7 Arches to see in Arches National Park without hiking

Arches National Park

Hike Difficulty: 1/5

Fun Factor: 5/5

Things get a little hairy after you walk through the second set of tunnels and the canyon starts to fade into the background. For some reason, my All Trails download did not include the part of the map circled above. It simply turned onto an unidentifiable straightaway.

I retraced my steps twice through the tunnels to make sure there was no way out of the canyon I had missed. There wasn’t.

If I had the map above, I’d probably give this trail a 4/5 but getting confused as the temperature rises in the desert was not a fun time. I was pretty worried and nearly went back the way I had come.

There are no official trail markers so I just looked for a steady slope up to the top.

When you reach the top, you’re on a paved path enjoyed by runners and bikers. You take this paved path until reaching a very well-marked second descent into the canyon.

The second half of the canyon is a slight downhill. There are a few sections that require you to climb down. These areas might look tricky but they’re very doable for any able-bodied person.

I’m only 5’2″. I needed to plan my steps but with some thought they were easy challenges. Because of these, the trail would be easier the opposite direction. It’s always easier to climb up than down. 

When you exit the second canyon, you’re out on a desert path that takes you back toward the trailhead. Off in the distance, there’s a little glimmer of Lake Mead.

It is wild to see so much water in the midst of this vast desert. I climbed out to the rocky look out to get the picture on the above and enjoy the view. 

By the end, you’re at the wash where the trail divides and you begin the incline up to the parking lot. 

This is a nice little trail for casual hikers and someone wanting a quick, easy hike. If I do it again, I certainly won’t get lost!