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Arch Rock Nature Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.2 (18)
  1. Areas
  2. CA
  3. …Deserts
  4. Joshua Tree National Park
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“An enjoyable nature trail to a unique geologic feature. ”

David Hitchcock
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Google Map
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Map Key

1.3

Miles

2.1

KM

Out and Back

3,913' 1,193 m

High

3,827' 1,166 m

Low

86' 26 m

Up

85' 26 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

5%

Max Grade (3°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly The arch and boulders that are found around the trail offer great scrambling opportunities for the kids. It's an easy trail, and the placards provide information about the geology of the area.

Overview

The Arch Rock Nature Trail is an easy route through the boulder fields found in the White Tank area.

Description

The trailhead for this is in the Twin Tanks Parking Lot. The trail looks like a lollipop, the trail takes you on a relatively straight line to a loop, you'll take the loop and then head back down the trail to the parking lot.

The trail heads down a sandy trail and moves between desert plants and large rock formations. The loop part of the trail has placards signs that provide information regarding what is happening geologically. It moves through a boulder field and cuts around to the right where the arch that the trail is named for comes into view. You can scramble up some rocks and get an up close view of the arch. It's a great area to explore and take photos. Leaving the arch, the trail winds through more boulders until it winds back on itself and leads back to the trailhead. There are stunning views of the surrounding area, and plenty of cacti to explore. For the kids, there are plenty of boulders to scramble up and explore.

As always in Joshua Tree, be careful where you place your hands, as rattlesnakes and scorpions might be hiding from the sun in shaded areas amongst the boulders. Make sure to stay on-trail as it is easy to get lost once off-trail.

Flora & Fauna

There are several varieties of wildflowers and cacti along the trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Joshua Tree National Park

Shared By:

David Hitchcock with improvements by Hannah Bee
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 18 votes

#10

in Joshua Tree National Park

#1334

Overall
  4.2 from 18 votes
5 Star
44%
4 Star
33%
3 Star
22%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#10

in Joshua Tree National Park

#205

in California

#1,334

Overall
20 Views Last Month
2,317 Since Apr 7, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
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Photos

Milky Way over Arch Rock
Feb 1, 2018 near Twentyn…, CA
Milky Way and Arch Rock
Feb 1, 2018 near Twentyn…, CA
Near Arch Rock - Joshua Tree National Park.
May 30, 2016 near Twentyn…, CA
Arch Rock - Joshua Tree National Park.
May 30, 2016 near Twentyn…, CA
Arch Rock!
Mar 19, 2016 near Twentyn…, CA
View from the trail
Mar 15, 2022 near Twentyn…, CA

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 41 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 31, 2024
Chen Zhang
Oct 25, 2023
Adam Meadows
Sep 15, 2023
Dan Shemon
Beautiful arch, lizard, and first Joshua trees! 1.5mi — 0h 45m
Mar 16, 2023
C Ward
Feb 17, 2023
Deacon Klemme
Feb 4, 2023
Peder Bisbjerg
I included the trail out past heart rock; the loop part has no trail! 2.5mi — 1h 30m
Dec 17, 2022
Rubanraj Sekar
Nov 8, 2022
Bob Plagens

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