Devils Gardens Hike -- Arches National Park, Utah

Most of our time, so far, has been spent in Arches NP, which is much closer to our RV park, and quite accessible. Canyonlands will be our focus for the latter part of our stay.  

Tour company buses can be found loading or unloading at every pull-off large enough for their vehicles! There are also lots of young families hiking with pre-schoolers; nice to see the little ones getting exposed to nature and our country’s wonderful parks.

The first visit to Arches was in the rain.  We took a ride to one of the areas to get the lay of the land for future visits in the sun!  The three major areas we visited were the Devils Garden area at the end of the road in the park – about 25 miles, the Windows Area, and the Park Avenue Canyon area. 

This post covers our trip on a 1.6 mile (plus side trails) round trip hike to Landscape Arch.  It was the highest area of the park so we drove through sunshine to clouds at the trailhead.  Luckily the clouds cleared as we reached the arch.  

Tunnel Arch on a side trail to Landscape Arch

Pine Tree Arch (note Leslie in the shot)

Views back on main trail to Landscape Arch

Lupine or Crown Vitch?

First view of Landscape Arch

Best view of the arch further down the trail

View of La Sal Mountains from the trail

Traffic stopped on trail to view wildlife

Hopi Chipmunk

Distant Mesas

Rock cliffs along trail

The hike to Landscape Arch was well worth it.  We were lucky with sunshine for most of the way.  Rain started again when we reached the trailhead and the car!