Sand Dune Arch Trail
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Sand Dune Arch is one of over 2,000 naturally occurring sandstone arches in Arches National Park.
The Sand Dune Arch Trail is my favorite short hike in Arches National Park, as it is easily accessible for most people and has a lot of adventure for such a short hike. Not only will kids enjoy playing in the sand, but most visitors will welcome the shade and cooler temperatures from the shade the rows of sandstone fins provide.
From the parking lot to Sand Dune Arch is less than 2/10 of a mile. It also makes a great hike in the summer months as the section of sandstone fins provides plenty of shade and cooler temperatures in the summer months. Having said that, the best time for photography is in the morning for both light and getting to the arch before it gets very busy.
Sand Dune Arch Trail Options
Sand Dune Arch Trail Round Trip from Sand Dune Arch Trailhead Parking Area
Distance: 0.3 Miles Round-trip out and back trail
Elevation Gain/Loss: 125 feet
Time: 15 minutes to a half-hour
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
ADA Accessible: No
Pets: No pets are allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in National Parks. Only dogs are classified as service animals, and they must perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals.
Trailhead Location: Make a right turn into the trailhead at MP 16 of the 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive to Devils Garden Trailhead and Campground.
From the trailhead, the trail quickly splits into two directions. The trail straight ahead leads to Broken Arch, so make sure to take the trail to the right. This short spur trail is in between two large sandstone fins, giving the feeling of a narrow slot canyon. At one point, the trail narrows to the point where you may have to wait for hikers to go back out from Sand Dune Arch before proceeding. The sandstone rock turns to soft sand as you continue up the canyon for a short distance. Sand Dune Arch appears shortly afterward on the right side.
It can be a challenge to get a photograph of the arch without other park visitors as this has become a very popular arch to see. Also, remember not climb or jump off the Arch as they are protected resources.
Once you are done enjoying this arch, simply hike back to your vehicle at the trailhead. Don't be surprised to see cars waiting in the parking lot to pull out to take your spot as you finish the trail.
Park Ranger John Pro Tip
Here are 5 great reasons that I highly recommend getting a campsite at Arches National Park.
- Great evening programs in the amphitheater with up-close views of Skyline Arch
- You are not required to get a timed entry ticket if you are camping in Arches.
- You can easily walk over to Devils Garden Trailhead and avoid trying to find a parking space for one of the park's most popular hikes
- You can walk over to the Sand Dune, Broken Arch, and Tapestry Arch trail by the restroom across from campsite #40
- Enjoy beautiful views of the La Sal Mountains
Distance: 2.3 Mile loop trail Roundtrip
Elevation Gain/Loss: 60 feet
Time: Approx. one hour
Difficulty: Moderate
ADA Accessible: No
Pets: No pets are allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in National Parks. Only dogs are classified as service animals, and they must perform a specific task that assists a person with a disability. Emotional support or comfort animals are not service animals.
Trailhead Location: The trailhead is on MP 16 of the 18-mile Arches Scenic Drive to Devils Garden Trailhead and Campground.
Begin by hiking the Sand Dune Arch Trail described above. The only difference is that instead of turning back to the trailhead after seeing Sand Dune Arch, turn right towards Broken Arch. This portion is in the open, and you will actually see Broken Arch for quite a distance as you approach it.
The funny part is that the arch is not broken, it just appears to be broken when viewed at the right angle. I love this trail because it is not nearly as crowded as most trails have become at Arches.
From Broken Arch, continue straight to Tapestry Arch.
Keep a lookout for the sign that points you to Tapestry Arch.
If you miss the cutoff, you will end up in the Devils Garden Campground by the restroom.
This is not a problem; it just gives you a restroom break opportunity.
You can incidentally start this hike right here if you are camping at the Devils Garden Campground, which will save you from having to look for a parking space at the trailhead.
Begin the trail by the restroom across the street from campsites 39 and 40.
The trail runs slightly downhill and will run into a sign that directs you to the left for Tapestry Arch and the right for Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch.
You will go to the left for maybe 100 yards before Tapestry Arch comes into sight.
This arch is unique for the fact it looks like three arches but only the center one is an arch. This look gives its name of Tapestry Arch.
From here, walk back to the intersection and go the opposite direction back towards Broken Arch then Sand Dune Arch to complete your hike.
Arches National Park Tours
Arches 4X4 adventure from Moab: Remote Arches & Dinosaur Tracks
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-5 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
This is for anyone who wants to see Arches but doesn't want to deal with the parking nightmare or hike in a pack of 50 people. Your guide picks you up right from your Moab hotel, drives you into the remote sections of the park, and shows you arches like Tower Arch, Marching Men, and Eye of the Whale that most visitors don't even know exist.
