Fiery Furnace

Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park features towering red sandstone fins and hoodoos.

Red sandstone fins rise in a maze of narrow passages, catching late-day light like embers in a furnace. The view into the Fiery Furnace reveals towering walls and sinuous slots carved through Entrada sandstone. The rock story here is wind, water, and temperature-driven erosion, with beneath‑surface salt layers guiding how the blocks crack and separate.

Access & viewing

GPS Coordinates: 38.7422260° N, -109.5646610° W
Accessibility: Viewpoint is easily reached by a short walk; interior access requires a permit; terrain is rugged and maze-like

Conditions & safety

Permits Required: 1

Planning advice

Nearby Attractions: Delicate Arch Viewpoint, Sand Dune Arch, Windows Section, Devils Garden
Nearby Facilities: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint parking; nearby facilities exist in the park but interior access is backcountry
Best Time To Visit: Fall is best for hiking with warm temperatures and infrequent rain; Spring is good though a bit wet; Ranger-led tours run spring through fall; Golden Hour lighting at sunset yields the most dramatic color.
Tips Advice: Obtain a permit or join a ranger-led tour; interior access is mandatory.
Parking is limited at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint; arrive early or use the overflow.
Carry at least 1 liter of water per person; heat illness is a real risk.
Wear grippy shoes; keep hands free for scrambling.
GPS and compasses do not work well here; bring offline maps.
Watch for poison ivy near water sources; dehydration and sun exposure demand breaks in shade.
Insider Tips: Bring offline maps; GPS often fails inside the maze
Enter with a permit or join a ranger-led tour for safety and orientation
The maze rewards slow navigation and deliberate movement
Sunset light makes the rocks glow red; plan for golden hour photography

More details

Park Area: Arches National Park
Family Friendly Notes: The maze is physically demanding; keep children close; permit required; plan for heat and dehydration
Recent Updates: No recent updates available
Attraction Type: Geological Formation
Elevation Feet: 4730
Distance From Entrance: 14 miles from the park's visitor center along the main park road.
Accessibility Level: Ranger-led or self-guided permit required; interior exploration not recommended for first-time visitors.
How To Get There: Drive to Fiery Furnace Viewpoint and park (limited parking). A 0.1 mile walk leads to the designated viewpoint; entering the maze requires a permit or ranger-led tour.
Parking Availability: Limited parking at Fiery Furnace Viewpoint; turn-off is 2.7 miles north of the Delicate Arch road and 2.1 miles south of the Sand Dune Arch Trailhead.
Road Type: Paved main park road to viewpoint; interior access uses trails and rugged terrain
Seasonal Access: Spring through fall for ranger-led tours; fall is preferred for hiking; summer is busiest
Entry Fees: Varies
Main Features: Slot canyon, fins, towering sandstone walls, near-mile-long maze; 1/3–1/2 mile wide; tall walls
What Youll See: Towering red sandstone fins, narrow slots, drifting light within the maze, salt-affected rock layers, pockets of canyonland biscuitroot and crusts
Unique Characteristics: Large concentration of Canyonlands biscuitroot; salt anticlines beneath Entrada sandstone influence fracturing; ephemeral pools and biological soil crusts in microhabitats
Safety Considerations: No interior safety barriers; extreme drop-offs and scrambling over broken sandstone; stay hydrated; heat illness risk; poison ivy near water; plan for disorientation due to maze-like terrain
Best Viewpoints: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint (0.1 mile from parking) offers the clearest overlook of the maze; sunset light highlights the red walls
Photo Opportunities: Golden-hour glow on the fins; silhouettes and long shadows in narrow slots; beams of light through slot openings
Photography Spots: 0.1 mile viewpoint; interior passages glow at sunset; pockets of light create dramatic compositions
Sunrise Sunset Quality: Golden Hour at sunset; morning light also favorable for photography
Visitor Center Present: 1
Restrooms Available: 0
Picnic Areas: 0
Interpretive Signs: 1
Cell Service: Limited; GPS devices and compasses unreliable inside the maze
Water Available: 0
Guided Tours Available: 1
Trailheads Here: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
Connecting Trails: Ranger-led routes; interior routes depend on permits; multiple passage options within the maze
Nearby Services: Fiery Furnace Viewpoint parking; basic park facilities nearby; nearest services at the park facilities
Common Wildlife: Goats, sheep, pika
Best Wildlife Times: Spring
Geological Formation Type: Slot canyon, fins, sandstone (Entrada); salt-influenced fracturing beneath (Paradox Formation)
Scientific Interest: Displays fin and slot canyon erosion in Entrada sandstone; interplay of tectonic uplift, wind and water erosion, and buried salt layers; habitat for Canyonlands biscuitroot and soil crusts
Snow Lingering: Snow can linger and close passages in winter
Winter Access: Limited; closures possible during snow
Best Visit Times: Fall; mornings/evenings for best light and cooler temperatures
Best Season: Fall
Weather Patterns: Heat dominates summer; cooler yet pleasant in fall; spring can bring intermittent rain; winter shade and possible snow
Peak Fill Times: Summer holidays and weekends
Busiest Season: Summer holidays and weekends
Fishing Nearby: 0
Swimming Allowed: 0
Boating Allowed: 0
Climbing Areas: 0
Review Summary: At 4.9 stars from 123 reviews, visitors prize the Fiery Furnace for its dramatic red walls and the thrill of maze-like navigation; entry requires a permit, and exploring the interior is physically demanding, but the payoff is a rare inside-view of Arches’ erosion-driven architecture.

Location

Photos

Fiery Furnace Viewpoint Trail at Arches National Park offers striking desert scenery and canyon views.

Fiery Furnace overlook within Arches National Park showcases sculpted red rock towers and distant snow-capped peaks.

Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a permit to enter the Fiery Furnace interior?

Yes. Interior access requires either a ranger-led tour or a self-guided permit; without a permit, the maze is off-limits.

Is it worth the 2.5-mile ranger-led experience for first-timers?

Yes. The 2.5-mile, ~2.5-hour tour reveals the maze’s best routes and geology from within, which a viewpoint alone cannot capture.

Can my 65-year-old parent manage the interior maze?

Interior navigation is rugged and disorienting; the viewpoint is easy to reach (0.1 miles) but interior exploration demands fitness and caution; consider a guided tour for comfort and safety.

Is parking easy and should I arrive early?

Parking is limited at the Fiery Furnace Viewpoint; arriving early improves the chance of a spot, and planning for overflow parking helps with access during peak times.

Is it hot in fall, and do I need to worry about sun exposure?

Fall offers cooler temps and reliable photography light; still carry water, wear sun protection, and be prepared for warm afternoons if you stay late in the day.