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Tower Arch Hiking Guide

View of Tower Arch in Arches National Park in UtahNathan Fields

 
Hike to Tower Arch, a large, 90-foot arch hidden behind the Klondike Bluffs in Arches National Park in Utah. Along the way, you will be passing by the rock formations called the Marching Men a series of tall, thin towers standing like sentinals all in a row atop part of a gigantic fin of eroding sandstone. 
 
Tower Arch gets its name because of the large tower-like rock formation that sits above it. It is rarely visited due to its location in the Klondike Bluffs in the western part of Arches National Park, and because it is not accessible via a paved road. Instead, it’s an 8-mile drive on the gravel and dirt Salt Valley road. However, this road is easily driven by car, with no 4WD or high clearance required. 
 
The views heading back on Salt Valley road after your hike are stunning.
 
Salt Valley Road
Tower Arch Utah 8
 
Due to its off-the-beaten-path location, you will see very few people here, and if you’re looking to get away from the crowds that can sometimes make exploring Arches National Park unpleasant, then this is the hike for you.
 
Looking through Tower ArchTower Arch Arches National Park-2
Nathan Fields
 
This  arch can’t be seen from the trailhead as it actually faces west and there is a huge rock fin behind it to the east.
 
The Marching Men ""The magnificient marching men formation on the way to Tower Arch
Vincent Rebetez
 
Most people only hike to Tower Arch by the traditional East trailhead right off of Salt Valley Road. But, there are actually two trailheads for Tower Arch, the other is the West Trailhead accessed via a rough 4×4 road off of Salt Valley Road just south of the turn to the East Trailhead. The West Trailhead can also be accessed coming from outside of Arches National Park via Highway 191 and through the Klondike Bluffs, however, this is quite an adventurous route.
 
Note
  • No dogs, inside the national park
  • Do not attempt in wet weather, the road will be impassable
  • Usually not a busy trail
  • There is a west trailhead alternative
 
Photo Notes
  • Best shooting for the Marching Men is in the early morning or late afternoon sun to bring out the color and texture of the large rock fins and arches
  • Tower Arch faces to the west, so sunset lights up the face, at sunrise the sun will be behind it and blocked by the higher rock fins directly behind the arch
  • The Marching men run in a line northeast to southwest and are most photogenic from the north side where the hiking trail is located


Getting to the different trailheads

Tower Arch trailhead map

East Trailhead

( 38.792431, -109.675213 )
Distance is 25.3 miles from Arches National Park entrance
 
  • Once you enter the park from the main gate take the Arches National Park Road 17 miles. 
  • Turn left onto Salt Valley Road at ( 38.768345, -109.588557 ), continue for 7.3 miles. 
  • Turn left onto the 2nd dirt road at ( 38.796088, -109.658857 ), continue 1.0 mile to the tailhead parking area.
 

West Trailhead – Option 1

( 38.787933, -109.689720 ) 
Distance is 27.2 miles from Arches National Park entrance
 
  • Once you enter the park from the main gate take the Arches National Park Road 17 miles 
  • Turn left onto Salt Valley Road at ( 38.768345, -109.588557 ), continue for 7.2 miles. 
  • Turn left on the first dirt road at ( 38.795344, -109.658063 ) (350 feet before the 2nd road that takes you to the East Trailhead), this road has deep sand and gets very rough with a steep ascent. In 2.0 miles you will come to a spot where you can stop and do the short hike to Anniversary Arch located just minutes south of the road. Afterward, continue north 1.0 miles to the trailhead parking area.
    Tower Arch Utah 2


West Trailhead – Option 2 ""

( 38.787933, -109.689720 ) 
Distance is 28.6 miles from Moab (Colorado River bridge)
 
  • Is coming via 4×4 roads from Highway 191 and the west side of the Klondike Bluffs. This is quite an adventure, you will see dinosaur footprints and an old abandoned copper mine along the way, be able to hike to Anniversary Arch along the way also, however, the route requires off-road vehicles and skills. If you don’t have the right vehicle, you could rent one from the many suppliers in Moab or hire a private off-road tour company to take you on this unique route. 
  • Take Highway 191 north out of Moab for about 13.8 miles 
  • Take a right off of Highway 191 at ( 38.740678, -109.734352 ) on to the Klondike Bluff Road 
  • Continue for 2.9 miles to the Klondike Bluffs Parking area ( 38.773712, -109.712454 ) 
  • Head north on Copper Ridge Safari Route for 0.8 miles 
  • You will come to the trailhead for the Dino Flow mountain bike trail, turn right onto the Klondike Road Trail at ( 38.773712, -109.712454 ) 
  • The trail will eventually break out of the wash in 0.8 miles and you will be at the base of the long section of slickrock with the trail indicated by white paint marks on the slickrock. 
    Tower Arch Utah 9

