hiking guidebook 2005


travel guidebook 2004

World > North America > USA Southwest > Devil's Garden

One of the best hiking hikes in the world is

DEVIL'S GARDEN

Other great dayhikes in this Park include:

  • Delicate Arch
  • Devil's Garden - Primitive Loop
  • Park Avenue
  • Fiery Furnace (permit required)

Devil's Garden is the path to unbelievable Landscape Arch, the world's longest. Don't miss it if you pass through Moab.

Confusingly, there are other Devil's Gardens, including one in Escalante National Monument, Utah.

The red dot is ARCHES NATIONAL PARK , Utah.

AT A GLANCE

  • Devil's Garden - Primitive Loop is our favourite hike in Arches
  • the full loop is a challenging dayhike 7.2mi (11.6km) plus side trips
  • shorter, easier versions of the Devil's Garden are more popular:
    • Devil's Garden to Landscape Arch return 2mi (3.2km)
    • Devil's Garden to Double O Arch return 4mi (6.4km) return
  • easy - moderate difficulty in good weather on the shorter trails
  • rock scrambling may be required on the Primitive Loop
  • no public transportation to trailhead
  • worst months are June - Aug when average highs of 104F (40C) can strike down even fit hikers
  • best months are in the Spring and Fall
  • early morning or late afternoon is best

WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE

Arches uniquely has 2,000+ natural sandstone arches. There is no Park in the world remotely similar.

  • hiking permit not required
  • access to the trailhead is quick and easy out of Moab, Utah
  • other excellent hikes nearby
  • shorter hikes are safe for children and non-hikers
  • sidetrips to and around Navajo, Partition and Double O Arches
  • finding the best angle for arch photos
  • searching for lesser known arches on the Primitive Loop: Hidden, Private, Box, Black, and Crystal
  • some hikers like the sidetrip to Dark Angel Tower, some do not
  • Landscape Arch is likely the longest, definitely the most amazing of any we have seen
  • Natural Arch and Bridge Society measured Landscape at 290.1 ± 0.8 feet (88.4 m) slightly longer than Kolob Arch in Zion
  • ... add a comment here

CONSIDERATIONS

Since 1991 at least 3 large slabs have fallen from the thinnest section of Landscape Arch, forcing the Park Service to close the trail that once passed beneath it.

Hikers are warned repeatedly about the dangers of the heat, the lack of water in the back country and the high risk of getting lost. (This is one part of the world where carrying a GPS is highly recommended.)

People have even died in Arches National Park.

  • National Parks Permit or entrance fee required for Arches
  • You need a vehicle to hike Arches. Hitchhiking is illegal and you will be cited if caught by the police.
  • carry plenty of water and sufficient clothing
  • beware snow and ice mid-winter
  • cairns mark the route over slickrock on the Primitive Loop (good footing). We got confused, having to backtrack, several times.
  • there is only one (excellent) campground (52 sites) and it is difficult to get a space. But it's easy to hike Devil's Garden as a day trip out of Moab.
  • two days in Arches National Park are needed to do all the major dayhikes so the campground can be a good option if you can get a spot. Devil's Garden trailhead is very close so you can get a dawn start ahead of the crowds if you camp there.
  • pets allowed in the Park and in the campground, but not on any hiking trails
  • mosquitoes and biting flies may be a problem in the spring and early summer.
  • if you really look, you might be able to find: black widow spider, centipede, scorpion, rattlesnake or tarantula.
  • We saw four-foot-long gopher snakes on this trail (video) (non-poisonous)
  • combine a trip to Arches with nearby fantastic Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) National Park
  • ... add a comment here

ROUTES


larger version - Road Trip USA
  • the jumping off point for almost everyone is Moab
  • Arches National Park Information Station is just a few miles from town. In fact, there is a bike trail between Moab and the Park.
  • stop at the National Park visitor centre at the entrance to pay for your Park pass (if you don't already have one)
  • the trailhead, very clearly signed, is at the end of the Park road
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larger map - Climb Utah

LOGISTICS

If you sign on with a guided tour, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.

  • it's nearly essential to have your own vehicle to travel in this part of the world.
  • many rent a car in a major city and drive to Moab, Utah. Salt Lake City is 4.5hrs, Denver is 6hrs, Las Vegas further.
  • if you insist on coming via public transport, take the Bighorn Express shuttle van from the Salt Lake City airport. You can catch Bighorn in Green River as well which has both Greyhound bus and Amtrak train service.
  • American Spirit shuttle can deliver you to Moab from Grand Junction, Colorado
  • you could even fly to Moab's Canyonlands Field airport though flights are expensive
  • in town the best rent-a-car option is Thrifty Moab . Book ahead as their cars are often "out" during high season. (There are plenty of expensive jeeps and Hummers available though.)
  • more transportation options
  • driving through Moab on the noisy highway is a drag. Many experienced hikers avoid this over-priced tourist trap except to resupply with groceries and do laundry. But there is a great outdoors shop (Gearheads) if you need camp stove fuel.
  • to be fair, if you take any side street in Moab, you'll find a clean, friendly town with amazing bike trails
  • Moab has an award winning public library
  • free wireless internet is available almost everywhere in town if you have your own laptop
  • there are many accommodation and restaurant options
  • tent at charming Up The Creek campground in Moab or just out of town in one of many popular spots along the river. (Ask about free tenting spots at tourist information.)
  • ... add a comment here

Hike and bike shuttles from Moab. Negotiate a fee for drop-off and/or pick-up.

HIKING GUIDES

Most hike Devil's Garden independently unless they are with a group tour.

LOCAL INFORMATION

First stop in town should be the Moab Visitors Center . Check on local news, road construction, trail closures, etc.

For information on Arches National Park:

Telephone and on-line reservations for Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park (both group and individual sites) may be made through the new recreation.gov website.

Most hikers cannot book long enough in advance to get a reservation. You'll find them lined up (with us) an hour before the Arches Parks office opens, hoping to score a last-minute spot. Be as flexible as possible with your itinerary.

BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS

Most often recommended is Schneider's book as it covers most of the best hikes in the area. (Actually, no guidebook is needed if you are only hiking in Arches National Park.)

There are a dozen other good Utah hiking books, of course, most of which include Devil's Garden.

BEST TRAVEL GUIDEBOOKS

OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Desert Solitaire  - Edward Abbey, 1968 is the essential book for a visit to Arches. His comic, insightful experiences as a Park Ranger in the early days still resonate with hikers today.

BEST MAPS

Trails Illustrated Arches National Park shows hiking routes, recreational activities and is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. 1:50000. It's the best though is certainly not needed if you are only hiking Devil's Garden.

Free maps are available for Arches at the visitor's centres, as well.

BEST WEB PAGES

After this page, the best links are:

BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS

MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs

There are many DVDs and VHS videos for sale in Utah which include Landscape Arch.



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This page last modified Tuesday, December 25, 2007.