Physical / Mobility Accessibility

Trail Access data are featured on new trailhead signs across the park.

NPS/Verdin

Arches National Park has many areas that are accessible for people with physical or mobility concerns. The park scenic drive passes many notable arches and rock formations that are visible from the road. This page provides details on accessible activities and facilities.

 

 

Programs and Tours

Ranger Programs

Rangers offer programs spring through fall.

• Rangers present evening programs at Devils Garden Campground amphitheater. A paved sidewalk leads from the parking area to the amphitheater. Small red lights line the sidewalk. The ground surface at the amphitheater is gravel. Bench seating is available.
• Guided walks are offered at The Windows Section. The walk is up to 1 mile in length. The first 100 yards of the trail is barrier free. After the first 100 yards, the trail rises gently to a set of uneven stone steps that climb to three arches along the trail. Surfaces are rocky and uneven.

Fiery Furnace Hikes

Rangers lead hikes through the Fiery Furnace daily spring through fall. Reservations are required. These hikes are physically demanding and require walking and climbing on uneven surfaces, along narrow ledges above drop-offs, and in loose sand. There are gaps you must jump across and narrow places that you must squeeze into and pull yourself up and through. In some places, you must hold yourself off the ground by pushing against the sandstone walls with your hands and feet.

 

Campground

Devils Garden Campground

Campsites

Two sites at Devils Garden Campground are accessible for people with disabilites or limited physical mobility. The majority of the accessible sites are paved, making it easy to navigate with a wheelchair. The tent pad is dirt, but the rest of the area surrounding the picnic table, grill, and fire ring is paved. There is an accessible bathroom nearby.

• Site 4H is held for people with disabilities and is available first-come, first-served.
• Site 7 is available for reservation up to six months in advance.

Restrooms

All toilets at Devils Garden Campground are accessible.

Amphitheater

The amphitheater has a designated parking area. The sidewalk to the amphitheater is paved. The ground surface at the amphitheater is gravel. Benches are available.

Routes

There are no paths through the campground. Travel through the campground is via the paved road, which has steep slopes, speed bumps, and drainage ditches. Wheelchairs may require assistance navigating the campground road.

 

Visitor Centers

Arches Visitor Center

• Entrance: The front door operates on a push-button opener.
• Parking: Accessible parking is available.
• Restrooms, water fountains: All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.
• Seating: Benches are located inside the front of the visitor center and outdoors on the visitor center patio.
• Exhibits: Exhibits and the visitor center desk are structured to be accessible from a wheelchair.
• Routes: The approach to the visitor center is paved.

 

Trails and Facilities

All toilets in the park are accessible to wheelchairs. The picnic areas near Balanced Rock, Panorama Point, and Devils Garden have paved sections. Devils Garden Campground has two accessible sites and the amphitheater has a paved walkway.

Only a few trails have paved sections, while others are considered barrier free but may contain minor obstacles, steeper grades, or temporary washouts, and may require assistance. Rain and snow may cause ruts or other obstacles on trails.

 

Trail Access Details

The sections below display detailed accessibility information about each trail at Arches National Park. Distances listed are all roundtrip.

Please be aware that conditions may have changed since trails were last assessed. Temporary obstructions may include rockfall, gullies, or potholes in hardened sections of trail.

Courthouse Wash Rock Markings Panel Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 0.8 mi (1.4 km)
SURFACE: pavement, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps

TYPICAL GRADE: 5%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 22%
21% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 8 ft (2.5 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 3%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 14%
5% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Park Avenue Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 1.8 mi (3.2 km)
SURFACE: bedrock, sand
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps, ledges

TYPICAL GRADE: 5%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 52%
19% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 4 ft (1.2 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 5%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 29%
10% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Balanced Rock Trail

The first section of the Balanced Rock Trail is paved, with 6 ft (1.8m) minimum tread width, 7% maximum grade, and 3% maximum cross slope.

TRAIL LENGTH: 0.3 mi (0.4 km)
SURFACE: pavement, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps

TYPICAL GRADE: 4%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 23%
10% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 6 ft (1.8 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 32 in (81 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 3%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 17%
5% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

The Windows Trail

The Windows Trail is a one mile (1.6 km) loop, consisting of a main section and a primitive section described separately below.

