The Secret Hiking Trails In Arches National Park That Most Tourists Miss

Instantly recognizable for the gravity-defying sandstone arches that give the park its name, Arches National Park, just outside Moab, Utah, is one of the most popular national parks in North America. More than 1.5 million visitors went in 2025 to marvel at the giant rock formations and explore the trails that wind amongst them. With so many people, it's sometimes difficult to find a space of your own, even in such a large area, as visitors flock to see famous sites such as Landscape Arch and Balanced Rock. But in a park that has more than 2,000 arches within its boundaries, there are still a few hidden hikes and lesser-trodden trails waiting to be discovered. If you're prepared to leave the trodden tourist paths and head out to lesser-known routes like the Tower Arch Trail, Primitive Trail, Fiery Furnace Trail, and Ribbon Arch Trail, you'll be rewarded with space and solitude.

Most tourists miss these more remote trails because a) they don't want to walk for miles in the sweltering heat, and b) they're more interested in seeing the park's main attractions. With a few small adjustments to your itinerary, like seeking quieter trails and arriving early, you can avoid overflowing parking lots and dodge the scorching midday sun, which can be fierce in this desert landscape, often reaching highs of around 100°F in summer. Here are four secret hiking trails at Arches National Park to check out to avoid the crowds.

Arches National Park covers an area of over 76,600 acres. It has one main public entrance that leads directly onto the park's only paved road, Arches Scenic Drive. Nearly all of the popular landmarks and trailheads lead off this road, but a few spur roads take you to more secluded areas. One of these is the 8-mile, unpaved Salt Valley Road, which leads to Tower Arch at the quieter far northwestern reaches of the park. The drive takes around 45 minutes, after which you'll find spaces for a few cars and access to the 2.6-mile Tower Arch Trail.

It's a strenuous hike which crosses slickrock, passes through a sandy valley, over sand dunes, and climbs up a steep rock wall before arriving at one of the park's biggest arches. Most people don't make it to these farthest reaches of the park, but the hike is worth the effort for the fantastic views over the Klondike Bluffs and the line of tall sandstone pillars known as the Marching Men you pass along the way. One hiker on AllTrails called it "A hidden gem of a hike. Only 3 cars in lot when we arrived at 9:30." It's important to stick to the designated trail here, as well as in the rest of the park, to avoid causing damage to the cryptobiotic soil that protects the fragile desert floor.

It stands to reason that some of the more overlooked hiking trails are sometimes the most difficult. Many people tend to stick to the shorter walks leading to the more popular landmarks instead. One challenging but quiet route is the 2.1-mile Primitive Trail. Situated in the north of the park past the Devil's Garden Campground, it's the most difficult section of the popular Devil's Garden Loop Trail. 

It involves scrambling along steep slopes, tackling narrow drop-offs, and crossing a pool and is best suited for those who have a head for heights. From this trail you can choose to take several spur trails, such as the Private Arch Trail, a quieter alternative to Landscape Arch, or Dark Angel, which leads off from Double O Arch to a 150-foot monolith. While there will be fewer crowds on this part of the trail, with many visitors turning back after seeing the major arches, the biggest problem will be finding somewhere to park in the Windows parking area at the end of Arches Scenic Drive. The national park is open 24/7, so plan to arrive early, and it will be easier to secure a spot.

The Fiery Furnace Trail is a little different to all the other trails in the park because you need a permit to hike it. There's also a real possibility that you'll get lost while navigating your way through the maze of narrow passages and dead ends. This bizarre, one-of-a-kind hike is a maze of red rocks and one of the more memorable routes within the park walls. Located in the middle of the park, not far from the incredible Delicate Arch, you should be able to explore this unique trail without seeing too many people if you time it right. One hiker commented on AllTrails, "We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery and the solitude, which can be hard to find in Arches."

Even though it's only 2.2 miles long, be prepared to cover quite a bit more ground as you inevitably miss the small white marker arrows and your sense of direction lets you down. It also leads to some other lesser-known arches that many visitors don't bother to see, such as the delightfully named Kissing Turtle Arch, Surprise Arch, and the Pit of Possible Return. As you'll spend a lot of the time scrambling over rocks, sturdy shoes are a must, and some visitors find that trekking poles help. Self-guided Fiery Furnace Exploration permits cost $10 and need to be reserved in advance on the National Park Service (NPS) website.

Ribbon Arch Trail is a hike that not many people know about, as it isn't an established trail. Located in the Windows area on the east side of one of the most photogenic national parks in North America, this is a great secret hike if you have a decent sense of direction. You start off by following the Primitive Trail, and if you manage to find your way, you'll be rewarded with some lovely views of Christmas Tree Arch and the surrounding landscape. 

"Really cool little hike. Exactly one set of footprints out there today. Mine. Super fun and quiet," said one hiker on AllTrails. Bear in mind that park rangers carry out several search-and-rescue missions each year, primarily due to the heat, injury, or visitors getting lost. If you want to avoid it happening to you, make sure you take ample water, sunscreen and a hat, stick to the designated trails wherever possible, or download the map, if necessary.