11 Best Hikes in Arches National Park with Kids
I’ve been to Arches National Park a few times in my life, and it never gets old. Pre-kids, I’ve hiked through Fiery Furnace and done some more challenging hikes. So I wondered if there were many hikes to do now that kids have come along.
I quickly learned that there are still plenty of great ways to enjoy the park with kids. If you are heading on a family vacation to Arches National Park, here are a few tips to plan your best trip. And while there are so many arches to see, here are the easiest, best hikes in Arches National Park with kids.
Hiking with kids in national parks can be a lot of fun. Hiking in Arches is especially fun thanks to the unique and numerous things to see. Enjoy walking through the sand inside rock walls, checking out the most famous arch in Utah, or taking in incredible views.
This post will take you on a stop-by-stop journey through the park so you can plan to hit all the best places in order while driving.
Easy Hikes for Kids in Arches National Park
Arches National Park is pretty easy to navigate. There is one main road with a couple offshoots. While the park has over 2,000 known arches in the park, here are just a few arches and other cool sites that are easy to get to for young ones in order of driving through the park.
Hikes on the first right-hand turn off (The Windows Section):
Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock can easily be seen from the road as you drive through. However, it makes a quick, easy hike for kids in Arches. The parking lot is smaller, so you may have to wait a moment. But once you park, getting up-close to Balanced Rock is an easy walk.
The trail is mainly paved, too, so you can bring your stroller.
The entire trail is just over a quarter mile.
Garden of Eden in Arches National Park
This is a really fun little hike for kids in Arches National Park. While it’s not necessarily all about arches, the Garden of Eden is a fun place to climb. There is no set trail so that visitors can walk around independently.
You’ll love the beauty of this place, and the kids will love the ability to be free to climb around.
The Windows at Arches National Park with kids
The Windows section is another great place for kids to climb around a bit.
The North Window has a trail that leads right to it, and then you can climb on the rock that forms the window.
The South Window isn’t far from the North; you can also see the Turret Arch.
The hike from the car to the Windows Arches isn’t long. If you go up to both windows, it’s about 1-mile round trip. Of course, when you get to the first window, the kids will love stopping for a visit to climb around.
At the Windows, you can climb up into the arch, which is cool and provides a cool viewpoint.
While overall, we didn’t feel too nervous about our kids climbing up here, I had to remind them to be careful a few times. If you’ve got really little ones, I’d stay close when you climb up into the arch.
Double Arch
Double Arch can be accessed from the same parking lot as The Windows. To do so, you’ll have to cross back through the parking lot and to the other side of the bathroom. There, a trail will lead you down and across the road to the Double Arch Trail.
Once you’re on the other side of the road, the Double Arch Trail is only about 1/4 mile away (1/2 mile round trip). It’s relatively flat and easy to reach the bottom of the arches. However, if you want to climb into the arch, you’ll have to climb a bit of rock.
This arch is pretty cool. It consists of two arches that share one side, almost like they have been fanned out.
Back to the Main Road in Arches National Park:
Panorama Point
As you continue driving north from the Windows Section on the main road, you’ll come to Panorama Point in Arches National Park. This is the perfect place to pull over and eat a picnic lunch.
A few sheltered picnic tables provide much-needed relief from the sun. No matter which way you look, you have an incredible scenic view of the park around you.
Parking is right next to the picnic area (as well as a bathroom), so it’s more of a viewpoint and lunch stop than a hike.
Continue back on the main road heading north and turn down the next road to Delicate Arch:
Delicate Arch Viewpoint
You can hike all the way up close to Delicate Arch, but it is a 3 mile trip that will require a few hours if you’ve got little ones.
Luckily, you can also get a great view of Delicate Arch from the viewpoint trail.
There are two options for a viewpoint. The first option is to walk about 100 yards to the lower viewpoint. You’ll see the arch at a distance, but this is perfect if the kids aren’t up for a hike.
The second option is to hike from the same parking lot to the upper viewpoint. This hike is about half a mile long, ascending a bit and having a few stairs. But at only half a mile, it’s totally doable.
The view from the upper viewpoint is pretty great. You can see the arch in the distance without spending hours getting there!
Note: If seeing Delicate Arch up close is a priority, then go for it! I wouldn’t do this close-up hike with toddlers unless you carry them in a pack. But if the kids are up for a longer and more challenging hike, plenty of older kids (8+ years) are doing this hike. Please bring lots of water and be careful around the arch itself.
*To access the hike to Delicate Arch, you’ll have to park at Wolfe Ranch, not the viewpoint lots.
Wolfe Ranch Petroglyphs and Trail
This is where you’ll want to park if you do decide to hike right up to Delicate Arch.
However, even if you are not hiking to Delicate Arch, Wolfe Ranch is a cool stop to make.
At Wolfe Ranch, you can take the short trail to see the rock art left behind by the Ute tribes.
