Tunnel Arch in Arches National Park is one of those places that makes you stop and just look. It's not the biggest or the most famous arch in the park—that crown belongs to Delicate Arch—but it has a quiet, elegant mystery to it. Nestled in the Devils Garden area, it's often passed by visitors rushing to see the longer trail's headline acts. That's their loss. If you understand what you're looking at and how to see it, Tunnel Arch offers a uniquely satisfying experience with a fraction of the crowd.

I've been hiking in Arches for over a decade, guiding friends and making my own discoveries. The first time I saw Tunnel Arch, I'll admit I was a little confused. Where was the tunnel? It looked more like a slender window cut into a rock fin. It took a few visits, at different times of day, to really get it. That moment of understanding is what I want to share with you.

What's Inside This Guide

What Exactly is Tunnel Arch?

Let's clear this up right away. Tunnel Arch is not a tunnel you walk through, like the ones carved through mountains for roads. The name comes from its shape. It's a spectacular, elongated opening punched through a thin, vertical fin of Navajo Sandstone. When you stand directly in front of it from the main viewing area on the trail, the opening appears as a deep, tube-like portal framing the blue sky or the desert landscape beyond—hence, the "tunnel" effect.

This formation is a brilliant example of how water and time sculpt this landscape. Weaknesses in the rock, often along vertical joints, get exploited by seeping water, freeze-thaw cycles, and wind. Eventually, a hole forms and enlarges. In Tunnel Arch's case, the erosion created this long, narrow window rather than a rounded porthole.

Geologically, it's a sibling to the nearby Pine Tree Arch, and they share a trailhead. But their personalities are different. Pine Tree Arch feels more intimate, almost cozy. Tunnel Arch feels architectural, like a piece of ancient roman aqueduct left standing in the desert.

A Quick Comparison: Tunnel Arch vs. Its Neighbors

To help you set expectations, here’s how Tunnel Arch stacks up against two other popular, accessible arches in the same area.

Arch NameTrail Length (RT)Key FeatureCrowd LevelBest For
Tunnel Arch~0.8 milesElongated "tunnel" shape, photogenic lightLow to ModerateQuick, scenic payoff, photography
Pine Tree Arch~0.8 milesWider opening, often shaded, named for a pinyon pineLow to ModerateA quieter, shaded rest spot
Landscape Arch~1.6 milesWorld's longest natural span (290 ft)HighSeeing a record-holder, awe-inspiring scale

How to Hike the Tunnel Arch Trail Successfully

The trail to Tunnel Arch is straightforward, but a few details make the journey much better. The trailhead is in the Devils Garden area at the very end of the park's main road. Parking here is competitive, especially between 9 AM and 4 PM. I've circled the lot like a vulture more times than I care to admit. If the main lot is full, use the overflow parking along the road's entrance—it adds only a minute of walking.

From the trailhead, you'll see the clear path heading north towards Landscape Arch. Almost immediately, a well-signed spur trail forks off to the right. This is your path to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. The trail is a mix of compacted sand and slickrock. It's mostly flat with a few gentle rolls. The sand can be soft, so wearing shoes with good traction (not flip-flops) matters more than you think.

You'll reach a signed junction. Left goes to Pine Tree Arch, right goes to Tunnel Arch. Take the right fork. In about 5 more minutes of walking, the fin containing Tunnel Arch comes into view. The official viewing area is a sandy clearing directly in front of it. This is the classic shot.

But here's a tip most people miss: walk a bit past the clearing, following the social trail that curves to the right (north). You'll get a stunning profile view of the arch with the massive fins of the Devils Garden in the background. It's a completely different perspective and often completely empty.

What to Bring on This Hike

Even for a short hike, the desert demands respect.

  • Water: At least one liter per person. I carry two in summer, even for this short walk. There is none on the trail.
  • Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen (SPF 30+). The trail offers zero shade.
  • Footwear: Closed-toe hiking shoes or trail runners. The sand gets hot and can blister feet in sandals.
  • Navigation: The trail is clear, but having a park map or offline maps app (like Maps.me) is wise.
  • Optional but Recommended: A small backpack, a camera, and a light windbreaker (afternoons can get breezy).

Planning Your Visit: Tickets, Timing & Logistics

Visiting Arches isn't as simple as just showing up anymore. Timed entry reservations are required from April through October. You need to book these online at Recreation.gov well in advance, especially for morning slots. Your park entrance fee or pass is separate and also required.

Tunnel Arch Trip at a Glance

Location: Devils Garden Trailhead, Arches National Park, Utah. GPS roughly 38.7830° N, 109.5992° W.
Park Entrance Fee: $30 per private vehicle (valid 7 days). Consider the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass if visiting multiple parks.
Timed Entry Reservation (Apr-Oct): Required and separate from entrance fee. Book early.
Nearest Services: Water, restrooms, and a small bookstore are at the Devils Garden Trailhead. The main visitor center with full services is at the park entrance.
Cell Service: Spotty to nonexistent in Devils Garden. Download maps and info beforehand.

