The Devils Garden Trail and Primitive Loop Trail combine to form the longest maintained hiking route in Arches National Park. Seven named arches and monolithic Dark Angel highlight the Devils Garden Trail, while the appropriately named Primitive Loop weaves by, through and over canyons, rock gardens, fins and washes. This highly imaginative landscape is notably less crowded, rugged and occasionally difficult to follow - ideal for adventure and solitude seekers comfortable in the remote desert backcountry.

Tunnel Arch, the closest arch to the Devils Garden Trailhead

On September 1, 1991, with park visitors bearing witness, a 60' long slab of rock weighing 180 tons broke off the bottom of the arch's right side - scattering debris everywhere. No one was injured.

Private Arch, hidden under a gigantic sandtone fin

Partition Arch, named for the 'partition' between its two separate arches

Pine Tree Arch is adjacent to Tunnel Arch

The 'Primitive' portion of the loop features varied terrain and challenging scrambles throughout

Freeze-thaw erosion occurs when water gets trapped in rock fractures and freezes and expands

A hiker explores the other-worldly sandstone fins of the Private Arch area

Precariously spanning 360' across, Landscape Arch is one of the park's most famous desintations

The Dark Angel area provides great views across Salt Valley of the Klondike Bluffs

The Primitive Loop Trail is a hiker's paradise, providing ample space for exploration and solitude

Wall Arch once the 12th largest arch in the park - This arch lost its battle with gravity and collapsed sometime between August 4th and August 5th, 2008

Mule deer can be found grazing in the early morning on the Devils Garden Trail

Navajo Arch is tucked away in a cool, shaded alcove

Water expands as it freezes, placing pressure on surrounding rock; soft rock - like sandstone - is particularly vulnerable

A hiker walking past twisted Juniper trees on the Devils Garden Trail

Nearing the end of the Devils Garden Trail, Double O Arch is the last arch before the Primitive Loop Trail begins

The bottom portion of Double O Arch

A healthy Juniper tree near Double O Arch - small quantities of Juniper berries are edible in emergency situations

The Devils Garden Campground is located near the trailhead, 18 miles from the park entrance station

Past Double O Arch - the trail leads to the Dark Angel, a massive 150' tall dark monolith at the trail's most northern point

The Primitive Loop Trail affords views of extemely interesting sandstone fin formations