  • The slickrock continues uphill for 1.3 miles, in the first quarter mile there are many dinosaur tracks always on your left, most of them surrounded by rings of stones so they are easy to see. (These are the dinosaur tracks you will see on the Klondike Bluffs Dinosaur track hike)
    Tower Arch Utah 10
  • At the top of the slickrock you will continue for about 0.5 miles on a sandy trail to the junction at (38.81089, -109.70447 ) where a spur trail to the right takes you out and back to the remains of the Brontosaur Copper Mine and a short hike to a view of the Klondike Bluffs inside Arches National Park.  
    Tower Arch Utah 12

  • Once your return back to the main trail and continue in the same direction you were heading before, you will now be on the Baby Steps Trail for 0.6 miles and climb to a ridge with a view of Salt Valley, the final descent down into the valley is rough and difficult, it is narrowed and steep with rocks and boulders. 
  • From here it is an easy sandy road for 0.6 miles to the junction with Salt Wash Road at ( 38.81605, -109.68722 ) turn right onto Salt Wash Road heading south 
  • In 2.0 miles you come to the turn off to your right for the Tower Arch Trailhead (East), which you will not take, but continue 350 feet to take the next right turn. 
  • Continue down this sandy road for 2.0 miles, eventually, the Marching men formation will be to your right. 
  • Stop at ( 38.775655, -109.682196 ) and hike south to Anniversary Arch (0.3 miles out and back) 
  • Continue 1.0 mile north to the West Trailhead for Tower Arch

 

Hiking Routes

Tower Arch hiking trail map


East Trailhead Route to Tower Arch

Distance
2.5 miles total out and back

  • From the parking area, set out on the trail, you will quickly have to ascend a short and steep section of slickrock and jumbled boulders, watch for rock cairns. Most of your elevation gain of the hike is on this section.
  • On this ridge you have a nice view over Salt Valley and if you look further east, you can spot the Devils Garden area rock formations.
  • The trail descends down through sandy sections and starts to skirt along the north side of another rock formation on your left.
  • About a mile into the hike you should start seeing the Marching Men formation to your left, with giant sandstone pillars all in a line.
  • Keep a look out for the double Parallel Arch formation at ( 38.788965, -109.687139 ) with one arch behind the other, it should be on your right after descending a short rock spine, it is easy to miss, if you miss it you can try to find it on your way back out as it is easier to see.
    Parallel Arch
  • In another 100 yards you turn the corner and should see Tower Arch where you can scramble over the slickrock and enter the arch.
  • Look for Alex Ringhoffer’s inscription near the arch’s base that celebrates the arch’s discovery. Ringhoffer was a prospector and early explorer of the Klondike Bluffs area and one of the principle advocates for national park designation in the Arches region. Look for two inscriptions, one each on the north and south abutments of the arch. The inscription on the south abutment reads “DISCOV’D BY M. AND MRS. ALEX RINGHOEFFER AND SONS 1922-23.” the inscription has led to some controversy since the name “Ringhoffer” is misspelled and the date 1922-23 is rather strange and cryptic. The Ringhoffer family operated a silver mine in Salt Valley and spent Sundays exploring the surrounding country. The second inscription reads “Minaret Bridge, H.S. Bell 1927.” 

Alex Ringhoffer

 

West Trailhead Route to Tower Arch ""

Distance 
0.75 miles total out and back to Tower arch and Parallel Arch

1.1 miles total out and back to Tower arch and Parallel Arch and the Marching Men

  • From the trail head you walk through beautiful rock fins to eventually come out facing Tower Arch.
  • Look for Alex Ringhoffer’s inscription near the arch’s base that celebrates the arch’s discovery. Ringhoffer was a prospector and early explorer of the Klondike Bluffs area and one of the principle advocates for national park designation in the Arches region. Look for two inscriptions, one each on the north and south abutments of the arch. The inscription on the south abutment reads “DISCOV’D BY M. AND MRS. ALEX RINGHOEFFER AND SONS 1922-23.” the inscription has led to some controversy since the name “Ringhoffer” is misspelled and the date 1922-23 is rather strange and cryptic. The Ringhoffer family operated a silver mine in Salt Valley and spent Sundays exploring the surrounding country. The second inscription reads “Minaret Bridge, H.S. Bell 1927.” 
  • Continue to Parallel Arch
  • Continue south to good viewing of the Marching Men, return the way you came

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