Joshua Tree National Park

Hike Arch Rock

FamiliesPhotographersQuick Detours
0.2 mi Distance
90 min Estimated Time
loop Trail Type

What to Expect

From the Twin Tanks parking lot, you'll follow a sandy wash eastward through classic Joshua Tree boulder country — massive, rounded granite formations stacked like nature's building blocks on either side of the trail. The path is flat and mostly sandy with some rocky stretches, and the desert sun hits you from every angle. After about half a mile of straightaway, the trail loops into a short circuit through a jumble of house-sized boulders. Take it counterclockwise and you'll spot the namesake arch — a weathered granite window framed against the sky — without having to double back. The whole thing wraps up in well under an hour for most hikers, making it one of the easiest payoffs in the park. Perfect for families, geology nerds, and anyone who wants a signature Joshua Tree photo without breaking a sweat.
FamiliesPhotographersQuick DetoursFirst-Time VisitorsGeology Lovers

Safety Advisory

There is no cell service anywhere in the park and no running water at the trailhead. Tell someone your plans before heading out and carry more water than you think you need.

Summer temperatures regularly push past 110 degrees at trail level. If you must hike in summer, be on the trail before dawn and off it by mid-morning — heat illness in the desert escalates fast and help is far away.

Trail Details

Distance 0.2 miles round-trip
Estimated Time 90 min
Trail Type loop
Pets Not allowed
Season The park can be dangerously hot. If hiking in the summer, get to the trailhead before 10 am and always let a safety buddy know where you are going and when you plan on leaving the park. There is no cell service and no running water. Always check the weather before heading into the park, and consider delaying your hike if the weather conditions are too extreme. 
Trailhead Hike Arch Rock

Pro Tips

Trail Tip

Hike the loop counterclockwise — the arch is much easier to spot from that direction and you won't walk right past it wondering where it is.

Trail Tip

There is zero shade and zero water on this trail. Bring at least a liter per person even though it's short — the desert air dehydrates you faster than you think, especially if you're lingering at the arch for photos.

Trail Tip

Late afternoon light turns the granite formations golden and makes the arch practically glow. Arrive about 90 minutes before sunset for the best photography conditions, and you'll have the trail mostly to yourself after the midday crowds clear out.

Photos

A hiker walking along a barren trail with desert vegetation and small boulders.NPS / Hannah Schwalbe

Getting There

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Explore Joshua Tree National Park

9 campgrounds, 78 trails, 3.0M annual visitors

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