Hiking Sand Dune and Broken Arch
Arches
Overview
Tue
Hi:59 Lo:41 |
Wed
Hi:58 Lo:41 |
Thu
Hi:59 Lo:41 |
Fri
Hi:68 Lo:42 |
Sat
Hi:74 Lo:45 |
| View Full Weather Details | ||||
If you have kids and are visiting Arches National Park, Sand Dune Arch would be one of my top recommendations to stop at. A short hike, shade, sand for the kids to play in, and a nice arch, this hike has it all!
For the more motivated, continuing along and making the loop hike visits Broken Arch, circles through the campground, and returns with great views of close up walls and towers as well as distant views of the La Sal mountains.
Getting There
From the Arches National Park visitor center, follow the Arches Scenic drive 15.9 miles from the visitor center. The trailhead is signed on the right. This is about two miles before the end of the scenic drive and campground, and about a mile before the Skyline Arch trail.
Route
From the trailhead, follow the trail a couple of short minutes to the junction for Sand Dune Arch. This side trail, less than a quarter of a mile round trip, meanders between fins to the impressively hidden Sand Dune Arch. This is a great family destination, particularly on hot days.
Motivated? From the Sand Dune Arch junction, continue along to the loop junction in about 0.3 miles. Going right at the loop junction, Broken Arch comes into view in 5-10 minutes.
From Broken Arch, the trail meanders across open country, then to the Devils Garden Campground. From the campground, go south to the end of the loop road, where the trail picks up again. From the campground, the trail passes near large fins before reaching the Loop Junction again.
Right from the Loop Junction returns to the trailhead.
Maps
| Trailhead |
12S 623072mE 4291625mN N38° 45' 53" W109° 35' 00" |
| Sand Dune Arch Jct |
12S 623170mE 4291679mN N38° 45' 55" W109° 34' 56" |
| Loop Jct |
12S 623294mE 4292168mN N38° 46' 11" W109° 34' 51" |
| Broken Arch |
12S 623554mE 4292390mN N38° 46' 18" W109° 34' 40" |
| Campground |
12S 622756mE 4292687mN N38° 46' 28" W109° 35' 13" |
| Return Loop |
12S 622832mE 4292561mN N38° 46' 24" W109° 35' 10" |