Devils Garden Primitive Loop - 8.1 Miles Round-Trip

The Devils Garden Trail and Primitive Loop Trail combine to form the longest maintained hiking route in Arches National Park. 7 named arches and monolithic Dark Angel highlight the Devils Garden Trail, while the Primitive Loop weaves through a labyrinth of rock gardens, fins and washes.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

This imaginative landscape is lightly traveled, rugged and occasionally difficult to follow - ideal for adventure seekers comfortable in the desert backcountry.

The Devils Garden Trail follows a groomed path to a spur for Tunnel Arch and Pine Arch (.35 miles). Tunnel Arch enjoys favorable morning light, though Pine Arch is arguably more interesting.

The main trail continues to Landscape Arch near the Primitive Loop Trail split (1.35 miles : 5,167'). At 290.1' across Landscape Arch is thought to be the longest rock span in the world, followed by Kolob Arch in Zion National Park (287.4').

This lead is considered tenuous, as Landscape Arch is near collapse. The trail climbs from Landscape Arch into a crumbled slot once topped by Wall Arch (1.65 miles : 5,242').

At 33' high and 71'across, it ranked 12th in size among the Park's estimated 2000 arches before succumbing to gravity, erosion and stress fractures during the night of August 4th - 5th 2008.

In 1.85 miles you'll reach the spur for Partition Arch (.2 miles : 5382) and Navajo Arch (.3 miles : 5,395'). The spurs to each pass underneath the respective arches; the former offers sweeping easterly views through its archway, while the latter hides an interesting shaded alcove.

Once back at the Partition-Navajo Arch spur (2.75 miles of total hiking to this point), the main trail rises up the spine of a narrow fin (3.05 miles : 5,425') to the Black Arch overlook (3.2 miles : 5,396').

A faint path continues to the Double O Arch spur - Dark Angel - Primitive Loop Trail junction (3.6 miles : 5,379'), from which a spur veers left to the base of Double O Arch (3.65 miles : 5,398').

Double O Arch is named for the stacked appearance of two arches. You'll need to improvise for a good look from the east, however it's easily viewed and best lit in the afternoon from the trail to Dark Angel.

The Devils Garden Trail drops down, then rises through a brushy plateau crowned by Dark Angel (4.15 miles : 5,426') - a towering 150' monolith at the trail's most northern point.

The slickrock bench from which Dark Angel rises looks over Salt Valley and the Klondike Bluffs. Return the way you came to the Double O Arch spur - Dark Angel - Primitive Loop Trail junction (4.55 miles : 5,398') and bear left on the Primitive Loop Trail.

Trail markings are less frequent and clear; be alert, look for cairns and anticipate quick changes in direction. The trail winds along a canyon floor to the Private Arch split (5.0 miles : 5,218').

Bear right through a rocky slot to the arch (5.25 miles : 5,198'), best viewed from the spine of a nearby and easily scaled fin. Return as you came (5.5 miles back on main trail).

The Primitive Loop continues through a sequence of washes and fins, where you might find water pockets and wildlife in shaded, secluded slots.

The trail enters a well-defined wash at 6.15 miles, exiting to the right at 6.35 miles (marked by a signpost). Here the Primitive Loop Trail gradually rises above wondrous rock gardens to a sagebrush prairie.

The trail crests (7.0 miles : 5,240') and levels back to the Devils Garden Trail junction (7.25 miles : 5,167'). Follow the gravel path back to the Devils Garden Trailhead (8.1 miles : 5,117').