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- Things to Do Around Arches National Park
- Things to Do Near Balanced Rock
- Even more lists
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- Ask Arches National Park Locals
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1. Fiery Furnace
- Exciting labyrinth of sandstone. Permit required. Best for over 5 years of age.
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- Hiking
- In the park
- Nile Expert Tip: Up close and personal with the geologic wonders that comprise Arches.
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2. Klondike Bluffs
- Mysterious and secluded bluffs in Arches
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- Hiking
- In the park
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3. Tower Arch
- 2.4 mile hike - remote. Check road conditions first.
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- Hiking
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4. Devils Garden Primitive Loop Hike
- 5-mile strenuous loop through and around Devils Garden area. Features 8 arches
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- Hiking
- In the park
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5. Windows area primitive loop hike
- A pleasant hike around and through the Windows area
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- Hiking
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6. Turret Arch
- A short hike to a lovely arch with great views
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- Hiking
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7. Double O Arch
- 4.2 mile hike. Many small elevation changes, rocky, heights.
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- Hiking
- In the park
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8. Tapestry Arch
- Lovely arch that has few visitors
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- Hiking
- In the park
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9. Private Arch
- Aptly named arch that few visit
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- Hiking
- In the park
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10. Hovenweep National Monument
- Puebloan-era villages in a remote location
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- Landmarks
- Outside the park
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The Best of NileGuide
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Seek out the off-the-beaten-path side of Arches, and you'll be amply rewarded. The unusual, the unexpected, and the unforgettable activities and views that not as many experience are what make memories for a lifetime. These are some of our favorite off the beaten path things to do in Arches.
The Fiery Furnace sounds much more daunting than it is. Take the ranger-led hike for an up-close experience of Arches. You'll scramble, rock hop, and even learn some very basic canyoneering techniques for navigating this astounding landscape. Klondike Bluffs and Tower Arch are off the beaten path for sure, although they're not horribly hard to reach. You might even have their trails to yourself.
The Devils Garden Primitive Loop is long and remote enough to turn back hikers looking for a mere stroll. If you want a full day of exploring some backcountry arches, this is the hike for you. Along the way, stop at Double O Arch for a truly unique view of two arches that sprang up practically together; Tapestry Arch for a view that most people will not see; Private Arch for a, well, mostly private viewing.
Dark Angel really does look like a deeply thoughtful, even brooding rock sculpture of an angel. A bit longer to reach, this sandstone monolith certainly qualifies as off the beaten path in this highly visited park. And The Windows area, including Turret Arch, is undervisited yet no less striking than most parts of Arches.
