Fiery Furnace: A Unique Adventure in Arches National Park

By now, you may have heard that the Trump administration has cut budgets affecting many government departments, including the United States National Park Service (NPS). Due to park rangers being laid off, Arches National Park has had to indefinitely close access to the Fiery Furnace area, and permits are no longer being issued.

A few years ago, I had the chance to experience the Fiery Furnace firsthand during a girls' weekend in Moab with a friend—Fiery Furnace being on both our bucket lists. We were fortunate to secure one of the limited daily permits and set out on an unforgettable adventure.

Getting a Permit for Fiery Furnace

Before the indefinite closure of Fiery Furnace, only 75 permits were issued daily for hiking the area, and hikers could make reservations up to seven days in advance. Why is a permit? Fiery Furnace is a unique and fragile ecosystem with delicate soil crust and vegetation. Self-Guided Exploration permits (and viewing the required short video at the visitor center) and instructions by park rangers ensure visitors stay on designated paths to minimize environmental impact.

Planning Your Hike

Besides securing a permit, there are other important preparations before heading into the Fiery Furnace. After reading online hikers' reviews, we decided to do the loop in a counterclockwise direction. One key reason for this choice was that the minuscule arrows meant to help navigation are more visible in this direction. Even so, we still had to backtrack a few times after missing some tiny markers.

Also make sure to download the Fiery Furnace map from AllTrails in advance, as there is little to no GPS signal inside the labyrinth.

What to Expect on the Trail

After parking in the designated Fiery Furnace parking area (remember to display part of your hiking permit on your dashboard), we set off on our adventure. The hike began with a short descent, which transitioned to a sandy trail. The first narrow slot we encountered required us to remove our backpacks to fit through—a clear sign that this was no ordinary hike.

You’ll need to scramble over boulders, squeeze through fissures, walk along precarious ledges with no handholds, and use both hands and feet to climb rocks. More than once, we thought we were on the right path, only to realize we had hit a dead-end and had to backtrack.

As you navigate the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) route, keep an eye out for small plaques with arrows—barely larger than a business card and blending seamlessly into the red rock (making this hike a bit like a scavenger hunt). Take a look at the pictures below and try to find the arrows that are used to find your way through Fiery Furnace. By the way, a wrong turn can easily stretch your 2.3-mile hike into a 5-mile trek.

Along the way, you’ll also find a magnificent hidden arch, aptly named Surprise Arch, tucked away in one of the dead-ends—a perfect photo opportunity!

We completed this exhilarating hike in under three hours, which isn’t bad for a trail rated as hard. If I could give this hike 10 stars, I would — simply because it is so unique, adventurous, exhilarating, exciting, yet peaceful and quiet.

Rules & Safety Tips

All members of your hiking group must be present when picking up permits, and your group must stay together.
Pack out all trash, including solid human waste (there are no toilets in the area).
It is prohibited to walk anywhere other than on rocks or in washes (drainage channels).
Commercial groups are not allowed in the Fiery Furnace.
Hikers should be in good physical shape to complete this challenging trek.
Children under five are not allowed.
Navigating the complex passages requires agility and careful observation—it’s easy to get lost.

Essential Gear for Fiery Furnace

Hiking shoes: Proper hiking footwear is crucial, do not attempt this hike in flipflops or crocs; your feet and ankles will thank you later.
I wouldn’t recommend hiking poles. They’ll only get in the way of your scrambling and climbing efforts.
Plenty of water & a healthy snack
Leave no trace: Pack out everything you bring in to preserve this special area.

Additional Information

Hopefully, the Fiery Furnace permits and ranger-led hikes will be available again soon. For the latest updates, check the Arches National Park website.

Timed entry applies at Arches NP from April through October—make sure to book yours in advance!

Here’s the video everyone must watch when getting a permit: NPS Permit Video

Have you tackled the Fiery Furnace trail? What was your experience like? Share your tips or questions in the comments below!