You're planning your Arches National Park hike, eyes glued to Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. But there's a formation on the same trail that most people walk right past. Tunnel Arch isn't just another hole in the rock—it's a perfect, elongated window framing the desert sky, and missing it is the most common mistake hikers make on the Devils Garden Trail.

I've been hiking these trails for over a decade, guiding friends and watching visitors. Nine out of ten people are so focused on reaching the "big names" that they miss the subtle turnoff. This guide isn't just about what Tunnel Arch is; it's about why you should care, exactly how to find it without getting lost, and how to experience it without the crowds that swamp other parts of the park.

Your Quick Trail Guide

What Exactly Is Tunnel Arch (And What It Isn't)

Let's clear this up first. Despite the name, Tunnel Arch is not a tunnel you walk through. It's a spectacular fin arch—a thin, vertical slab of rock with a large, elongated opening eroded through its center. The opening is nearly 30 feet tall but only about 6 feet wide at its broadest, creating that "tunnel" illusion from the right angle.

It's formed in the famous Navajo Sandstone. The rock here is layered like a cake, and weaker layers erode faster, punching a hole through the fin. What's special about Tunnel Arch is its clean, almost geometric shape. Unlike the sprawling span of Landscape Arch, Tunnel Arch feels precise, like a deliberate window carved by the elements.

Local Insight: Most park maps and signs group Tunnel Arch with its neighbor, Pine Tree Arch. This leads many to think they're a pair you see together. They're not. They're separate, short spurs off the main trail. Treat them as two distinct, quick detours.

How to Find Tunnel Arch: A Step-by-Step Trail Guide

This is where people get tripped up. The Devils Garden Trailhead is at the very end of the park's main road. You'll see a massive parking lot (it fills by 8 AM).

The Critical Turn You Can't Miss

From the trailhead, you start on a wide, well-defined gravel path. You'll hike for about 0.3 miles. Keep an eye out for a large informational sign on your right, just before the trail starts to climb. Right next to this sign, look down. There's a clear but smaller sandy path branching off to the right. This is the turn for Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch. If you reach a fork where the main trail splits (one way going left towards Landscape Arch, the other right towards the primitive loop), you've gone about 50 yards too far.

Take that right-hand sandy path. In less than 2 minutes of walking, you'll see another split. The left fork goes to Pine Tree Arch. The right fork goes to Tunnel Arch. Head right. The trail winds through some junipers for another 3-4 minutes, and then it opens up. Tunnel Arch is framed ahead of you, across a small sandy wash.

Viewing and Photography Tips

The classic view is from the trail's end. For a more unique perspective, carefully scramble down into the sandy wash (watch your step) and look back up. This angle makes the arch look even more towering. Mid-morning light floods directly through the opening, which is stunning. But for softer, warmer tones, late afternoon is magic.

A common photography error? People stand too close with a wide-angle lens, which distorts the arch's elegant shape. Step back. Use a short telephoto (around 70mm) to compress the scene and capture its form cleanly against the sky.

When to Go: Timing Your Visit for Light and Solitude

Arches is a victim of its own beauty. Crowds are a real factor. Here’s the breakdown:

Time of DayProsConsVerdict
Sunrise (Pre-7 AM)Empty trails, magical soft light, best for photography, cool temperatures.Very early start, arch may be in shadow initially.Top choice for photographers and solitude seekers.
Morning (8-11 AM)Good light through the arch, still relatively cool.Parking lot fills up, main trail gets busy.Solid option if you can't do sunrise. The Tunnel Arch spur itself is usually quiet.
Afternoon (12-4 PM)Convenient for all-day itineraries.Hottest part of the day, harsh light, peak crowds.Least ideal. The light is overhead and flat.
Late Afternoon/Sunset (2 hours before sunset)Beautiful warm, sidelong light, crowds thinning as they head to Delicate Arch sunset.Still warm, longer shadows.Excellent second choice. The arch glows.

