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Devils Garden Primitive Loop: A Complete Guide
Ideal for adventure seekers, Devils Garden Primitive Loop is deemed the hardest and longest maintained trail in Arches National Park. If you’re eager to explore the rough terrain that the desert outback has to offer, this is the route for you. The rugged trail offers spectacular views of the park and chances to see multiple arches up close and personal. Beginning at Devils Garden Trailhead, follow the popular trail before taking a detour to explore the lesser trodden paths of Arches National Park. Below we’ve listed a basic trail guide in three easy steps!
Devils Garden Primitive Loop Hiking Route
Getting to Devils Garden Primitive Loop Hiking Trail
Arches National Park is fairly isolated. The nearest town to the Visitor Centre is Moab, around a 10 minute drive away. However it is possible to visit from further afar, just be aware that once at the park there is no public transport, so be sure to drive or take a bicycle. If this is a road trip, check out our Top 10 Scenic American Road Trip Stops to discover where else you could visit whilst in Utah!
By Plane
The nearest airport is Salt Lake City, 230 miles away. Located north of the park it’s a fairly simple but long drive to the main entrance. Head south from Salt Lake City, following I-15 which eventually joins to US 191. Arches National Park Visitors Centre will be on your left, from here follow the instructions below from the main entrance.
From Moab
Drive North along US 191 until you reach Arches National Park Visitors Centre. This is the main entrance to the park and from here follow the main road north for approximately 19 miles. The road ends at car park, Devils Garden Trailhead, this is where the hike begins.
Top Tip: The Visitors Centre is the last place with flushing toilets in the park.
Entrance
Entrance to Arches National Park is $30 per vehicle, however if you have an America The Beautiful Pass, the entrance fee is covered. It’s definitely worth considering the aforementioned pass, especially if you’re planning on visiting several National Parks within the year.
Accommodation
If visiting in mid summer, it might be worth staying somewhere with air conditioning. We camped to save money but this meant we were up and out of the tent early to avoid hiking in the heat. Because of the intense summer heat we recommend you finish hiking by 11am , which makes having access to a pool during the midday heat an absolute dream. That’s why we would recommend:
Where: Canyonlands Campground
Cost: Approx $40 per night, tent site, no hook up
Facilities: Bathrooms, Showers, Laundry Facilities, Fire Pits, Picnic Benches and more.
Bonus: It has a pool and even an onsite gas station to top up before hitting the road again!
Stage 1: Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Top Tip: It’s easy to turn into Devils Garden Campground early on, be sure to follow signs for the hiking trail!
Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch
From the car park follow signs for the trailhead, it’ll be fairly obvious as it’s often busy with fellow hikers. The first stretch is well marked and takes you along a dirt path, winding through the area known as Devils Garden. Whilst in this first section you’ll come across several spurs, the first of which leads you to the initial two arches of the trail; Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. Be sure to take all the spurs along the path to ensure you see all seven arches on offer! Both these first arches are easy to access, you can get close to Pine Tree Arch, however do not attempt to climb or walk on any of the arches in the park.
Photo Tip: Pine Tree Arch is ground level which means it offers a great opportunity to frame the rocky landscape beyond in its window.
Landscape Arch
After you’ve seen Tunnel and Pine Tree Arch retrace your steps along the spurs, back to the main trail. You’re still in Devils Garden and shortly you’ll come across the incredible Landscape Arch. Standing alone, this magnificent rock formation is one of the most popular arches in the park, second only to Delicate Arch in our opinion.
Fun Fact: Spanning 93m, Landscape Arch is the longest natural arch in the world!
Stage 2: Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Partition Arch and Navajo Arch
Having seen the wonder that is Landscape Arch you are now on the Primitive Loop. The onward path gets wild and ambiguous, for this reason many tourists turn back after seeing Landscape Arch. The steep second stage of this hike begins on a sadder note. From Landscape Arch climb the uneven path to where Wall Arch once stood. Unfortunately the 12th largest arch in the park collapsed during the night of 4th August 2008, a reminder that these spectacular formations are not permanent and will eventually succumb to nature. Shortly after seeing these ruins, take the spur on your left to see Partition Arch and Navajo Arch. Partition Arch consists of two openings, one large and one small, the larger of the two offers spectacular views of the scenery behind and can even be seen from the car park. Navajo Arch is often overlooked, the tunnel like structure is set in peaceful surroundings and is only a short distance from the main trail.
