The Tower Arch Trail in Arches National Park is one of my favorite hikes near Moab, and it remains a hidden gem, devoid of the crowds that flock to other Utah attractions.

The short and beginner-friendly Tower Arch Trail leads you to a massive sandstone arch named for the large rock spire that seems to rise from the top of the arch when viewed from the front.

This guide will cover the trailhead location, hiking tips, and everything you need to know before embarking on the Tower Arch Trail!

Contents

Tower Arch Trail: Quick Info

• Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) round trip

• Elevation Gain: 600 feet (180 meters)

• Duration: 1.5 - 2.5 hours round trip

• Difficulty: Easy / Moderate

Tower Arch Trail, Moab, Utah, Arches National Park
Framed View Inside Tower Arch

Tower Arch Trail: What to Expect
The Tower Arch hike begins with a short but steep climb on smooth rock.

After that, the middle section of the trail offers stunning views of Salt Valley, Klondike Bluffs, and a row of rock towers nicknamed the "Marching Men."

The trail isn't always well-marked, so keep following cairns along the way. Without them, I might have gotten lost a few times.

There are plenty of such cairns along the Tower Arch Trail, making navigation a bit easier.

Trail
First View on the Trail

Like many hikes in Arches, the difficulty of this trail depends on the weather when you hike. Hot weather can make it more challenging.

The trailhead sign that says "gentle ups and downs" is somewhat misleading. The trail is uphill in both directions, with a significant elevation gain for such a short distance.

However, it's still short, taking only about 45 minutes one way.

Trail
Sandy Trail and Sandstone Fins Near the End of the Trail

The final section of the trail near the arch is an uphill path through loose sand, which can be more challenging in hot weather.

Before reaching Tower Arch, you'll pass another arch on the right called Parallel Arch, which is smaller but still neat.

It's easy to miss on the way in but easy to spot on the way out.

Tower Arch Trail, Moab, Utah, Arches National Park
First View of Tower Arch from the Front. Note the Large Spire Named for the Arch.

Tower Arch
Seeing Tower Arch for the first time is exciting, but I think the view from the opposite side is even better!

The arch is 92 feet wide, and like other arches in the park, you can walk through it to see the arch from the other side and truly appreciate its size.

It's a massive arch, so even with a wide-angle lens, you'll have to climb slightly on the smooth rock in the lower corner of the arch to get the best photos.

Tower Arch Trail, Moab, Utah, Arches National Park
Tower Arch is one of our favorite hikes in Arches National Park.

At the base of the arch, there's an inscription left by early explorer Alex Ringhoffer, who was involved in the process of designating the Arches area as a national monument.

Another thing you'll notice is the scarcity of crowds. No one was on this hike at all! We climbed Tower Arch on a Sunday in September and didn't see a single person on the trail, although there were a few people at the arch.

The shade under the arch is a great place to relax and take a break!

As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, consider other hikers, and leave no trace. Thanks, and enjoy your hike!

Tower Arch Trail, Moab, Utah, Arches National Park
Front View of Tower Arch

Tower Arch Trailhead
The Tower Arch Trailhead is located in the northwest corner of Arches National Park (also known as the Klondike Bluffs area).

Here are the GPS coordinates: 38.793799211452004, -109.67459867454288

You can also use the Google Map below to navigate directly to the parking area, which is about an hour's drive from Moab, Utah.

Trailhead Conditions
The road to the Tower Arch Trailhead is one of the only unfinished roads in Arches National Park.

After turning onto Salt Valley Road from the Arches Scenic Drive, you'll drive about 8 miles on a gravel and dirt road.

Most vehicles should be able to make the trip when the weather is dry, but I wouldn't recommend coming soon after a rainstorm.

When you reach the trailhead, you'll find a very clean vault toilet (one of the cleanest I've seen in a national park!) and an information sign with a basic trail map.

Tower Arch Trailhead Sign
Tower Arch Trailhead Sign

Alternate Route (4WD)
If you have a 4WD vehicle, there's a second trailhead closer to Tower Arch that shortens the hike to just 0.5 miles round trip.

The road to this alternate trailhead is extremely rugged and rocky, so I don't recommend it unless you have a powerful 4WD vehicle with high ground clearance.

We drove my 4WD Toyota Tacoma part of the way, but there were too many rocks on the road, and I didn't think it was worth it, so we went to the main trailhead for Tower Arch instead.

4WD Parking Area Sign
This sign marks the intersection of the main road (2WD) to Tower Arch and the alternate road (4WD).

Best Time to Visit
The Tower Arch hike is a spectacular journey at any time of day, and it's never crowded, so it doesn't matter when you go, although the trail will be hotter at midday.

The photos on this page were taken around 11 am on a September morning, and we took photos of the arch from both sides without any glare from the sun.

Entrance Fee
You need a park pass to enter Arches National Park, but it's easy to obtain, and you can purchase it online or in person.

We usually buy an annual pass for visiting several U.S. parks within a year, but they also have daily passes. More information and current fees can be found on the Arches National Park website.

Starting in 2022, timed entry permits are also required to enter Arches National Park during peak months and hours. This is a new pilot program aimed at reducing crowds.