Sight · Lake Mead National Recreation Area
A bell-shaped arch on a long, exposed desert hike.
Overview
The arch’s opening and round rock feature suggest the Liberty Bell and its clapper. Look from the south side, where the shape reads especially clearly. Wind and water slowly carved this unusual formation over millions of years.
Parkwolf’s verdictWhy it’s called Liberty BellMap
Plan your stop
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Lake Mead Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake Mead National Recreation Area. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Lake Mead audio tourRecorded for this place
White Rock Canyon: The Hike to Arizona Hot Springs“You're nearing the White Rock Canyon trailhead, with hiking access to Arizona Hot Springs.”
Plays as you drive up to Liberty Bell Arch in the Parkwolf Lake Mead Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Guide
Liberty Bell Arch is a natural rock arch on the Arizona side of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, reached from White Rock Canyon. This is a hiking destination, not a roadside stop. The unmaintained route is rated strenuous: 5.5 miles round trip, 750 feet of elevation change and about 4–8 hours. It crosses sandy washes and loose rock, with steep grades and ledges. The route is exposed, so carry enough water; there is none at the trailhead.
Route-finding can get tricky where faint paths and old roads split, especially near the mine remains. Have your directions ready before leaving the parking area.
The route also passes remnants of a World War II-era magnesium mine. It’s an unexpected piece of industrial history among the desert washes and rock ledges.
The route carries on to a broad Black Canyon overlook roughly 1,000 feet above the Colorado River. The river and canyon make a worthwhile extension if you have the time and energy; this is a bigger outing than the arch alone might suggest.
Wildlife
525 sightingsBighorn SheepMost seen around 5 PMSighting map
116 sightingsBurroMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
18 sightingsBald EagleMost seen around 4 PMSighting map
99 sightingsWhite PelicanMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
145 sightingsGreat Blue HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
106 sightingsTurkey VultureMost seen around noonSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake Mead. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
EasySpooky Canyon Trail1 mi · 1.3 hr · 1.1 mi awayA dark slot winds beneath a sculpted stone portal.
ChallengingLiberty Bell Arch Trail5.5 mi · 6 hr · 1.5 mi awayA long, rough wash hike to an arch and river rim.
ChallengingWhite Rock Canyon Trail6.5 mi · 6 hr · 1.5 mi awayThe rocky wash opens at the Colorado River.
ChallengingArizona Hot Spring Trail5 mi · 6 hr · 1.5 mi awayA rough desert traverse ends at hot pools in a slot canyon.
ChallengingHorse Thief Canyon Trail8.8 mi · 5 hr · 1.5 mi awayA long dirt-road walk to two green springs in Horse Thief Canyon.
ModerateSugarloaf Overlook Trail3.1 mi · 2.5 hr · 1.9 mi awayOld dam roads, sandy washes, and a Colorado River overlook.
ModerateBoy Scout Canyon Trail3.6 mi · 3.5 hr · 2.5 mi awayA sandy volcanic wash ends above a 330-foot plunge.
ChallengingColorado River Overlook Trail3.6 mi · 3.8 hr · 2.5 mi awayA river overlook reached by a rough wash, loose ridge, and scramble.
Sight · 1 mi awayArizona Hot SpringsA soak in canyon hot pools after a hard desert hike.
Sight · 2 mi awayGold Strike Hot SpringsWarm pools tucked in a canyon, earned by a serious scramble.
Sight · 2.9 mi awayHoover DamWalk the crest; a tunnel tour shows how the dam works.
Sight · 2.9 mi awayMike O’Callaghan–Pat Tillman Memorial BridgeA dam view from a walkway perched high above the Colorado River.
Sight · 3.6 mi awayLakeview Scenic OverlookA quick lake-and-desert panorama on the way to Hoover Dam.
Beach · 4.3 mi awayKingman Wash BeachA desert cove that rewards the rough drive with open water.
Sight · 4.3 mi awayLake Mead MarinaBoat slips, dockside dining, and desert views in one lakeside stop.
Restaurant · 4.4 mi awayThe Boat House Bar & GrillA floating restaurant and bar with views over the harbor and lake.Parkwolf’s Lake Mead ranking
The audio tour guide for the drive, plus offline maps, trails, and wildlife heatmaps for when the signal drops.
