Broken Arch

Broken Arch is a natural sandstone arch located inside Arches National Park in eastern Utah. It is a commonly visited formation within the park due to its accessible location and walkable opening.

A short unpaved trail leads from the park road to the arch, typically described as about 1.6 km (1 mile) round trip, and the route allows visitors to pass beneath the arch opening. The site offers close-up views of Entrada Sandstone features and is popular for photography at low sun angles when the stone shows rich color. The arch sits within a broader landscape of fins and spires, so many visitors combine it with nearby short hikes in the same area.

Broken Arch is a product of natural erosion of Entrada Sandstone over long geological time spans. The formation and the surrounding landscape are managed as part of Arches National Park, which protects the region’s rock arches and desert environment.

The arch is located within Arches National Park near the park roadways and trailheads east of Moab, Utah. Arches National Park lies immediately north of the town of Moab and is accessed from the main park entrance roads.

• Trail and access: The Broken Arch area is accessed from Arches National Park roads and requires the park entrance pass; the trail to the arch is a short unpaved route of roughly 1.6 km (1 mile) round trip.
• Best time for photos: You can walk beneath the arch and photograph it at low sun angles, which often give the sandstone warm tones favored at sunset.