Get sandy on your way to the secluded Sand Dune Arch in Moab, Utah. This short, easy trail is one of the best hikes in Arches National Park for kids, too!
- Distance: 0.4 mile out-and-back
- Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy and kid-friendly!
- Cost: National Park Fees
About This Sandy Arch
The arch is relatively small compared to some of the larger ones in the park. It stands at around 30 feet tall. It is characterized by its sweeping, curved shape and the soft, red-orange sand that fills the area beneath it. The arch is formed from Entrada Sandstone, a type of sedimentary rock that is prevalent in the region.
The sand is deep and fine-grained. You can take your shoes off to feel the cool sand underfoot. Except that’s not recommended in the summer when the sand heats up!
How to Get to Sand Dune Arch Trailhead
From the Visitor Center, drive north on the Arches Scenic Drive. Drive for almost 16 miles, following signs for the Devils Garden Trailhead. Note, Arches requires timed entry tickets from April 1 through October 31, which can be reserved via Recreation.gov.
Hiking to Sand Dune Arch
Sand Dune is the most popular arches as it is just 0.3 miles from the scenic drive with its own parking area. The trail leading to the arch starts at a parking lot 1.5 miles before the end of the road at Devils Garden.
The path takes you through a sandy-floored ravine between vertical rocks, leading to the arch, which is named after a pile of soft, wind-blown sand underneath it.
It’s shady, cool, and a quick trip, so it’s a relief in the hotter months. Plus, Sand Dune is a great option for young families to play in this huge sandbox or for hikers seeking shorter trails and viewpoints.
Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trail
Many people hike from Sand Dune Arch to Broken Arch for a 1.2 mile round trip trail that takes about an hour to complete. Broken Arch isn’t actually broken, yet. The rock is located high above a forest of juniper and pinon trees.
If you continue from Sand Dune Arch, you’ll walk across a grassland section to reach the stone arch. Or, you can start the trail at the Broken Arch Trailhead by the Devils Garden Campground and make it a loop trail. Doing this would make it a 2.3 mile moderately challenging trek for 1.5 hours.
Devils Garden to Sand Dune Arch
If you’re staying at Devils Garden Campground, you can walk to Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, Skyline Arch, and Tapestry Arch fairly easily. Many arches within the park are located in this general area, not even including the 8 along Devils Garden Trail.
There is no trail that directly connects Devils Garden to Sand Dune Arch. However, you can walk one of these two options:
- From the Devils Garden Trailhead along the Campground Road to the Broken Arch Trailhead and continue on that until you reach Sand Dune Arch for a 1.8 mile trail that’ll take about 40 minutes.
- From the Devils Garden Trailhead along Arches National Park Road, past Skyline Arch and to Sand Dune Arch Trailhead on the left for a 1.5 mile hike that’ll take about 30 minutes.
Skyline Arch
A short distance away is another quick out-and-back trail to Skyline Arch. You can even see it from the main road, so if you’re too tired from your hikes, feel free to sit this one out and just take in the sights from the car.
The hike to Skyline Arch is well maintained and about 0.4 miles. The path is gently sloped uphill to start and then evens out as you reach the base of the arch situated in a high rock wall.
