Most people who visit Arches National Park drive right by the entrance to the Fiery Furnace, because the sign on the road says that a permit is required for entry. This is true as far as it goes – if you want to descend into the Fiery Furnace, you’ll need a permit (which currently costs $10-16). But if you haven’t snagged a permit, or you just want to see the Fiery Furnace, there is a way to do it – without any real hassle, permit, or permission! A short path goes from the parking area to the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint. It’s not as exciting as exploring the labyrinth of the canyons, but it is a great viewpoint, you get to see the spires that give the Fiery Furnace its name, and you get a nice view of Salt Valley and the La Sal Mountains to boot!

If possible, park in the lower parking area (the first one that you come to) for the Fiery Furnace. If this is full, the upper area would work, too. There isn’t a whole lot of parking here, so you may have trouble in busy seasons; if so, you may want to come back in the evening (when the views are best, anyway).

Walk over to the trail sign, which is the typical signage for a trailhead in Arches. Fences frame the shallow stairs that descend from the sidewalk for almost 500ft. to a rocky viewing area.

From here, it’s easy to see the Fiery Furnace and even how the area got its name. The spires on top of the fins rise almost like tongues of flames!

Over to the right, you can look down on Salt Wash and down the wash to the La Sal Mountains. Further to the right are the Windows, though they look more like groups of rock formations from here.

When you’re done looking, retrace your steps up to the parking area. It’s not a long trek at all, but it is pretty – and you get to see the Fiery Furnace without a permit!

Round Trip Trail Length: I went 0.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 45ft. elevation gain (4,752ft. to 4,727ft.)

Facilities: Primitive restroom

Fees: $30/vehicle, valid 7 days. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Lands Passes and Southeast Utah Parks Annual Passes are accepted.

Trail Notes: I hesitate to suggest that this is a wheelchair-accessible hike due to the stairs. But it’s also not too difficult. The views are best in the late afternoon or evening. There isn’t a lot of parking, but not very many people go up here unless they have the proper permits, so chances are that you’ll be able to snag a spot fairly quickly.

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

GPS Coordinates for the Fiery Furnace Overlook

TH: 38.7426600°, -109.5660100° (38°44.55960′, -109°33.96060′ / 38°44’33.5760″, -109°33’57.6360″) (4,755ft.) (0.0)

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint: 38.7422260°, -109.5646610° (38°44.53356′, -109°33.87966′ / 38°44’32.0136″, -109°33’52.7796″) (4,730ft.) (485ft.)

End (down the parking lot): 38.7427130°, -109.5662820° (38°44.56278′, -109°33.97692′ / 38°44’33.7668″, -109°33’58.6152″) (4,756ft.) (0.22)

The gpx file for the Fiery Furnace Overlook can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 3.7 KB Downloaded 1 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Getting to the Fiery Furnace Trailhead

From the Arches National Park Visitor Center, drive 14.0 miles on the Main Park Road. Turn right, following the sign for the Fiery Furnace (Permit Required). Park in the first lot if possible. (The turn off the Main Park Road is 2.7 miles north of the road to Delicate Arch and 2.1 miles south of the Sand Dune Arch Trailhead.)

More Hikes in Arches National Park

The author of this book has his opinions – and one of them is that Arches National Park has some great trails! Discover some incredible scenery and fun hikes within its pages. Buy your copy here!