them already checked off including Angels Landing in Zion National Park, Delicate Arch at Arches National Park, and Queen’s Garden in Bryce Canyon National Park. One trail on the list really intrigued me though. I thought I had done it, but really I only did a short jaunt down the start of the trial. It is the Devils Garden Trail in Arches National Park.
My one adventure to Arches prior to this took me to Delicate Arch and as far as Landscape Arch on the Devils Garden Trail. As part of my road trip from Phoenix to Salt Lake City, my last adventure was a full-day exploring the Devils Garden. It was extraordinary and magnificent and glorious and tranquil.
The trail is 7+ miles if you take all of the little spurs to hidden treasures through this beautiful garden, which I did. It is considered strenuous and is not for the faint of heart as it rambles up and over sandstone fins.
The trail is broken into three segments: the Landscape Arch walk, the Double O Arch Trail, and the Primitive Trail.
Landscape Arch Trail
The first section to Landscape Arch is fairly easy on a well-maintained path. It ends at a viewpoint for the biggest arch in the park. There is one spur trail off of this leading to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch. It is at Landscape Arch that the trail splits into the other two trails that connect to form a loop through Devils Garden.
Most people turn around at this point. A large number do head to the left though toward Double O Arch. I headed to the right on the Primitive Trail to save the biggest grouping of arches for the end as a reward for taking the long trail. I’m glad I did because I had the Primitive Trail mostly to myself until I reached the junction at Double O.
Devils Garden Loop Primitive Trail
This section of the hike is secluded and serene. It meanders through beautiful desert landscape with soft red sand. Eventually you come to a maze of sandstone fins where you hike in between them, over them, and around them. At times I felt like an ibex hopping from stone to stone and up the side of rock faces.
Along this section of Devils Garden are spur trails to hidden arches that pierce the mighty finials of stone. Then you start seeing people, lots of people, hanging out on rocks and at an arch. This is Double O Arch and where the trails converge.
Before exploring this arch-over-arch, I took the spur off to the Dark Angel. This is a monolithic sandstone spire with outstanding views to the backcountry of the park.
Double O Arch Trail
Connecting the two main trail sections is a magnificent example of nature’s architecture with Double O Arch. It is actually two arches stacked on each other with a massive window on top and small portal on bottom.
After pondering a little at this fabulous creation, I began following the Double O Trail back to Landscape Arch. This is an exciting trail that takes you on top of one of the massive fins, across one of the highest points in the garden with shear drops on either side of you. It is almost like the upper section of Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
There are also some short spur trails along this route too. They lead to Navajo Arch and Partition Arch—both spectacular structures. Partition is two openings side-by-side that frame the expanses of Arches National Park beautifully. By this point my tootsies were aching. It was only a short distance more back to the trailhead.
Did it change my life?
I truly enjoyed this hike and would definitely recommend it. I don’t know if I would say it changed my life, but it was a magnificent way to commune with my Creator. The rock formations are unlike anything you’ll see anywhere else and the beauty of the place is easy to get lost in.
I definitely found the name a little misleading as it is more heavenly than devilish, but if I had to guess those who named it were trying to keep people from wandering into the labyrinth that would surely have brought injury or death to someone not prepared with no trails.
Be sure to bring plenty of water and trail snacks as it will take you more than a couple of hours to complete the whole loop. Wear good, gripping hiking shoes and bring your camera.
Delicate Arch Overlook
I didn’t try to do much more than Devils Garden on this trip to Arches. However, before I hit the trail I did take a quick visit to the Delicate Arch Overlook. This is a short easy trail that lets you look up at the iconic Utah symbol without hiking up to it.
I’m sure I’ll be back to Arches again someday, but until then adventure is out there. Go have one!
