Grosvenor Arch
Arch Twin sandstone arch in Grand Staircase landscape
Grosvenor Arch shows paired sandstone openings in southern Utah; off‑road tracks deliver day hikers and photographers to the twin arches inside Grand Staircase country.
Grosvenor Arch is a rare double sandstone arch formation in southern Utah within the Grand Staircase-Escalante region, noted for its two large, closely spaced arches carved into thin sandstone fins.
The formation is reached via unpaved roads off Cottonwood Canyon Road and is a short walk from a small parking area; visitors commonly come for photography and short hikes around the base. It is widely photographed because the two arches frame the sky and surrounding desert landscape in a distinctive way.
The arches are a natural erosional feature formed in sandstone by weathering and erosion over long periods. The site is located on Bureau of Land Management lands within the Grand Staircase-Escalante area.
Grosvenor Arch sits in southern Garfield County, Utah, and is typically accessed from State Route 12 via Cottonwood Canyon Road; the surrounding landscape is high desert with nearby sandstone cliffs and washes.
- Access: A short walk from a small parking area leads to close-up views of the double-arch formation, making it suitable for day visitors with a vehicle capable of handling unpaved roads.
- Feature: The feature is famed for its twin sandstone arches set on narrow fins, a distinct formation compared with single-span arches in the region.
How to Get to Grosvenor Arch #
Grosvenor Arch is located in southern Utah within public lands managed by federal agencies. Access is typically by unpaved roads off state routes; a high-clearance vehicle is recommended for the final approach. The BLM or National Park Service websites provide current access and road-condition information.
Tips for Visiting Grosvenor Arch #
- Drive a high-clearance vehicle on the unpaved approach roads-some routes are rough and sandy.
- The short trail from the parking area is worth the walk-Grosvenor Arch is best seen up close.
- Carry plenty of water; there are no services at the arch itself.
Best Time to Visit Grosvenor Arch #
Spring and autumn provide the most comfortable daytime temperatures for visiting carved sandstone arches.
Weather & Climate near Grosvenor Arch #
Grosvenor Arch's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -8°C to 31°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 5°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -6°C. Light rainfall.
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March
March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -3°C. Light rainfall.
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April
April is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 9°C. The driest month with just 11 mm.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 13°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 12°C. The wettest month with 41 mm of rain.
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September
September is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -4°C. Light rainfall.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 6°C and lows of -8°C. Light rainfall.
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