Tower Arch
Tower Arch
5
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Discover811523
Penfield, NY25 contributions
June 2023
This was our first time hiking to the Tower Arch. It is out of the way, but well worth the time. First, the drive out on Salt Valley Rd. to the Klondike Bluffs Rd. is primitive. The road is not paved and it is narrow in places. It takes about a half hour or so to drive out there. Thankfully, we had a RAV4 that sat up higher. Here are some things I wished I knew as a first timer. As you are walking out on the path, you shortly come up to a rock wall. It is not too steep and it doesn't last long, but it is a surprise if you are not expecting it. The trail is pretty primitive as well. It is mostly over rock and you need to watch the cairns closely. The last part is sandy dunes that are an uphill slog toward the end. After you cross a ridge of rock, and go through some rocky fins, you are there. And it is a beautiful sight! One of our favorites. It is definately worth the hike.
Written 12 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
austinfamilyof4
Austin862 contributions
Mar 2020
This arch is only accessible with four wheel drive. You start off on a paved road in the park that quickly becomes a rock-crawler. We've done this many times and the "road" is much rougher now than it was 20 years ago. The arch is a short walk from the road. Very isolated and beautiful. There are a couple of other arches to the right of it that are harder to see because they have red rock in the background (no sky).
Written 28 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PandaHouston
Houston, TX6,120 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
To get to Tower Arch, you have to drive off road. The first road is a 2WD dirt road. From there, you can either continue to the trailhead to hike 1.7 miles to Tower Arch. Or, you can turn off to a 4WD road to hike .3 miles to Tower Arch.
We had a rental car - Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD and thought we would attempt the 4WD road. However, on the way in, 2 cars turned around and told us to do the same because they advised we would not have enough clearance.
So we turned around and parked at the trailhead for the 1.7 mile hike to Tower Arch. For these reasons, this is not a popular hike. So if you like a less crowded area, this is a great trail. We came close to sunset and the arch lit up in brilliant colors.
We had a rental car - Hyundai Santa Fe 4WD and thought we would attempt the 4WD road. However, on the way in, 2 cars turned around and told us to do the same because they advised we would not have enough clearance.
So we turned around and parked at the trailhead for the 1.7 mile hike to Tower Arch. For these reasons, this is not a popular hike. So if you like a less crowded area, this is a great trail. We came close to sunset and the arch lit up in brilliant colors.
Written 4 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Inna1119
Saint Paul, MN56 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
With about an hour and a half of daylight remaining and horrible storm clouds looming on the horizon, we turned onto the 9 mile clay road leading up to the Tower Arch trailhead. We were warned that the road becomes slippery and impassible during rain and that towing companies charge enormous sums to retrieve cars from unpaved roads, but it was our last day at the park and we were determined to fit this hike into our trip. Fingers crossed, we drove toward the trailhead. Once parked (we were the only ones), we scrambled over a rocky hill and were on our way toward the arch. The trail leading up to the arch is surrounded by formations called Marching Men and Klondike Bluffs and passes through deep red sand. The rocks here are also a deeper red color than in a lot of other places in the park. Once at the arch, there's a lot of opportunity for climbing and exploring. The arch gets its name from the pillar like stone that can be seen while standing inside the arch. On our way back we had some surreal pre-storm sunset light which added to this hike's significant appeal. We made it back to the car before the storm started, but the rain caught up with us within the last five minutes of the drive on the clay road. The warnings were true. The road became very slippery within a few minutes of becoming wet and a couple of times we almost lost control of the car. Made it out ok though with some beautiful memories!
Written 29 December 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike O
Columbus, OH36 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
My wife and I hiked to Tower Arch in Arches National Park in September 2015. First of all, this was my favorite hike in all of Arches. It's remote, very few people visit it, and there's no tour buses. And, to top it off, the vistas on the way to the arch are absolutely breath taking. The contrasts between the shades of blue in the sky, the white clouds, the greenery, and the dark red rock are something to behold.
There's 2 routes to get to Tower Arch, and both require you to drive an unpaved (but well graded and maintained) road. This is easy for any rental car. However, there's a 4WD road, which takes you to the short hiking path, and an additional unpaved road that takes you to the longer hiking path.
The longer hiking path is absolutely worth the 1.5 mile hike (one-way). It has amazing views, and covers a lot of terrain. The last 0.5 mile is soft sand and uphill, which while not the easiest part of the hike, the end is still worth it.
The shorter path is only accessible by taking the 4WD road. The signs indicate that you need 4WD and high clearance. If you do not normally travel these types of roads, you need to heed the signs. This is not something that a 4WD SUV from the typical car rental can handle. It has rocks, drop-offs, deep sand, and each obstacle requires some planning (and often a spotter). We made it to the first incline in our "Typical Rental SUV", and had to turn around (which is an accomplishment in itself).
