Let's cut to the chase. You're looking at Arches National Park's insane list of hikes and wondering where to start. Delicate Arch is iconic but crowded. The Windows Section is great, but maybe you want something that feels a bit more... discovered. That's where the Tunnel Arch hike comes in. It's short, it's shockingly easy, and it delivers two fantastic rock formations with minimal effort. But here's the thing most guides don't tell you: its simplicity is both its greatest strength and its biggest pitfall. I've done this trail more times than I can count, often with first-timers in tow, and I've seen the same mistakes repeated. This guide isn't just about the facts; it's about how to experience this little trail the right way.
What's in This Guide?
The Nuts and Bolts: Trail Data & Logistics
Before you lace up your boots, here's everything you need to know in one spot. This is the practical info that'll save you a headache at the park entrance.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Trail Name | Tunnel Arch Trail (part of the Devils Garden area) |
| Location | Arches National Park, Utah. Trailhead is in the Devils Garden parking lot at the very end of the park's main road. |
| Round-Trip Distance | Approximately 0.8 miles (1.3 km) |
| Estimated Hiking Time | 30 to 45 minutes at a leisurely pace, including photos. |
| Elevation Gain | Negligible. Mostly flat, packed dirt and sand. |
| Trail Difficulty | Easy. Suitable for almost all ages and fitness levels. |
| Park Entrance Fee | $30 per private vehicle (valid for 7 days). Consider the America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) if visiting multiple national parks. |
| Park Operating Hours | The park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Devils Garden area is accessible anytime, but the entrance station has specific hours. |
| Best Time of Day | Early morning (sunrise) or late afternoon (for sunset light on the fins). |
| Restrooms | Flush toilets and water fill stations are available at the Devils Garden trailhead parking lot. |
My Take: The official "easy" rating is accurate, but it leads to a common mistake. People treat it like a sidewalk stroll and show up in flip-flops. The surface is sandy and can be uneven. A pair of closed-toe shoes with decent grip will make it infinitely more comfortable and safe, especially if you wander off the main path a bit for photos.
How to Actually Find the Tunnel Arch Trailhead (It's Trickier Than You Think)
This is the first point of confusion. You won't see a big sign saying "Tunnel Arch This Way." The trailhead for Tunnel Arch is the same as for the massively popular Devils Garden Primitive Loop, which leads to Landscape Arch and beyond.
Here's exactly what to do: Drive all the way to the end of the Arches National Park Scenic Drive. Park in the large Devils Garden parking lot. This lot fills up fast, often by 8 AM. If it's full, you'll have to wait for a spot or come back later—no parking on the roadside is allowed.
Walk to the obvious, large trailhead kiosk. You'll see the main wide path heading north. About 100 yards in, you'll come to a fork. This is where people mess up.
- Left fork (well-trodden path): Leads to Landscape Arch, the main attraction. Almost everyone goes this way.
- Right fork (sandy, smaller path): This is the one you want. It's marked, but the sign is low to the ground and easy to miss if you're following the crowd. Look for a small wooden post indicating "Tunnel Arch" and "Pine Tree Arch." Take this right-hand path.
Within another 2-3 minutes of walking, you'll reach another split. Go right again for Tunnel Arch. Left goes to Pine Tree Arch. You can't get lost if you follow these two right turns.
What to Expect on the Tunnel Arch Trail: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough
The hike itself is a straightforward amble through a sandy wash, flanked by towering sandstone fins. It feels secluded almost immediately, which is a nice break from the bustle of the main Devils Garden trail.
The First Arch: Pine Tree Arch
Okay, I'm bending the "Tunnel Arch" theme here, but you'd be crazy to skip it. The left fork at the second junction leads to Pine Tree Arch in under 5 minutes. It's a perfect, symmetrical window framed by, you guessed it, a pine tree. The light inside the alcove is soft and beautiful in the morning. Spend 10 minutes here. It's worth it.
The Main Event: Tunnel Arch
Back on the path to Tunnel Arch, you'll round a corner, and there it is. It's not a delicate, freestanding arch. Tunnel Arch is a robust, tunnel-like hole punched straight through the tip of a massive fin. It looks strong, ancient, and immovable.
Photography tip everyone misses: The classic shot is from the main viewing area. Fine. But walk a bit further down the trail, past the arch. Look back. You get a fantastic profile view of the entire fin with the tunnel neatly carved through its top. It gives a much better sense of scale and geology.
The trail officially ends at a viewpoint. There's no maintained path to go under or through Tunnel Arch, and climbing on the arch is strictly prohibited (and dangerous).
When to Go: Beating the Heat and the Crowds
Timing is everything in Arches.
Season: Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) are ideal. Summers are brutally hot, often exceeding 100°F (38°C). If you go in summer, you must hike at sunrise. Winter can be cold and icy, but it's stunning and empty.
Time of Day: For the Tunnel Arch hike, aim to be at the Devils Garden trailhead within 30 minutes of sunrise. Not only will you get a parking spot, but the low-angle light will set the red rock fins on fire with color. The temperature is perfect. You'll share the trail with a handful of other early birds instead of a parade.
Late afternoon, around 2-3 hours before sunset, is the second-best window. The light becomes golden again, and some of the midday crowds have thinned.
Avoid midday like the plague. The light is harsh for photos, the heat is draining, and the parking situation is a nightmare.
Pro Tips for Planning Your Hike
This is where my decade of dragging friends through this park pays off.
- Reservations are Non-Negotiable (April-October): Arches requires a timed entry ticket from April 1 through October 31. You book these online months in advance. No ticket, no entry (unless you enter before 6 AM or after 4 PM). Plan this first.
- Combine It: The Tunnel Arch hike is too short to be your only activity at Devils Garden. Pair it with the hike to Landscape Arch (another 1.6 miles round-trip from the same fork). That makes for a perfect 2.5-mile morning that showcases two very different arch styles.
- Pack Like a Pro, Even for a Short Hike: Water. More than you think. A liter per person minimum, even for this easy trail. Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses. Those sandstone fins offer zero shade. A snack. I always throw a granola bar in my pocket.
- Navigation: You don't need GPS for this specific trail, but download the official National Park Service map or use a service like Gaia GPS before you go. Cell service is spotty to non-existent in the park.
The Crowd Conundrum: Because it's easy, Tunnel Arch gets busy. My secret? If the small spur trail to Tunnel Arch looks crowded, go see Pine Tree Arch first. Often, 90% of the people cluster at Tunnel Arch, and Pine Tree will be quiet. Then loop back. It's a simple trick that vastly improves the experience.
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