Old Arrowhead Road

Old Arrowhead Road is a 6.8-mile, one-way hike across the park's southern side, from the west-side marker to the highway near Elephant Rock Loop. It follows a rough historic road through open desert. Allow about 3.5 hours; the west end is roughly 700 feet higher than the east, while gravel, wash crossings and fading tread slow the walk. Choose it for the long historic crossing and broad desert views. If your day is short, the separate 1.2-mile Elephant Rock Loop gives you an easier walk at the eastern end.

The west end passes between the Beehives and the southern hills. Red sandstone formations appear about a mile in, followed by a large wash crossing near mile 1.5. Much of the corridor is gravel above or through washes, with paired old tire lines visible in places. The tread can fade into the wash, so keep an eye out for the arrowhead-shaped markers. At the east end, following the wash instead of the markers can carry you more than a mile past the Elephant Rock Loop junction.

The higher western stretches look toward the red formations, the southern boundary hills and Overton Arm of Lake Mead. The payoff is the wide desert view. For a photo, leave part of the old track in the foreground so the route has scale.

The Arrowhead Trail was promoted as a route between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles; the rough road through this area dates to 1912. Paired tire grooves remain visible in places. Near the finish, look for Clark's Memorial and the old-road marker across from Elephant Rock Loop.

Start at the signed west trailhead and finish by Elephant Rock Loop. No trail shuttle was found, so arrange a pickup or second vehicle in advance. Park only in designated areas because roadside parking is prohibited. The park closes Arrowhead Trail from May 15 through September 30 each year because of heat-related emergencies. Leashed dogs are allowed on leads no longer than six feet.