Not every trip to Arches has to include sweaty climbs and three-mile uphill slogs on slickrock. Maybe you’re traveling with kids, older family members, or you just want to see the highlights without feeling like you joined a CrossFit class. The good news? Arches has plenty of jaw-dropping views that require little more than stepping out of your car—or at most, a very short stroll.

Here are the best stops in Arches if you can’t (or don’t want to) hike.

Park Avenue Viewpoint

Distance from Car: 1–2 minutes
Difficulty: Easy, paved
Best Time: Morning for glowing canyon walls

This viewpoint gives you the dramatic “sandstone skyscrapers” effect of Park Avenue without hiking into the canyon. The trail does go down if you’re up for it, but the overlook itself is spectacular and accessible.

Courthouse Towers

Distance from Car: Less than 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Early morning

These massive formations stand like stone government buildings. You don’t have to trek far—just pull over and walk a short distance to take in the view.

Balanced Rock

Trail Length: 0.3 miles (paved loop, optional)
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Sunrise or golden hour

Balanced Rock looks like it shouldn’t exist, and yet there it is—a giant boulder perched precariously on a pedestal. You can walk the short paved loop if you’d like, but honestly, the view from the parking lot is already incredible.

Garden of Eden

Distance from Car: Steps from the lot
Difficulty: Easy, uneven ground if you wander further
Best Time: Midday

This isn’t a formal trail, but a pullout where you can wander a few feet for a great panorama of sandstone formations. It feels wild and open without requiring effort.

Delicate Arch Viewpoints

Lower Viewpoint: 0.2 miles, short but uphill
Upper Viewpoint: 0.5 miles, more difficult

The full Delicate Arch hike is strenuous, but the viewpoints are perfect alternatives. From the lower viewpoint, you’ll see the arch in the distance. If you can manage the short climb to the upper viewpoint, you’ll get a much better angle without committing to the full three-mile trek.

Salt Valley Overlook

Distance from Car: Immediate, right at the pullout
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Sunrise or sunset for glowing rock formations

This pullout overlooks Fiery Furnace and the sweeping red rock valley. It’s one of those “don’t skip it” roadside stops.

Sand Dune Arch

Trail Length: 0.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy (soft sand, shaded)
Best Time: Morning for full shade

This is one of the few arches that feels like a secret hideaway. The trail is short and leads through a sandy slot to a shaded arch. Even though it’s a short walk, it’s very doable—and the cool sand and shade make it a great stop in summer.

Skyline Arch

Trail Length: 0.4 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Anytime

An easy stroll (or even just a view from the road) takes you to Skyline Arch, a massive window perched high in a sandstone wall.

The Windows Section

Trail Length: 1 mile round trip if you do all three (North Window, South Window, Turret Arch), but you can see plenty right from the lot
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Late afternoon into sunset

This area is packed with arches. Even if you don’t do the full loop, you can walk just a few minutes from the parking lot to see North Window and Turret Arch. The formations are huge and impressive without requiring a serious hike.

Double Arch

Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Anytime

One of my personal favorites. The short, flat path leads to two enormous arches joined at one end. Even if you don’t hike all the way up, the view from the lot is spectacular.

Visitor Center

Finish your trip at the visitor center—it’s air-conditioned, has exhibits, and plenty of souvenirs. It’s also a great place to cool off before heading back into Moab.

Final Thoughts

Arches doesn’t have to mean miles of hiking. With overlooks, short strolls, and easy loops, you can see most of the park’s highlights with minimal effort. From the drama of Park Avenue to the grandeur of Double Arch, you’ll still get the “wow factor” without breaking a sweat.

Whether you’re traveling with family, need a rest day, or just want a more relaxed visit, these stops prove that Arches is just as rewarding even if you keep the hikes short and sweet.

Stops to Make in Arches National Park if You Can’t Hike