Arches National Park

Partition Arch Spur

moderatePhotographersQuick DetourArch Collectors
0.4 miDistance
VariesEstimated Time
roundtripTrail Type

What to Expect

This quick detour off the Devils Garden trail packs a disproportionate reward for its tiny distance. You'll scramble over slickrock and navigate a short but steep section that earns the moderate rating — it's not long, but it demands hands and feet in a couple of spots. The trail threads through narrow fins of Entrada sandstone before delivering you to Partition Arch, a window carved clean through a rock wall that perfectly frames the desert beyond. Stand inside the arch and you're looking out at a postcard of the La Sal Mountains floating above red rock. Unlike the crowded spectacle at Delicate Arch, you might have this one entirely to yourself. Perfect for hikers who want a quick scramble with a genuine payoff and don't mind a little route-finding.
PhotographersQuick DetourArch CollectorsCouplesSolitude Seekers

Safety Advisory

The short scramble section involves exposed slickrock that becomes dangerously slippery when wet or icy — skip this spur if there's been recent rain or if temperatures have been dropping below freezing overnight.

There are unprotected drop-offs near the arch itself. Keep children close and watch your footing, especially if you're backing up to frame a photo.

Trail Details

Distance0.4 miles round-trip
Difficultymoderate
Estimated TimeVaries
Trail Typeroundtrip
PetsNot allowed
SeasonYear-round
TrailheadPartition Arch Spur
Trail Tips
  1. 1

    Partition Arch sits about 2.5 miles into the Devils Garden trail — plan it as a stop on your way to or from Double O Arch rather than as a standalone hike, since the trailhead access is the same.

  2. 2

    The spur junction is easy to miss if you're focused on the main trail. Watch for a signed fork on the right side shortly after passing Navajo Arch — the detour adds maybe 15 minutes round trip.

  3. 3

    Bring a wide-angle lens and position yourself inside the arch looking outward. Late afternoon light turns the interior walls orange and the La Sal Mountains go blue-purple in the distance — it's one of the most naturally composed shots in the park.

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1 campgrounds, 19 trails, 1.5M annual visitors

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