Tower Arch

Rating: 3
This can be done with a stock SUV, but 4-wheel drive and low range are required. We saw a stock, brand new suburban on this road but they did hit their hitch more than once.

Location
This is located on the northwest end of Arches National Park.

Trailhead
The road is on the left from Highway 191, 4.5 miles south of I-70 at Cresent Junction. It is 24.2 miles from Moab measured from the bridge that crosses the Colorado River. GPS coordinates are 38°52'36.6"N 109°48'44.7"W (38.876827, -109.812422).

Follow this road for 1.3 miles. There is a road to the right that you take to get to Arches National Park. GPS coordinates are 38°53'32.7"N 109°48'02.1"W (38.892423, -109.800592). In 2.6 miles the road will intersect with another road and you keep to the right. This is Salt Valley Road. If you stay on this road you will take it all the way into Arches. This way would be rated a 1-2 depending on recent weather.

Shortly after you cross into the park, there is a road to the right. It is immediately after the road to Klondike Bluffs. Make sure you take the second road. I believe there is a sign saying it takes you to tower arch. The GPS coordinates of this turn are 38°47'43.2"N 109°39'29.1"W (38.795323, -109.658095).

Description:
If you want an easy road for a small crossover, stay on the Salt Valley Road which will take you straight into arches. If you want some mild ledges and the need for 4-wheel drive, take the turn to Tower Arch. There are some fun descents down multiple ledges and rocks that will require careful maneuvering unless you have higher clearance.

The best part about this road is that you get to see a few arches (the two main ones are Tower Arch and Eye of Whale arch) which most people don't get to see. We were here during May, which is a busy season in Moab. When we were at Tower Arch there were only 3-4 other vehicles that were there while we took a long lunch break. The rest of Arches was packed. Driving by the entrance on the way out there was a LONG line of cars waiting to pay the entrance fee.

If you feel bad for not paying an entrance fee, you can stop and pay on your way out. We came in on the Salt Valley Road about 10 years ago and payed on our way out. The ranger was very grateful, but was more surprised, that we actually stopped and paid. I didn't pay this time because I have the annual pass.

Here are the GPX and KML files from our trip.

The joys of trying to get ONE good picture with a 2 year old. She wanted to twirl... The picture above was the first try, the rest just didn't work. Click on the picture to enlarge!