Seven miles through Arches sounds like a plan. This Devils Garden hike challenge in Moab focuses on big-arch walking with a timed-entry reservation, so your morning starts smoothly and stays on schedule. I also like that it keeps the day photo-friendly, with short stops built into the route.

What I like most is the 7-mile intermediate loop feel: you get a real hike, but the pace is practical and broken up by quick arch moments. You’ll also learn the geology and town context from your guide, and Paulina is specifically known for moving fast without wasting time.

One thing to consider: the tour price does not include National Park entry, so you’ll want a plan for the $15 per person park fee (or use an existing pass) before you go.

Key highlights before you lace up

• Timed-entry Arches reservation included, which helps you avoid the morning scramble
• 7-mile intermediate hike in the Devils Garden area, with short, photo-focused stops
• Guide-led pacing that adjusts to slower movement when needed
• Scenic drive photo stops that add views without adding major miles
• NPS-licensed local outfitter based in Moab (Moab In A Day LLC)

Devils Garden 7-mile loop: a tough-ish hike with lots of arch payoff

This tour is built around a 7-mile intermediate hike in Arches National Park, typically paced for a 5 to 6 hour total day. That means you should treat it as a true hike, not just a stroll. Still, the format is smart: you’ll hit iconic arches and viewpoints with short stop-and-photo moments rather than long, continuous walking with no breaks.

The Devils Garden area is known for arch density, and this route leans into that. You’re not only seeing one or two famous shapes—you’re moving through a sequence of arches that make the hike feel like a series of small wins. The bonus is that you’re also getting a scenic drive portion, so your day includes both walking and car-accessed viewpoints.

Fitness-wise, the tour asks for moderate physical fitness. Translation: if you can handle steady walking for a few hours and you’re comfortable in warm or sunny conditions, you’ll likely be fine. If you’re new to hikes, you may want to practice a couple of longer walks beforehand so you don’t feel caught off guard when the route starts adding up.

Moab pickup and a 7:00 am start to beat the day

You start at 7:00 am at 150 E Center St, Moab. The early start matters here. Arches is hot and exposed in warmer months, and a morning schedule gives you cooler air plus better light for photos. It also helps keep your hike on track, especially since timed entry is part of the plan.

Pickup is a big convenience if you’re staying in town. The tour offers pickup from all hotels, campgrounds, AirBnBs within Moab city limits. If you’re at certain outside properties—Sorrel River Ranch, Red Cliffs Lodge, Castle Valley, Under Canvas, Pack Creek Ranch—pickup is handled at the office at 150 E Center St.

This kind of setup is ideal when you don’t want to solve parking, shuttle timing, and route logistics on your own. It’s also useful if you’d rather spend your morning actually hiking and photographing.

Short walk hits first: the half-mile attraction sprint

The day begins with a short exploration phase focused on famous sights you can reach within about a half-mile walk. Even if you’re planning to do the longer Devils Garden loop, that early warm-up is helpful. It gets you oriented fast, and it sets expectations for what Arches feels like—rock textures, wind-carved shapes, and those sudden views around each bend.

You’ll then transition toward the arch-focused route and also include multiple stops along the scenic drive. That combination is a practical way to experience Arches without turning the day into nonstop walking.

If you’re the type who likes a clear plan—hit key icons, learn a bit, then earn your photos—this structure fits. Just remember: the short walks early on don’t replace the main hike. They’re momentum builders, not your only workout.

Landscape Arch to Navajo Arch: the main Devils Garden route

The heart of the experience is a guided loop that includes several short walks to major arches. Each stop is timed for about 5 minutes, which means the guide can keep the group moving while still giving you a real chance to look, photograph, and listen.

Landscape Arch

You’ll start with Landscape Arch, described as the world’s longest arch. It’s a quick stop, but it’s the kind of place where you can’t really rush. Even with limited time, it’s worth slowing down, looking at the thickness of the rock edges, and noticing how the light changes across the opening.

Double O Arch

Next comes Double O Arch, a more remote arch on the hike. Remote usually means less crowding and more focus on the moment. This is one of the stops where a guide helps because it’s not just about snapping a photo—it’s about understanding where you are in the geology story.

Partition Arch

Partition Arch appears as another remote stop along the hike. The layout here is part of what makes Devils Garden such a classic hike: you move through a series of arch “reveal” moments. Short stop times help you avoid the common mistake of spending too long at one photo spot while the rest of the route gets crowded into the afternoon.

Navajo Arch

You also reach Navajo Arch, listed as a remote arch you visit during the hike. Like the earlier stops, the value is in the sequence. Seeing multiple arches back-to-back makes each one easier to appreciate because you’ve got a fresh mental comparison as you go.

