Pros & cons
PROS
- Big, dramatic span in a quiet corner of the park
- Bonus scenery: Marching Men towers and broad mountain views
CONS
- Reached by rough, unpaved roads that can be impassable when wet
- Sandy, cairned trail can be tiring and easy to lose; no services
Why go
Tower Arch is the park’s big, remote reward: a massive sandstone span (about 92 feet across) tucked behind the Klondike Bluffs. It’s the antidote to the crowds—beautiful, quiet, and rugged enough to feel like an adventure.
What you’ll see
The approach weaves through red rock fins, slickrock, and short sand climbs, with views toward the La Sal, Abajo, and Henry Mountains. Along the way, the Marching Men—tall, evenly spaced rock spires—stand like sentinels. The arch itself frames a photogenic jumble of pillars and a namesake tower of rock nearby.
The hike and access
- Main route: roughly 2.4–3.4 miles round trip, moderate effort with sandy sections and short steep bits.
- Longer option: some sources cite ~5.6 miles via alternate routing.
- Short 4WD option: a rugged spur (Tower Arch Road) gets you within about 1/3 mile of the arch for a quick out-and-back.
- Expect cairns instead of constant signage; the path can be faint on slickrock.
Roads are unpaved (Salt Valley Road and spurs). In dry conditions many cars make it, but high-clearance/4WD is recommended—after rain or snow, it can become a no-go.
Wildlife
This is good desert bird country: keep an ear out for canyon wrens and ravens, and watch for pinyon jays and tufted titmice among Utah juniper. Lizards are common; mule deer show up occasionally. Dawn and late afternoon are the most active times.
A bit of history and geology
The arch forms in Entrada Sandstone—classic Arches geology carved from ancient fins. The nearby Marching Men highlight the same erosional process. Tower Arch was documented in 1922 by Alex Ringhoffer; his inscription beneath the arch is a protected historic artifact.
Best time to visit
- Time of day: Early morning or late afternoon for cooler temps, softer side light, and fewer people. Sunset light can glow on the fins; the area also offers excellent stargazing on clear nights.
- Season: Spring and fall hit the sweet spot for temperatures; summer heat makes the sand slog tougher.
- Day of week: Weekdays are typically quieter.
Is it worth it?
If you’re up for a bit of sand, a bumpy road, and navigation by cairns, Tower Arch delivers solitude and big scenery that feel miles away from the park’s paved bustle.
Where it is
38.7890, -109.6871Tips for Tower Arch
- 01Download a map or carry the park paper map—cell service is spotty.
- 02Follow cairns carefully across slickrock; the route can vanish in places.
- 03If you have high-clearance 4WD, use the short spur to start 1/3 mile from the arch.
- 04Start early or late to beat heat and get better light on the fins.
- 05Avoid the drive and trail after heavy rain or snow; roads can become impassable.
Amenities
Near Tower Arch
All places →All trails →
0.3 mi awayTower Arch TrailQuiet slickrock and sand to a massive arch far from the crowdsModerate · 2.6 mi · 2.5 hr
0.9 mi awayKlondike BluffsRemote fins and arches with solitude, anchored by Tower ArchTrailhead · Parking
3.3 mi awayDark AngelLonely sandstone spire past Double O Arch with big desert viewsScenic Viewpoint
3.6 mi awayDouble O ArchTwo stacked arches after a fun fin scrambleScenic Viewpoint
3.9 mi awayBlack Arch OverlookQuick spur with big views and a hard-to-spot archScenic Viewpoint
4.7 mi awayDevils Garden Primitive LoopArches’ most adventurous loop through fins, arches, and slickrockChallenging · 7.8 mi · 4.5 hr
4.7 mi awayLandscape Arch TrailEasy walk to one of the world’s longest natural rock spansEasy · 1.8 mi · 1 hr
5 mi awayDevil's Garden TrailArches galore with an optional rugged, route-finding loopChallenging · 7.9 mi · 4 hr
