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MOAB — Arches National Park has many great hikes for the whole family, but doing a longer and more secluded hike would help you to avoid the crowds and enjoy the sights in peace.
One such hike is Double O Arch, which requires you to drive to Devil's Garden and hike 4.5 miles round trip.
The trail starts on the north end of the Devil's Garden parking area. It's an easy hike for the first 0.8 miles of the trail — a solid dirt path with minimal inclines. Once you reach Landscape Arch, the trail becomes a bit more difficult.
Landscape Arch is also where the trail divides: there's the main trail or the primitive trail. The main trail begins with a stair-like incline up a rock face, similar to what you'd be hiking to reach Delicate Arch. Just keep hiking; it will level off once you get to the top. From there, you'll need to keep an eye out for cairns so you don't lose sight of the trail.
During the rest of the hike, there are times you have to climb onto and off of large rock fins. But standing on the rock fins offers amazing views of the vast landscape, including the La Sal Mountains to the southeast.
Once you hook around the final part of the trail, you'll see Double O Arch. Find the lower hole (arch) in the rock and climb through it. You can also hike up behind the arch for another view of Devil's Garden. (Note: It is both dangerous and prohibited to stand on the arch, as with all arches in the National Park.)
From Double O Arch, you can continue on to Dark Angel. It adds 1 mile to the total round-trip hike, and it's relatively flat with no shade.
When you're ready to return to your car, you have a choice to make: go back the way you came or try the primitive trail (signs will guide you to either route).
The primitive trail is a longer path back to Landscape Arch, but the added challenge of the terrain makes it more of an adventure. (Note: There is an area of the trail where water collects, so you may have to wade through waist-deep water if it's been raining.)
The primitive trail connects back in to the main trail at Landscape Arch, at which point it's just 0.8 miles back to the parking lot.
Directions: Just north of Moab, along U.S. Highway 191, is the entrance to Arches National Park. Once inside the park, follow the main road 18 miles to the Devil's Garden parking area. Hike the trail toward Landscape Arch, then continue to Double O Arch and Dark Angel.
Tips:
1. Utah is hot! Bring enough water for your entire group. The recommendation is for 2 liters of water per person. There's not much shade along the trail, so be prepared.
2. During the summer, cars are lined up waiting to get into the park. The earlier you can get into the park, the less time you'll wait and the more options you'll have for parking.
3. Arches National Park is beautiful year round, so consider visiting in the off-season too.
Destination: Double O Arch
Difficulty: Difficult
Round trip: 4.5 miles (add 1 mile for round-trip spur to Dark Angel)
Hiking time: 2-3 hours
Alternate round trip: 7.2 miles along the primitive trail (4 hours)
Elevation gain: 650 feet
Trailhead restrooms: Yes
Park entrance fee: $30 per private vehicle or an Annual National Parks Pass
Pets: No. Pets are not allowed on any hiking trail in Arches National Park. Jason is a traveler and photographer, sharing his work at Carltonaut's Travel Tips. Whether he's traveling for business or pleasure, he finds ways to make the trip more affordable, more fun, and more memorable.