Main Windows Trail

SURFACE: firm, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock stairs

TYPICAL GRADE: 6%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 38%
22% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 10 ft (3.1 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 5 ft (1.5 m)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 2%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 21%
1% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Windows Primitive Trail

SURFACE: firm, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps & ledges

TYPICAL GRADE: 7%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 79%
33% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 8 ft (2.5 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 7%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 46%
24% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Double Arch Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 0.6 mi (1 km)
SURFACE: hard, though sandy near end
OBSTRUCTIONS: none

TYPICAL GRADE: 5%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 14%
17% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 9 ft (2.7 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 7 ft (2.1 m)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 3%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 16%
3% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trails

The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint trail has a hard surface with no obstructions, 12 ft (3.7 m) minimum tread width, 8% grade or less, and maximum 5% cross slope.

The Upper Viewpoint Trail is more strenuous.
TRAIL LENGTH: 0.5 mi (0.8 km)
SURFACE: firm
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps & stairs

TYPICAL GRADE: 9%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 41%
45% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 9 ft (2.7 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 4 ft (1.2 m)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 4%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 20%
11% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Delicate Arch Trail

The first section of trail, leading to a historic cabin and pictograph panel, has a hard surface, less than 8% grade, 5 ft (1.5 m) trail width, and less than 10% cross slope.

Delicate Arch Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 3.2 mi (5.1 km)
SURFACE: hard, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: steep climb, rock steps, ledge with drop-off

TYPICAL GRADE: 9%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 80%
46% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 5 ft (1.5 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 6%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 41%
20% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Sand Dune Arch/Broken Arch Trail

This trail has options for starting location and length. From the park road, you can hike just to Sand Dune Arch and back, or make a loop through Broken Arch by walking through some of Devils Garden Campground. These options are described separately below.

Sand Dune Arch Trail (out-and-back)

TRAIL LENGTH: 0.4 mi (0.6 km)
SURFACE: bedrock, deep sand
OBSTRUCTIONS: boulder in narrow passage

TYPICAL GRADE: 5%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 50%
22% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 6 ft (1.8 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 19 in (48 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 4%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 11%
3% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Broken Arch Loop Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 1.4 mi (2.3 km)
SURFACE: sand, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock ledges, boulders, steps

TYPICAL GRADE: 7%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 99%
25% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 4.5 ft (1.4 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 22 in (56 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 4%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 73%
8% of the trail exceeds 10% slope  

Skyline Arch Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 0.4 mi (0.6 km)
SURFACE: bedrock, sand
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps

TYPICAL GRADE: 5%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 51%
18% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 6 ft (1.8 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 3%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 19%
4% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Devils Garden Trail

This trail system consists of sections with different conditions and challenges, which can be hiked sequentially adding up to 7.9 mi (12.7 km) total length. They are described separately below.

Landscape Arch Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
SURFACE: pavement, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps at end

TYPICAL GRADE: 6%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 30%
25% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 10 ft (3 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 7 ft (2.1 m)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 4%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 27%
7% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Landscape to Double O Arch

TRAIL LENGTH: 4.0 mi (6.4 km), including distance from trailhead to Landscape Arch
SURFACE: pavement, bedrock
OBSTRUCTIONS: steep climbs, rock steps & ledges, drop-offs

TYPICAL GRADE: 9%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 602%
36% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 6 ft (1.8 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 7%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 53%
21% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Primitive Loop Return Trail

SURFACE: pavement, deep sand
OBSTRUCTIONS: steep climbs, rock steps & ledges, deep sand

TYPICAL GRADE: 8%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 71%
40% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 4 ft (1.2 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 3 ft (91 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 6%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 52%
14% of the trail exceeds 10% slope

Tower Arch Trail

TRAIL LENGTH: 2.6 mi (4.2 km)
SURFACE: bedrock, deep sand
OBSTRUCTIONS: rock steps & ledges, sand hill

TYPICAL GRADE: 11%
MAXIMUM GRADE: 117%
50% of the trail exceeds 8% grade

TYPICAL TREAD WIDTH: 4 ft (1.2 m)
MINIMUM TREAD WIDTH: 20 in (51 cm)

TYPICAL CROSS SLOPE: 5%
MAXIMUM CROSS SLOPE: 37%
10% of the trail exceeds 10% slope