The best part? You leave through the back exit and stop to see actual fossilized dinosaur tracks. Not a replica, not a museum display... the real thing embedded in stone.
👉 Book Your Spot Now: These tours sell out fast during busy months, so grab your date while it's open.
Private Guided Hike in Arches National Park: Six Hours at Your Own pace
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Six hours with a guide who actually knows what they're looking at. They pick you up in Moab, take you to the park's best formations, and explain how all of this happened. How sand dunes turned to stone millions of years ago. How wind and water carved them into the fins, arches, and canyons you're standing in front of.
It's the difference between taking photos and actually understanding what you're seeing.
Since it's private, you go at your own pace. Want to spend 20 minutes getting the perfect shot? Go for it. Need to slow down on the uphill sections? No problem. It's your tour.
👉 Reserve Your Private Hike: Private tours need advance notice, especially if you've got specific dates in mind.
Canyonlands and Arches National Parks Airplane Tour: Two Parks in 80 Epic Minutes
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1 hour 20 minutes | ✈️Check Rates and Availability
Look at the reviews on this one. Seriously, go read them. People are not exaggerating.
You meet at Canyonlands Field Airport and fly over both parks while your pilot points out everything below: Upheaval Dome, the spot where the Colorado and Green Rivers come together, Landscape Arch, Fisher Towers, Devil's Garden, the Maze. Places that would take days of hardcore hiking to reach on foot, if you could even get to them at all.
In 80 minutes, you see more of these parks than most people see in a week. And from up there, you get why the landscape looks the way it does. The patterns and scale make sense in a way they just don't from the ground.
👉 Book Your Flight: Limited seats and weather restrictions mean you need to book ahead.
See all available tours at Arches National Park here.
Arches National Park Lodging
There are no National Park Lodges within Arches National Park.
The majority of lodging options can be found in and around Moab, Utah 5 miles Southeast of the parks entrance.
⭐️ 4.5 of 5 Stars - Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Moab - Click here for Rates and Availability.
We have stayed here many times and really like staying at this hotel. There is easy access to the main road into Moab and to Arches. The pool area is amazing and the hotel has great amenities.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Under Canvas Moab - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Stay in luxury safari tents under the stars. This is an amazing place to spend time soaking in the red rocks and epic views.
⭐️ 4.6 of 5 Stars - Moab Resort - Click here for Rates and Availability.
look forward to a firepit, a playground, and a 24-hour gym. Stay connected with in-room Wi-Fi (surcharge).
Click on this link or the map below to see additional lodging options near Arches NP.
Arches National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $30.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $25.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $15.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $55.00, Admits the pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
Non-commercial Groups (ex. scouts, a club, a church)
$30.00 for Non-Commercial Group with vehicle capacity of 15 or less.
$ 15.00 per person, not to exceed $40.00 for Non-Commercial Group with a vehicle capacity of 16-25
$ 15.00 per person, not to exceed $100.00 for Non-Commercial Group with a vehicle capacity of 25+
Commercial Tours
If you are providing these services, you must have a current, signed commercial use authorization to enter the park.
- Road-based commercial tours
- Guided Day Hikes
- Photography Instruction
For more information on commercial use authorizations, permit fees, and commercial entrance fees, visit this site.
If you are driving a bus in Arches, please click here for more information.
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Arches National Park Timed Entry Tickets
Arches National Park will not implement a timed entry reservation system in 2026. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, explore lesser-traveled areas if certain locations are busy, and be flexible when enjoying the park.
Arches National Park Resources
Arches National Park - Complete Guide to Exploring Arches National Park
Things To Do Arches - List of popular activities in Arches National Park you won't want to miss
Devils Garden Campground - Complete Guide to planning a camping trip to Arches National Park, including how to make reservations
Arches National Park Hiking Guide - List of hiking trails in Arches National Park with details on each trail
Devils Garden Trail - Guide to hiking the Devils Garden Trail in Arches National Park
Additional National Park sites near Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park (Utah) - Complete guide to discovering Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park (Utah) - Complete Guide to Exploring Capitol Reef National Park
Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado) - Complete Guide to Exploring Mesa Verde National Park
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado) - Complete guide to discovering Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Colorado National Monument - Guide to exploring Colorado National Monument
Dinosaur National Monument - Guide to exploring Dinosaur National Monument
Natural Bridges National Monument - Guide to exploring Natural Bridges National Monument
Currecanti National Recreation Area - Guide to exploring Currecanti National Recreation Area
Hovenweep National Monument - Complete guide to exploring Hovenweep National Monument
Additional State Parks and attractions near Arches
Check out all of the National Parks in Utah, along with neighboring Colorado National Parks, Idaho National Parks, Wyoming National Parks, Nevada National Parks, Arizona National Parks, and New Mexico National Parks.
National Park Service Website
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