Devils Garden & Primitive Trail Loop – The Ultimate Arches Adventure

If you’re planning a trip to Arches National Park and want one of the most adventurous and awe-filled hikes in the entire park, the Devils Garden & Primitive Trail Loop is a must. For years, this was our #1 hike in Arches—until we discovered Fiery Furnace. Now, Devil’s Garden proudly holds second place for us, but only by a sliver.

If you enjoy scrambling, climbing over slickrock, following cairns across open sandstone, and hiking to natural arches you can’t see from the main path, this is your trail. If you don’t love heights or rough footing… well… consider something tamer. But if you crave adventure? Devil’s Garden and Primitive Trail Loop will not disappoint.

We’ve completed this loop twice now: the first time going clockwise and the second time counterclockwise. We both agreed that counterclockwise is the way to go.

On this loop alone you can visit:

• Landscape Arch
• Partition Arch
• Navajo Arch
• Double O Arch
• Black Arch Overlook
• Private Arch

Most of these requires a short spur trail—none of which you should skip. We hiked them all, and honestly, they’re the soul of the experience.

Why We Recommend Hiking Counterclockwise

You can hike this loop either way but counterclockwise has some big benefits.

1. The scenery opens up more dramatically.

Standing at the trailhead sign, you can see Landscape Arch off to your left. We walked the short distance to see it first, then returned to the sign. From there, we followed the sandy path to the right, which begins the counterclockwise direction. This approach gives you sweeping, wide-open views right from the start.

2. The Primitive Trail feels more natural in this direction.

In our experience, hiking counterclockwise felt less crowded since most people go clockwise and many turn around at Double O Arch instead of taking the Primitive Trail back. Heading counterclockwise made the Primitive section feel easier to follow, and the panoramic views of fins, ridgelines, and rock formations unfolded beautifully along the way.

3. Beware: the water obstacle is trickier than it looks.

The water-filled pothole along the Primitive Trail is one of the most challenging spots on the entire loop. There’s no easy way around it. We’ve navigated it from both directions, and while we managed to stay dry each time, it was noticeably easier to bypass when hiking counterclockwise.

⚠️ Primitive Trail Water Crossing

One tricky obstacle along the Primitive Trail is a deep water-filled pothole that the trailhead sign warns about: “Crossing here may be impossible without getting wet.”

Depending on recent weather, you may need to scramble around the pool on slickrock or wade through it. If the water is high, expect wet shoes—or prepare to turn around.

If you’re on the fence, go counterclockwise. You’ll thank yourself.

Our Experience on the Devils Garden Trail

We began the loop by heading right onto the Primitive Trail, which immediately felt quieter and more remote than the main Devils Garden path. Within minutes, sandstone fins rose around us like a maze, and we reached our first feature—Top Story Window. This spot is also where the Devils Garden Trail and Primitive Trail intersect, and it’s the point where most hikers coming from the clockwise direction turn around rather than continuing onto the Primitive section. Standing here, the crowds disappear and the adventure of seeking out arches begins.

Private Arch felt tucked away from the world — a quiet pocket carved into the sandstone where we had the entire place to ourselves. For both of us, it was one of the most peaceful stops of the day and a perfect early reward for choosing the counterclockwise route.

The Highlights of Devils Garden Trail

Continuing south on the Devils Garden Trail, the route climbed over slickrock and narrow fins until we reached the farthest point on the loop: Dark Angel. This towering sandstone monolith stands alone at the northern end of Devils Garden. It’s a worthwhile detour if you want to see every feature on the loop, but if you’re short on time or managing mileage, Dark Angel is one stop you can skip without missing the core experience.

From here, the trail returns back toward the heart of Devils Garden and climbs up to the star of the hike: Double O Arch. Even on our second visit, this one stopped us in our tracks. Two perfectly stacked openings carved through a sandstone fin—it looks prehistoric and delicate all at once. The overlook above Double O is optional, but if you’re comfortable scrambling, the elevated view is worth every step.

Somewhere between Double O and Navajo Arch is Black Arch Overlook—a viewpoint we unfortunately missed, but one we plan to catch next time. If you’re hiking this route, keep an eye out for the short side trail; the canyon views are supposed to be spectacular.

Continuing counterclockwise, another spur trail leads into a shaded sandstone alcove to Navajo Arch—one of the most surprising arches on the loop. After so much open desert and slickrock, the cool, quiet space beneath Navajo feels like stepping into a beautiful natural cathedral.

Returning back towards the trail is the next spur leading to Partition Arch, another must-see arch. Partition is famous for the giant window it creates, framing the La Sal Mountains in the distance. The viewpoint here is one of our favorites in the entire park.

The final leg of the main trail loop gently descends toward Landscape Arch and approaching it from the backside is a different experience than the typical out-and-back route. Landscape Arch—thin, impossibly long, and seemingly fragile is best seen once the crowds thin out. It’s a beautiful bookend to the journey before returning to the trailhead.

Who This Hike Is For

✔ love scrambles and sandstone
✔ want solitude on the back half of the loop
✔ want to see the most arches in the park
✔ have good balance and fitness
✔ enjoy mild exposure and hands-on hiking

Avoid the primitive loop if:

✘ you have mobility issues
✘ you’re uncomfortable with heights
✘ you struggle with route-finding
✘ you’re hiking after recent rain (slickrock becomes very slick)

Trail Tips

🥾 Start early for cooler temps and emptier arches.
💧 Carry more water than you think you need—exposure is real.
🧭 Download the AllTrails map before you go.
🌞 Midday sun hits the sandstone hard—fall and spring are ideal.
📸 Best photo light: early morning for Landscape Arch, late afternoon for Double O.
🚽 No bathrooms beyond the trailhead—plan accordingly.

Why This Loop Still Stands Out

Even after hiking Fiery Furnace (our new #1 in Arches), Devil’s Garden & Primitive Trail Loop remains one of the most complete and satisfying trails in Utah. It has everything—arches, views, adventure, solitude, and just enough challenge to make it a proper day of exploration.

If you’re visiting Arches for the first time, this is a hike we think every capable hiker should do.

And next week, we’ll be hiking a very different Devil’s Garden—this time in Escalante, which has its own magic entirely. But the Arches version? It’s iconic.

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