Best Time of Day and Year to Visit

Time of Day: For photography, mid-morning (around 9:30 AM to 11 AM) is magic. The sun is high enough to light up the interior of the "tunnel," making it glow. Late afternoon provides beautiful side-lighting and long shadows. Midday light is harsh and flat, washing out the arch's details.

Time of Year: Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) offer the most pleasant temperatures. Summer (June-August) is brutally hot—hike at sunrise if you go then. Winter can be cold and icy, but the crowds are gone, and snow-dusted red rock is unforgettable. Check the National Park Service website for current conditions.

Building Your Moab Itinerary

Seeing Tunnel Arch doesn't take long. Here’s how to build a day around it:

The Efficient Half-Day: Enter the park with a morning timed entry. Drive straight to Devils Garden. Hike to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch (~1 hour). Drive back and do the Windows Loop (1 hour). Exit the park and have lunch in Moab.

The Full Arches Day: Morning: Devils Garden (Tunnel, Pine Tree, and Landscape Arches). Afternoon: Park Avenue Viewpoint, Balanced Rock, and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint (the lower one if you don't want to hike). Sunset at the Windows Section.

The Multi-Park Adventure: Day 1: Arches (including Tunnel Arch). Day 2: Canyonlands National Park (Island in the Sky district). This is a classic combo.

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

After watching countless visitors, I've seen the same errors repeated. Don't be one of them.

1. Underestimating the Desert. The biggest mistake is treating this as a casual walk. People show up with a 12-ounce bottle of water in July. They wear black clothing. They get dehydrated, sunburned, or exhausted before they even reach the arch. Respect the environment. Carry more water than you think you need, wear a hat, and take breaks.

2. Rushing. Many people hike to the viewing area, snap a quick photo from the obvious spot, and leave. They miss the profile view. They don't take a moment to sit and appreciate the quiet. Budget at least 45 minutes to an hour for this short hike. Give yourself time to explore and absorb.

3. Poor Timing. Arriving at the trailhead at noon in peak season means fighting for parking and hiking in the worst heat and light. Aim to be at the trailhead by 8 AM or after 4 PM. You'll have a better chance at parking, milder temperatures, and superior light for photos.

4. Expecting a "Tunnel." Some visitors are genuinely disappointed because they expected to walk through a long, dark passage. Remember, it's a visual tunnel. Setting the right expectation—that you're seeing a magnificent, thin arch—prevents letdown.

5. Not Combining with Pine Tree Arch. Since they share the same short spur trail, it's a huge missed opportunity not to see both. They are only a few hundred feet apart at the junction. See Tunnel Arch first, then loop back and take the left fork to Pine Tree. The whole detour adds maybe 15 extra minutes.

Your Tunnel Arch Questions Answered

Is Tunnel Arch actually a tunnel you can walk through?
No, and this is a common point of confusion. Tunnel Arch is a freestanding, window-like arch formed in a thin fin of sandstone. The "tunnel" refers to the elongated, tube-like shape of the opening when viewed from the correct angle on the trail, not a passage you can physically enter. Walking through it would be impossible and dangerous, as it's high off the ground on a fragile fin.
How difficult is the Tunnel Arch Trail compared to other hikes in Arches?
It's one of the easier, family-friendly trails in the park. The hike is short (about 0.8 miles roundtrip) with minimal elevation gain on a well-defined, sandy path. However, it lacks shade and can be very hot. It's significantly easier than the strenuous Devils Garden Primitive Loop but offers a similar payoff in scenic beauty with far fewer people. Most people in average fitness can complete it without issue—the challenge comes from the desert heat, not the terrain.
What's the single best tip for photographing Tunnel Arch?
Timing is everything, but not necessarily for golden hour. Mid-morning light, when the sun is high enough to illuminate the deep "tunnel" of the arch from the front, creates the most dramatic effect. Late afternoon shots from the side can silhouette the arch beautifully against the sky. Avoid midday when the light is flat and the defining shadows are gone. And don't just shoot from the main clearing—walk around for that killer profile shot.
Can I combine a visit to Tunnel Arch with seeing Landscape Arch?
Absolutely, and you should. Both arches share the same trailhead in the Devils Garden area. The path to Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch branches off to the right almost immediately. You can easily do this short detour (adding ~20-30 minutes) before or after hiking the main trail to the massive Landscape Arch, making for an efficient and rewarding outing. I usually recommend doing the Tunnel/Pine Tree spur first to avoid the main trail crowds, then continuing on to Landscape.

Tunnel Arch is a testament to the quiet beauty of Arches National Park. It doesn't shout for attention like Delicate Arch, but it rewards those who seek it out with a moment of perfect desert geometry. With the right preparation—water, sun protection, good timing, and managed expectations—your visit will be more than just a check on a list. It'll be a memorable highlight of your Moab adventure. Now get out there and see it for yourself.