You can also see a small part of history at Wolfe Ranch. Back in 1898, a man named John Wolfe and his son settled these 100+ acres after leaving Ohio. Today, you can still see the small one-room cabin he and his son lived in.
Wolfe Ranch and Petroglyph Trail are on the same trail, and exploring them takes about half a mile.
Back to the Main Road:
Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
Fiery Furnace was named for the warm glow the sun gives to the red rock formations. It’s actually a maze of cool, shadowed sandstone canyons.
The trails within are not marked. For that reason, if you’d like to hike within Fiery Furnace, you will need a reservation for a guided ranger-led hike.
With little kids, I recommend the beautiful viewpoint that is easily accessible. Just park and hop out of the car, and you’ll be greeted with towers of seemingly-glowing rock. No hike required.
Sand Dune Arch in Arches National Park with Kids
Sand Dune Arch was one of my kids’ favorite hikes in Arches National Park.
You’ll begin outside on a sandy, easy trail. But shortly on, you’ll head into what feels like an indoor cavern of sandstone walls. The ground beneath is soft sand, making this arch land in a beautiful setting.
Once you head in, it’s nice and cool; no sunglasses required.
It’s less than a quarter-mile to get to Sand Dune Arch.
Kids will love trekking through the sand and getting a little relief from the sun.
The hike is short and easy, making it perfect for kids. However, a stroller wouldn’t really work because of the soft sand.
If you have time for a few other arches from the Sand Dune Arch trailhead, you can also head to Broken Arch, which is a 1.3 miles round trip. Further, you can head to Tapestry Arch, which is about 1 mile away from Broken Arch. You can also access it from the Devil’s Garden parking lot for a shorter hike.
Skyline Arch
Skyline Arch is another great arch to see with kids. It’s under 1/2 mile round trip.
Skyline Arch is a sandy trail that is pretty easy to follow. Once it gets closer to the arch, the trail just fades away, so you know you’ve reached the end.
Look up and you’ll quickly see the big arch up in the sky as you get near. This is a pretty easy arch to hike to with kids.
Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch
Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch are both accessed from the same trailhead. The trail starts and then splits off depending on which arch you’d like to go to. It’s roughly one mile to see both arches.
To see Tunnel Arch, you will split off to the right. It’s not very far down to see Tunnel Arch.
Then head back and continue down the other split (as if you had turned left from the original trail) to see Pine Tree Arch.
The sandy trail has uneven parts, so I do not recommend a stroller.
Where is Arches National Park
Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah in the United States. It’s in the town of Moab, where plenty of family-friendly things exist.
Moab is the best place to stay for Arches National Park. It’s a quick drive to the park and filled with hotels, restaurants, and shopping. Make sure to book early, as hotels do fill up in Moab, especially during busy seasons.
To access Arches, the quickest major airport to fly into is Salt Lake City, about a 4 hour drive from the park.
You could also fly into Denver and make a road trip out of it. A drive from the airport to the park takes just under 6 hours.
What to Bring to Arches National Park
Arches can get very hot in the summer. Make sure you have plenty of water, snacks, a map of the park, good hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and a great hiking backpack to put it all in.
All the hikes I list in this post are pretty easy and relatively short, making them perfect hikes for kids in Arches National Park. However, if you have a baby or really young one with you, you might want to bring a baby carrier to make things easier.
Cool Places to Stay Near Arches National Park
Fairfield Inn—You have to see the pool at this one. Swim in the large outdoor area against the backdrop of red rock, or relax under the flowing waterfall in the center.
Element – Cool pool, cool setting, updated interior!
Quick Info about Arches National Park
- Open 365 days a year
- The visitor’s center is open every day except Christmas
- There is no food/gas/lodging in the park. Get what you need in Moab before heading in.
- Camping: You can camp in the park at Devil’s Garden, and it’s strongly recommended to make a reservation before arriving
- Timed Entry: YES, Arches currently uses a timed entry system from April through October. This is a small fee in addition to your park entrance fee.
- If you’d like to hike Fiery Furnace, reserve a ranger-guided tour.
- It’s part of the Utah Mighty 5 National Parks, making it a great way to take a road trip through a few national parks!
Best Hikes with Kids in Arches National Park
We could see these incredible arches and sites in one full day! Try these out if you need an itinerary for one day in Arches National Park. Pack up some lunches so you can stay in the park and continue to see most of the arches. These hikes are perfect for kids as they are short and sweet but so rewarding.
The park has so many excellent arches, but don’t forget to notice all the other formations and beautiful surroundings. There is plenty to see from the petrified sand dunes, the La Sal mountains in the background, and the landscape and sandstone surrounding the roads as you drive.
Arches National Park is really fun for kids. There’s so much to see and do that they love. Because of its entertaining and kid-friendly nature, it even made the list of the Top ten National Parks for Kids.
Enjoy the perfect day of hiking in Arches National Park with kids using this guide to get the most out of your national park visit.
