Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch is a natural sandstone arch located inside Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. It is one of the park’s easily reached short-hike features formed by wind and water erosion.

The arch forms a shallow, sheltered alcove that often accumulates sand at its base, creating a small dune-like bowl beneath the span. Its accessible, short trail and gentle terrain make it a popular stop for families and photographers.

The arch’s low, curved opening provides strong foreground framing for photography and offers shaded space that contrasts with exposed formations elsewhere in the park. It is one of many arches in the park but is notable for its dune-like interior.

Sand Dune Arch formed through the erosion of Entrada Sandstone over long geological time scales; repeated weathering and the collapse of adjacent rock led to the creation of the arch and its sheltered cavity.

Located inside Arches National Park, the arch is reached from the park road northeast of Moab, Utah, and is part of the park’s concentration of fins, fins-turned-arches and sculpted sandstone features.

• Short accessible trail: Accessible from the main park road via a short, family-friendly trail that leads into a sheltered sandy bowl beneath the arch.
• Sandstone formation: The arch is carved from Entrada Sandstone, which gives it the characteristic red-orange color common across the park.