Seasonally, spring (March-May) and fall (September-October) are perfect. Summer is scorching—carry a minimum of 1 gallon of water per person just for this hike. Winter can be cold but incredibly peaceful, and snow on the red rock is unforgettable.

What Else to See Nearby: Devils Garden Trail Strategy

Tunnel Arch is just the appetizer. You're on the park's premier hiking trail. Here’s how to structure your visit efficiently:

The Must-Sees on the Same Trail:

  • Pine Tree Arch: The other spur from that same junction. A short, pretty arch you can walk under, often with dappled light. Takes 10 extra minutes.
  • Landscape Arch: A 25-minute walk further on the main trail from the Tunnel Arch turnoff. It's the longest arch in North America—a breathtaking, fragile ribbon of stone. Non-negotiable.
  • Partition Arch & Navajo Arch: Another 30-40 minutes past Landscape Arch on a more rugged section. These offer incredible framed views of the landscape.

My recommended half-day plan: Start early. See Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch first (total 30-40 min round trip from the main trail). Then continue to Landscape Arch. If you're feeling good, push on to Partition and Navajo. This gives you a fantastic sampler without committing to the full, strenuous primitive loop.

Planning Essentials: Fees, Permits, and Getting There

Let's get practical. You can't wing a trip to Arches anymore.

Critical Update: Arches National Park often requires a Timed Entry Ticket from April through October. You need to book this online at Recreation.gov months in advance for peak dates. This is separate from the park entrance fee. No ticket? You can only enter before 6 AM or after 4 PM.

Address & Route: The park is just north of Moab, Utah. From Moab, drive north on US-191 for about 5 miles, turn right at the clearly signed Arches National Park entrance. The Devils Garden Trailhead is at the end of the 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive. Allow 45 minutes from the entrance gate to the trailhead parking.

Fees: The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (valid 7 days). Consider the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass if visiting multiple national parks.

No permit is needed for the day hike to Tunnel Arch.

What to Bring: Water (more than you think), sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), sturdy hiking shoes (the sand and rock are abrasive), a map (cell service is unreliable), and snacks. A headlamp is wise if you're starting at sunrise.

Answers to Your Tunnel Arch Questions

Is the hike to Tunnel Arch suitable for young kids or beginners?
Absolutely, it's one of the most accessible sights in Devils Garden. The main trail to the turnoff is flat, wide, and hard-packed. The short spur to Tunnel Arch is sandy but with minimal elevation change. Round trip from the parking lot is under 1 mile with maybe 50 feet of total gain. It's a perfect first arch for families. Just keep kids from scrambling on the fragile sandstone slopes near the arch base.
How does Tunnel Arch compare to the more famous Double Arch or Delicate Arch?
They're different experiences. Double Arch (in the Windows Section) is massive, cavernous, and you stand directly underneath it. Delicate Arch is an iconic, solitary symbol you view from a distance after a strenuous hike. Tunnel Arch is more intimate and about the perfect form of the opening itself. It's less about grandeur and more about elegant geometry. You also get the benefit of seeing it with a fraction of the crowds.
I have limited time in Arches. Is Tunnel Arch worth prioritizing over other arches?
It depends on your itinerary. If you're doing the Devils Garden Trail anyway (for Landscape Arch), then Tunnel Arch is a 100% worthwhile, easy add-on. If you only have a few hours for the whole park and are driving to different sections, your time might be better spent at the Windows Section or Delicate Arch viewpoint. However, if you hate crowds and want a quiet, quick, satisfying arch experience, Tunnel Arch is a secret weapon.
What's the biggest mistake people make when visiting Tunnel Arch?
Two things. First, they miss the turnoff completely because they're not looking for it, focused only on the trail ahead. Second, they rush. They snap a photo from the trail end and leave. Take five minutes. Walk around (on durable surfaces). Sit on a rock. Watch the light change inside the opening. The value isn't just in seeing it; it's in the few minutes of quiet you can have there while everyone else is jostling at the more famous spots.