Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail is a great introductory trail in Arches National Park to see the tallest arch in the park.
One of the highlights of The Windows in Arches National Park is walking up to and under the Double Arch. The path up to the arch is an easy trail with a gentle slope up towards the base of the arches.
Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail Basics
30 Minutes – 1 Hour
0.6 Miles Round Trip
Out-And-Back
30 Feet
Duration: Under 1 Hour
This is an easy trail and will take about 30 minutes to one hour, depending on how long you want to take once you reach the arch. It is possible to scramble up the rocks at the end of the trail to get underneath the arches. If you do that, it will add time to this trail.
Distance: 0.6 Miles Roundtrip
The walk up to the base of the arches is a short pathway at just over ½ mile total distance. You can see a little bit of the arch from the parking lot but it’s best to go up the path to see the full arch.
Type: Out-and-Back Trail
Double Arch Trail is a pathway that goes from the parking lot to the arches and back to the parking area.
Elevation Change: 30 Feet
The trail slopes gently upwards as you ascend to the base of the arches.
Season: Any
Double Arch can be reached at any time of the year. It’s best to avoid the summer months of June, July, and August, though, as the extreme heat makes the park dangerous to those who aren’t prepared.
Time of Day: Any
While you can visit this area any time of the day, it’s best to go in the early morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat of the day. You’ll also have better lighting for photos at those times.
Amount of Shade: Minimal
The only shade on the trail is close to the arch. As you get near the end of the trail, you’ll be in the shadows of the arches and their cliffs.
Difficulty: Easy
Double Arch Trail is considered an easy walk. The pathway is mostly packed gravel with very minimal elevation change. The hardest part of this trail is dealing with the heat if it’s the summer months.
What Makes Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail a Great Hike?
Double Arch is the tallest arch at a height of 112 feet and the second longest at 144 feet in the park. The main trail is a short hike and easy to navigate, taking you to one of the park’s most iconic formations.
The Double Arch is also one of the easiest arches to get up and close to in the park. Some of the other famous arches are harder to get to. Landscape Arch is a 1.8-mile trail, Delicate Arch trail is 3 miles, and to get to Tower Arch Trail you have to go a few miles down a gravel road to reach the trailhead.
The arches were formed from years and years of erosion. They started as sandstone fins from the rock walls that eroded over time to form the arch rock formation the park is known for.
Scenery on the Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail
Start of the Trail
From the start of the trail, you can see a little bit of the first arch as well as the cliffs of red rock on either side of it.
On the Trail
As you near the arch, more of it will come into view along with the other geological features on the cliff faces in the area.
End of the Trail
Reaching the end of the short trail brings you to the park’s most iconic natural formation. The Double Arch will be above you and you can scramble on the rocks to get a closer view. Just remember, it’s always easier to get up than it is to get back down so make sure to assess your skill level before climbing.
Double Arch Trailhead Information
Park Name: Arches National Park
Arches National Park is home to many short trails that lead to arches and other geological features, including the Double Arch.
Finding the Trailhead
Once you enter the park, drive on the main road until it forks, then stay to the right. This is about 9 miles from the visitor center along the Arches scenic drive. Drive another 3 miles until you reach the Windows Parking Area at the end of the road. The parking loop is a one-way road. The closest parking to the Double Arch Trailhead is on the north side of the lot. When you go through the parking loop, it will be the second large parking lot.
Markers Along the Trail
The trail is a well-defined gravel path with large rocks along the side to mark the trail.
Parking Area: Double Arch Parking Area
Follow the path to the parking area for Double Arch and Windows. They are in the same large parking loop and you can reach either trail from the parking lot. Double Arch is in the Windows section of the park.
Nearest Restrooms: Trailhead
There is a set of vault toilets in the middle of the parking loop near the trailhead.
Other Trails at this Trailhead
There are two main parking lots in the parking area. The one on the north side has the parking for Double Arch Trail. The parking lot on the south side is parking for the Windows Trails which leads to the following trails:
- Windows Trail
- Windows Sand Loop Trail (primitive trail)
- North Windows Trail
- Turret Arch
- North Window
- South Window
- Elephant Butte
- Parade of Elephants
- Garden of Eden
Tips for Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail
- Try to go when the heat isn’t too extreme and make sure to drink plenty of water, even on a a short trail like this.
- Go to the other trails in the parking lot for a longer walk and more views of the arches in The Windows.
- This is a popular hike and the parking lots aren’t very big so consider getting there early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid peak visitation during the day.
- Scrambling is not required to be able to enjoy the beauty of the Double Arch fully.
Accessibility Information for Double Arch Viewpoint and Trail
Packed Gravel
Paved
Trail Type: Packed Gravel
Although the path is considered a gravel path, it is very tightly packed and should be accessible for those in a wheelchair or pushing a stroller. The path is relatively flat but may require a bit of assistance on some of the inclines.
Parking: Paved
Handicap parking is available at the paved parking lot in the trailhead area. The lots are small and fill up quickly, though, so make sure to get there early.