Top Tip: The desert of Arches can often be mistaken for lifelessness, however the park is home to 273 species of bird, 50 species of mammal and a variety of amphibians and reptiles. So be sure to stay on the main trails to help protect and preserve the unique life forms found in Arches National Park.
Double O Arch
Continuing on the Primitive trail, climb the narrow rock fin to black arch overlook. This section of the trail was our favourite, hiking along the spine like formation, we felt on top of the world! The narrow path (1.5m in places) along the top of the fin has steep drops and might not suit those with a fear of heights. Before long you’ll come across Double O Arch, the unusual structure consists of one arch on top of another. To get here you’ll have done a fair bit of scrambling and completed some of the most challenging terrain along this route. From this point the trail becomes more difficult to follow so keep an eye out for markers.
Stage 3: Devils Garden Primitive Loop
Dark Angel
Continue on the dirt path and having seen the penultimate arch on this hike, Double O arch, you’ll reach a junction. Head left to see Dark Angel or right to continue along the primitive trail towards Private Arch. However, seeing the 46m sandstone pillar, isolated from all other rock formations, alone in the desert is a highlight of this trail and should not be missed. Only 1/2 mile off the main path it won’t add too much time and as there aren’t many more specific sights to see on this trail, most feel compelled to take the spur.
Top Tip: When you arrive at Dark Angel, see if you can spot any climbers scaling the face of it. The size of a human on top really puts the scale of it into perspective.
Private Arch
After absorbing the magnificence and beauty of Dark Angel, retrace your steps to the junction then continue along the Primitive Loop. Be sure to take in the views over arches as you scramble and climb over the rocky fins, keep an eye out for cairns as by this point the path can be hard to see. Eventually you come across a spur off to the right, this takes you to Private Arch, by this point on the trail most people have turned back. Therefore, unlike many of the other arches you’re likely to have this one to yourself. As the last arch you’ll see on the Primitive Loop, the tranquillity of Private Arch is the perfect spot to take a breather and rest before continuing on to the end of the Primitive Loop. Continue on weaving through the fins and towards the end you might find yourself scrambling a little to get over one of the larger water pockets. Careful not to fall in! Eventually the path rejoins the gravel of Devils Garden and leads you back to the trailhead and car park.
Top Tip: Stay alert in this last section as the path is not well marked and can change direction quickly, you could miss a marker and end up lost in the maze of rocks and gullys.
Highlights
Seven Arches
The tough route allows hikers the opportunity to discover seven of the incredible natural arches in the park!
- Tunnel Arch
- Pine Tree Arch
- Landscape Arch
- Navajo Arch
- Partition Arch
- Double O Arch
- Private Arch
Dark Angel
Tranquility
As the longest and most challenging of the trails in the park, many visitors turn back before Double O Arch, once the trail becomes the Primitive Loop. So for that reason you may not come across many other hikers, even at the height of the summer season.
Top Tip: During summer months, set off in time to allow you to finish the hike before 11am. Alternatively only start your hike after 5pm to avoid the intense desert heat. The hike is completely unshaded and hard work, so be sure to take enough water.
Key Points
- Take plenty of water, particularly if hiking in summer. Try to avoid the midday heat and hike before 11am or after 5pm.
- Wear appropriate footwear, the steep rocky path is uneven and can involves some scrambles.
- Check the weather, this trail is not recommended when wet/icy. It can be treacherous when snow and ice settle on the steep slopes of the bare rock.
- This trail is not suitable for those uncomfortable with heights and steep drops.
We hope we’ve inspired you to take on Devils Garden Primitive Loop, if you’re looking for more hiking inspiration check out our Top 10 Scenic American Road Trip Stops. Let us know in the comments below if you have any more tips for visiting Arches National Park. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram to see our most recent adventures!
All the best,
Eve and Nick