But don't let the unpaved road discourage you. Get a hat, get some water, and take the longer hiking trail. It's worth it.
There's 2 routes to get to Tower Arch, and both require you to drive an unpaved (but well graded and maintained) road. This is easy for any rental car. However, there's a 4WD road, which takes you to the short hiking path, and an additional unpaved road that takes you to the longer hiking path.
The longer hiking path is absolutely worth the 1.5 mile hike (one-way). It has amazing views, and covers a lot of terrain. The last 0.5 mile is soft sand and uphill, which while not the easiest part of the hike, the end is still worth it.
The shorter path is only accessible by taking the 4WD road. The signs indicate that you need 4WD and high clearance. If you do not normally travel these types of roads, you need to heed the signs. This is not something that a 4WD SUV from the typical car rental can handle. It has rocks, drop-offs, deep sand, and each obstacle requires some planning (and often a spotter). We made it to the first incline in our "Typical Rental SUV", and had to turn around (which is an accomplishment in itself).
But don't let the unpaved road discourage you. Get a hat, get some water, and take the longer hiking trail. It's worth it.
Written 14 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kielar
Downingtown, PA278 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
If you want to experience something not like Disney World then this is your spot. Its another arch but there is no one around because it takes some work to get there. 25 minute ride on dirt road and a 45 min hike will get you to a really nice spot. We drove the road on a dry day in a Tacoma, I would not advise in a sedan during a rain storm. BTW, the BLM road that you take to get there connects with RT 191 so if you come in that way you may be able to avoid the pathetic $25 park entrance fee.
Written 7 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane S
Liberty Lake, WA240 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
This hike is not as advertised and popular as others maybe because you have to drive a bit farther than to many others in the park, including seven miles on a gravel road. However, the road is well maintained, and on a dry day, any car can manage it easily. The hike is wonderful, just moderate, nothing too hard, and the result of the hike is so rewarding. Tower Arch is huge, spectacular on its own, but if you get inside it, you will also admire one of the most majestic views on the whole park. It turned to be one of our favorite hikes and we highly recommend it to everybody who love hiking.
Written 27 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant H
Calgary, Canada127 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
This is a spectacular evening hike. I have done the hike twice and enjoyed two beautiful sunsets here. Not only is it gorgeous, but it is deserted. I had the arch to myself on both occasions.
Photographers, come for some excellent sunset pictures. The colors just POP right before sunset (bring a head lamp for the trip back). The quiet dessert is peaceful and gorgeous. Definetly a must see for those a little more adventurous and want to get away from the crowds of delicate arch and the Devils Garden.
You do have to work for it to get to this arch though. The road can be pretty miserable sometimes. make sure to check with the park visitor center for conditions.
Photographers, come for some excellent sunset pictures. The colors just POP right before sunset (bring a head lamp for the trip back). The quiet dessert is peaceful and gorgeous. Definetly a must see for those a little more adventurous and want to get away from the crowds of delicate arch and the Devils Garden.
You do have to work for it to get to this arch though. The road can be pretty miserable sometimes. make sure to check with the park visitor center for conditions.
Written 25 May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HatRez
Vancouver, Canada390 contributions
Oct 2018 • Couples
We'd already hiked SO much that day that I had to lie to my husband and tell him it "wasn't that far" so he would go with me. That and the opportunity to drive his truck down a dirt road, and he was in. :-)
It was worth the drive and worth the hike. This was the best arch in the park and with limited people, we had it all to ourselves for about 20 minutes. It was magical and a great way to end a long day in the park.
It was worth the drive and worth the hike. This was the best arch in the park and with limited people, we had it all to ourselves for about 20 minutes. It was magical and a great way to end a long day in the park.
Written 21 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Flladi
Oslo, Norway71 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
This was hands down, my favorite hike of the Arches Park. I found the other arches' trail overrated and overcrowded. Due to its not so favorable location (off road driving), this trail was not crowded at all. I would rate it as moderate, not particularly long (about 3miles/5km) nor steep (600 feet/ 200 m elevation gain). The sunset views were amazing. I would definitely recommend the hike at sunset.
Written 12 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jellingson
Liberty Lake, Washington
Is it feasible to access the trailhead from the north via BLM144 and BLM145? (Salt Valley Rd is going to be closed while we're visiting.)
Written 21 February 2018
We did not take the BLM road off of the highway but will next time, so not positive but if you check it out on Google maps it appears it is a direct connection with no gate.
Written 18 March 2018
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