Forget Delicate Arch, Arches National Park's Family-Friendly Hiking Trail Has Fewer Crowds And Scenic Views

Everywhere you look around Arches National Park, the desert seems to have sculpted another wonder in the sandstone. Delicate Arch may be the park's celebrity formation, but celebrity comes with a cost — particularly at sunset, when the National Park Service (NPS) says hundreds of visitors can gather around the arch, potentially dampening some of its otherworldly appeal. However, the park contains some 2,000 natural arches in southeastern Utah, the state with the most natural arches, and the Windows Section alone holds a cluster of some stunning examples. The Windows Trail, often called the Windows Loop Trail, lets you see several of these formations on a roughly 1-mile hike, making it an attractive alternative for travelers who want to relish in the park's signature sandstone scenery without vying for views around the heavily trafficked Delicate Arch.

The Windows Loop Trail isn't exactly an obscure trail, but it is a spot where guests are more spread out. As some previous visitors have noted, that's partly due to its wide space and partly to the additional "primitive" trail section that fewer tread. Of the latter section, hiking blogger Fat Man Little Trail affirms, "It does get crowded but not nearly as crowded as Delicate Arch."

If you're traveling with a family to see the arches, the Windows Loop Trail also might be a good choice. It's got a hefty dose of sculpted scenery without a hefty trek. The NPS rates the trail as easy, with just 99 feet of elevation gain, and the route brings hikers to North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch in a relatively compact loop.

When you're ready to set off on the Windows Loop Trail, you park at the trailhead about a 30-minute drive north of Moab, an outdoor paradise considered a top city for solo travelers. From the trailhead, the North Window is already visible — a gigantic, eye-shaped arch. A light climb along gravel leads toward the arch, with South Window and Turret Arch coming into view as you approach. South Window sits near its neighbor and has a similar, monumental shape; Turret Arch has a tall arch opening and a prominent rock tower — or "turret" — shouldering it. Hikers can climb right up to the bases of the arches. The payoff might be exciting for kids, who can wander beneath the enormous formations. "Cool place to see, and the kids loved exploring the rocks," a Google Maps reviewer said.

Once you've reached the arches, you have two choices: Turn around and return by the same main trail (the easier option), or take the slightly longer primitive route, which offers a behind-the-arch perspective. The primitive leg has some uneven terrain, steps, and fewer markers, but it's not a hugely demanding hike. As outdoors photography blogger Noah Lang Photography writes, "[T]he full Primitive Loop Trail is certainly not a difficult adventure, or at least not as difficult as the name 'Primitive' makes it seem!"

After dark, Windows is a top-tier stargazing spot. Utah has more Dark Sky-certified spots than anywhere else, and Arches is one of its International Dark Sky Parks. Arches is open 24 hours a day, and the NPS even encourages late-hour visits. If you're planning a trip to the park, Moab's Canyonlands Field Airport is the closest commercial gateway, with commuter flights from Phoenix, Denver, and Salt Lake City.