The Second Best Trail In Arches National Park Red Around the World

Not every great trail gets the spotlight it deserves. Some hide in plain sight, quietly waiting for the right hikers to find them. Tower Arch Trail in Arches National Park is exactly that kind of place.

Most visitors rush to Delicate Arch. It's iconic, sure, but it's also crowded, hot, and honestly a bit predictable. Tower Arch offers something different. It gives you raw desert scenery, dramatic rock formations, and a sense of genuine solitude. You won't be elbowing strangers for a photo.

This is the second best trail in Arches National Park Red Around the World, and it earns that title. It rewards hikers who are willing to look beyond the obvious. If you're planning a trip to Arches and want more than a postcard moment, this trail deserves a serious spot on your list.

Arches National Park Reservations

Before you even think about lacing up your boots, check the reservation system. Arches National Park requires timed entry permits during peak season. This usually runs from April through October. Missing this step means you could drive hours only to be turned away at the gate.

The National Park Service manages reservations through Recreation.gov. Permits typically open months in advance, so early planning matters. Slots fill up fast, especially on weekends. A Wednesday or Thursday visit gives you a better shot at availability.

The reservation covers entry into the park. It does not guarantee a specific trailhead parking spot. Tower Arch Trailhead sits in the Klondike Bluffs area. This section is more remote, which naturally means fewer people competing for parking. Still, arriving early is always a smart move in any national park.

If you miss the timed entry window, walk-in permits sometimes open up the day before. Check the Recreation.gov app regularly. Cancellations do happen, and persistence pays off more often than you'd expect.

Where Is the Tower Arch Trailhead in Arches?

Tower Arch Trailhead sits in the Klondike Bluffs section of Arches National Park. This area is in the park's northern region, away from the main tourist corridor. Getting there requires driving on a dirt road. The road is roughly 7.5 miles long and connects to the main park road near the Salt Valley Overlook turnoff.

The dirt road is generally passable for most high-clearance vehicles. Standard passenger cars can sometimes make it during dry conditions, but don't push your luck. After rain, the road becomes slick clay. It turns slippery fast and can strand vehicles easily. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out.

This trailhead location is part of what makes Tower Arch so special. Most visitors never bother with the dirt road. That filters out the casual crowd immediately. By the time you park and start hiking, you've already done something the majority of Arches visitors never do. That sense of earning the experience sticks with you throughout the hike.

Google Maps does recognize the trailhead, so navigation is straightforward. Cell service in this area can be spotty, though. Download an offline map before leaving the main road. It only takes a minute and saves a lot of frustration.

How Long Is the Tower Arch Trail in Arches?

Tower Arch Trail covers approximately 3.4 miles as an out-and-back route. The total elevation gain sits around 420 feet. Those numbers sound modest, but the terrain adds complexity. You're crossing sandy washes, scrambling over slickrock, and moving through open desert with little shade.

The average hiker completes the trail in about two to three hours. This includes stopping for photos, taking breaks, and spending time at the arch itself. Faster hikers can finish in under two hours. Slower, more exploratory hikers might stretch it to four.

There's also a longer loop option that adds distance and variety. This route goes through more of the Klondike Bluffs landscape. It takes longer but shows you a broader slice of the terrain. Most first-time visitors stick with the standard out-and-back.

Trail markers exist but are not always obvious. Cairns guide the way across open rock sections. Pay attention to them, especially in the middle portion of the hike. It's easy to drift off course when the path blends into the surrounding sandstone.

Is the Tower Arch Trail Hard?

Tower Arch Trail is rated as moderate. It's not a beginner trail, but experienced day hikers will handle it without much trouble. The challenge comes from the terrain type rather than raw elevation. Sand slows you down. Slickrock requires focus. The open desert exposure demands respect.

Heat is the real variable here. Summer temperatures in Arches routinely exceed 100°F. The Klondike Bluffs area offers virtually no shade. Hiking this trail in July at noon is genuinely dangerous. Most seasoned desert hikers start before 7 a.m. to beat the worst heat.

Water is non-negotiable. Carry at least two liters per person, more in hot weather. There's no water source on the trail. Dehydration sneaks up on people faster than they expect in dry desert air.

Footwear matters more than people think. Trail runners or hiking boots with good grip perform well on slickrock. Sandals and flat-soled sneakers make the rocky sections unnecessarily difficult. A trekking pole helps on uneven terrain, particularly on the descent back to the trailhead.

Children and older adults can complete this trail under the right conditions. Cool weather, early starts, and proper gear make a significant difference. The trail is not technical enough to exclude beginners, but it asks more of you than a paved path.

Is the Tower Arch Trail Worth It?

Absolutely, yes. Tower Arch is one of the most rewarding hikes in the entire park. The arch itself stands 92 feet tall. Its base stretches roughly 105 feet wide. Those dimensions are hard to appreciate until you're standing directly beneath it. The scale is genuinely humbling.

What makes Tower Arch special beyond the size is the setting. You reach it after crossing a beautiful desert landscape. The approach builds anticipation naturally. When the arch finally comes into view, it feels like a discovery rather than a destination you simply walked to.

The crowd situation alone justifies the effort. Delicate Arch regularly draws hundreds of people at once. Tower Arch might have a dozen visitors on a busy day. You can sit quietly beneath it. You can take photos without strangers in every frame. That experience is increasingly rare in popular national parks.

The Klondike Bluffs backdrop adds another layer of visual interest. The red rock fins and formations surrounding the arch create a dramatic frame. Photographers love this trail for that exact reason. Morning light hits the arch beautifully. Late afternoon creates warm, saturated tones that look stunning on camera.

Honestly, the only reason this trail sits at number two rather than number one is the access road. That single barrier keeps many visitors away. For those willing to drive the dirt road and show up prepared, Tower Arch delivers an experience that rivals anything else in the park.

Conclusion

Tower Arch Trail doesn't need a massive marketing campaign. It speaks for itself once you're standing beneath that arch in the quiet of the Klondike Bluffs. The second best trail in Arches National Park Red Around the World earns its reputation every single time.

Plan ahead with reservations, respect the terrain, and go early in the day. Bring more water than you think you need. Drive carefully on the dirt road. Do all that, and you'll walk away with one of the best hiking memories you've made in years.

Arches has plenty of famous sights. Tower Arch is the one worth seeking out.