Pets allowed
Not Allowed
Elevation Gain
50.00 ft (15.24 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
0.30 mi (0.48 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Nestled within White Tank Campground lies a fun and short walk to Joshua Tree National Park's natural arch. The arch spans about 30 feet in length and is viewable directly from the trail, but the fun lies in the open space of rocks that you can explore off of the trail. The texture of the rocks is like a gritty sandpaper, which makes walking and climbing on them really easy. These rocks get their shape and texture from weathering that results from moisture being trapped on the rock surface long enough for certain minerals to begin dissolving. Running water and wind then act as agents to wash the sand away. The environment here has been shaping and changing for millions of years. Explore the surroundings at night for an entirely different experience and with no crowds.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring

Congestion

High

Parking Pass

National Park Pass

Pros

Easy, accessible trail. Ample rock scrambling. Off-trail exploring.

Cons

Heavy foot traffic during the day.

Trailhead Elevation

3,800.00 ft (1,158.24 m)

Features

Rock climbing

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Comments

05/28/2018
The trail is not very well marked and it's easy to wander off accidentally. Just follow the crowds (if possible).
02/26/2016
Full moon or new moon, night shooting at arch rock is amazing. Bring a 24 mm or wider lens, with F2.8 or wider aperture for best results. For added drama, light paint the arch and surrounding boulders. A must see at night in JT.
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.