Off-road enthusiasts know it very well: driving a jeep is always very pleasant, but doing it in the middle of a captivating landscape is even more exciting. Among the most suggestive places in the world to “roam around” with a jeep there is certainly the Arches National Park, in Utah.
We will talk about it in depth, taking the opportunity to give you some practical advice that will surely come in handy if you decide to immerse yourself in this adventure.
Off-road trails in the Arches National Park
Arches National Park is quite crowded, but we will suggest a route that will allow you to get away from the crowds and at the same time discover a truly unique landscape.
The departure is from the city of Moab, which makes proximity to several parks its flag. Bikers, hikers and, of course, off-road enthusiasts meet in Moab. On the streets of the town, there will be many jeeps and off-road vehicles that you will encounter. Not everyone knows, however, that it is from Moab that you can start venturing into some of the lesser-known and more fascinating off-road trails of Arches National Park. First, however, it is good to have a couple of practical pieces of information in order to avoid unpleasant surprises.
The necessary equipment
What you need first and foremost is a good four-wheel drive vehicle with good visibility. Do not opt for SUVs or similar vehicles: you would find yourself in great difficulty due to the nature of the sandy and rocky terrain. What you need is a jeep! If you wish, you can also rent one; the possibilities are very numerous. Of course, don’t forget a full tank of fuel, enough water and a good map of the area. Pay attention to the climate: in summer, temperatures inside the park are very high and can reach 40°C. If you can, choose fall or spring to do your tour.
The path up to Tower Arch
The route that we have decided to recommend will lead you to a suggestive rock that stands out in the middle of the surrounding landscape and which takes the form of two natural arches.
The road ahead, or the Tower Arch 4×4 Road, is not the easiest to tackle, especially in its central part and depending on the weather conditions, the road is not always open: you need to inquire at the visitor center before starting.
The route starts, as mentioned, from Moab. Drive from the center of town about 12 miles north on Highway 191. This will bring you to Willow Springs Road. As you do so, you will pass the Archer Visitor Center, the turnoff to Canyonlands National Park, and the Archview Rv Resort. Continue, but be careful not to go as far as the airport: you would have taken the wrong turn. You’ll know you’ve arrived because you’ll see a small road sign pointing to Willow Springs Road. Along it, you will pass through several camping areas and then you will arrive at what was the original entrance to the park: the Willow Springs Entrance.
Before arriving there, continuing on this sandy road (attention: it is not practicable after a sandstorm) we advise you to stop when you see a large sign indicating that you are near the Willow Springs Dinosaur Tracks, a fascinating and evocative place, in where you will see numerous dinosaur footprints. Continuing, you will arrive at the actual park entrance, from which you will have a wonderful view of the LaSal Mountains. After passing a picnic area, you will reach the main road of the park, near which there is a parking lot flanked by two rocks teetering on each other. This paved part of the road is bordered by suggestive and very famous rocks.
After parking at Sand Dune, driving another 7.5 miles, Gravel Salt Creek Road will be on your left. Take this gravel road and go downstream, immersing yourself more in the suggestive atmosphere of the park. This is not a difficult road: in good weather conditions, it is easily passable and will lead you up to the Salt Valley.
After about seven miles, you have two options.
You can reach Tower Arch via the Klondike Bluffs trail, which ends after about a mile. In this case, you can then hike about 3 miles to Tower Arch. Otherwise, you can take the Tower Arch 4WD Road which will save you from hiking.
But be careful: it is a difficult road, very bumpy and with very different slopes. Make sure you have excellent tires and go slowly. At the top, you will notice the road to Tower Arch on your left.
More trails in Utah starting in Moab
As we said, Moab, thanks to its location, is a true crossroads of adventure.
In fact, starting from this town in southwestern Utah, numerous truly exciting routes unfold for off-road lovers.
Here we have collected some of them:
- Shafer Trail: 11.2 mile trail through Canyonland National Park. Suitable for beginners, this route can be an excellent off-road baptism.
- Kane Creek Canyon Trail: much more challenging, but fascinating and characterized by breathtaking views.
Chicken Corners Trail: path that runs alongside the Colorado, very challenging at times, especially due to the altitude. But you certainly won’t miss the adrenaline!