Hiking the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park
Distance (Roundtrip): 1.8 miles / 2.9 km
Surrounded by towering sandstone cliffs, the Park Avenue Trail in Arches National Park feels like a hidden gem among countless other trails that often attract more visitors.
Being the case, the Park Avenue Trail is one of Arches’ least-visited day hikes, and if you plan the hike like I describe it in the section below, the trail can make for a fun and easy, one-way adventure, utilizing both trailheads on this amazing hike!
Park Avenue Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Park Avenue Trail is located at either one of two trailheads, which entirely depends on which direction you’d rather hike.
In short, the South Park Avenue Trailhead begins at the highest point on the trail, making the hike mostly downhill, while the North Park Avenue Trailhead begins near the bottom of the wash, making the hike mostly uphill.
However, if there’s someone in your party that would prefer not to do the hike, then the Park Avenue Trail can make for a great, all-downhill hike from the South Trailhead.
Google Maps Directions: South Park Avenue Trailhead / North Park Avenue Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Arches
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Arches National Park.
Hiking the Park Avenue Trail
Beginning from the South Park Avenue Trailhead, the hike begins on a paved path to the Park Avenue Viewpoint.
Park Avenue Viewpoint
The Park Avenue Viewpoint is located within the first 0.1 miles (0.2 km) of the South Trailhead.
Following the viewpoint, the Park Avenue Trail immediately begins descending about 100 ft. (30.5 m) to the bottom of the wash.
Once at the bottom of the wash, the Park Avenue Trail levels out significantly, following the wash on a mostly downhill gradient.
Some of the more notable features along Park Avenue include Sausage and Queen Victoria Rock, along with the Courthouse Towers toward the north end of the trail.
Tierdrop Canyon
As the Park Avenue Trail approaches Tierdrop Canyon, stay to the right to continue north through the main wash.
As the hike nears the north trailhead, the Park Avenue Trail will leave the wash on the right-hand side.
North Park Avenue Trailhead
This is the North Park Avenue Trailhead, and as previously mentioned, it can make for a great pickup spot, should you have a ride to make it a one-way hike.