A note on the loop feel

Even though each arch stop is brief, the route adds up into a 7-mile loop. Expect some uneven footing and sun exposure. If you pace yourself early and don’t sprint from one photo to the next, the hike feels more doable.

Car stops that multiply the photos without extra miles

This tour doesn’t rely entirely on walking. You’ll also experience the length of the scenic drive and stop at best overlooks. There are also specific moments listed as seeing an arch from the vehicle, repeated twice in the flow.

Why that matters: it gives you more framing options for photos, plus viewpoints you might skip if you were driving yourself. Some views are simply hard to access on foot from a single parking area, and a guided scenic drive portion acts like a shortcut to better angles.

The Balanced Rock Trail photo stop is another example of this strategy. You’ll have about 5 minutes for photos, and you’ll also see Balanced Rock from the vehicle. If your group wants photos but doesn’t want to add extra hiking miles, this is a practical balance.

Timed-entry Arches reservation: what you get and what you still pay

One of the most valuable inclusions here is the timed-entry reservation for Arches National Park. That matters because Arches runs on schedules, and early timing is part of how you get a smoother day.

However, national park entry is not included in the tour price. The listed extra cost is $15 per person, with a possible free option for up to 4 people if you already have an existing pass. The tour also notes that if you have a pass, you’re set—so don’t buy a new one ahead of time just because you’re worried about missing out.

Practical takeaway: when you’re budgeting, plan for both the tour fee and the park entry unless you already have a pass. If you do have a pass, you’ll likely feel this tour is more of a “guided day out” than a pricey add-on.

Price and what $315.12 per person covers

At $315.12 per person, this is not a budget tour. The good news is that the price includes several things that normally cost you time or money when you DIY it.

What’s included:

• A photography and hiking focused guided format
• The 7-mile intermediate hike
• The timed-entry reservation for Arches
• Pickup within Moab city limits and from specific nearby lodging areas

Not included:

• National Park entry ($15 per person extra, or free for up to 4 with an existing pass)
• Tips (the guidance given is typically 15% if the day matched expectations)

So is it worth it? For me, it comes down to how much you value a structured morning. If you want a guide to handle timing, keep the group moving, and help you interpret the arches and geology—while also reducing the stress of logistics—then $315.12 can feel fair. If you’re happy driving, planning, and picking stops on your own, you might see this as pricey. Either way, it’s a clear product: a guided hike challenge, not a casual sightseeing loop.

Pace, heat, and guide style with Paulina as an example

The tour description sets expectations around moderate fitness, and the route is exposed. That’s where a good guide earns their fee. Your guide should manage the real-world pace: water breaks, timing between arch stops, and keeping the hike from turning into a suffer-fest.

In particular, Paulina is highlighted for not wasting time and for tailoring the pace when some people need to go slower in the heat. That’s a big deal on a 7-mile loop because the biggest risk is getting behind schedule, not simply being tired.

You’ll also benefit from the guide’s knowledge of both the park features and the area around Moab. The combination helps your photos mean more than just shapes. You start noticing patterns: how arches relate to rock layers, how erosion can make a landmark look both fragile and stubborn at the same time.

Also, because the stops are short (often around 5 minutes), you’ll want to come ready to move. Bring a camera you can actually use quickly, and think about what you want most: wide shots at each arch, or close-ups that show the rock edges.

Should you book this Arches Devils Garden 7-mile challenge?

Book it if you:

• Want a structured 7-mile Devils Garden hike with minimal decision-making
• Care about getting an Arches timed-entry slot handled for you
• Prefer a guide to manage pacing and point out what you’re actually looking at
• Would enjoy a day that mixes walking, scenic drive stops, and photo breaks

Skip it or choose a different option if:

• You’re strictly looking for a low-effort outing
• You’d rather DIY Arches with your own driving plan and don’t need a guide to keep time
• Park entry fees would stretch your budget (unless you already have a pass)

If your goal is a confident, guided Arches day that focuses on iconic arches and photos without chaos, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

What time does the Devils Garden 7-mile hike start?

The tour start time is 7:00 am.

How long is the tour?

Plan on about 5 to 6 hours.

Is Arches National Park entry included in the tour price?

No. National Park entry is listed as $15 per person extra, unless you already have an existing pass (free for up to 4 people with one pass).

Does the tour include a timed-entry reservation?

Yes. Timed-entry for Arches National Park is included.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 150 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532, USA and ends back at the same meeting point.

Do you offer hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup is available from all hotels, campgrounds, and AirBnBs within Moab city limits. Pickup from certain nearby areas is handled by meeting at the office at 150 E Center St.

Is this tour private?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

What level of fitness is required?

The tour says travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.