One thing I love about Arches National Park is there are several short yet spectacular hikes. The hike to Turret Arch is one of them. This hike doesn’t require much of your vacation time but still has that WOW factor you’ll remember long after the trip!
You may actually be more familiar with Turret Arch’s neighbors – the North and South Windows, aka the Spectacles. And while the Windows might be the more well known kids on the block, don’t discount Turret Arch.
The trail to Turret Arch is a short spur off the Windows Loop Trail. The whole loop trail is only a little over a mile with minimal elevation gain, so it is quite family friendly. While Turret Arch is purported to be smaller than the Windows, it didn’t seem that way to me. Perhaps its the arch’s vertical shape that makes it seem so massive.
The path to Turret Arch includes an easy set of stairs. Once you reach the top, you can walk through the arch and view it from the other side. This is a great place to just sit and enjoy the scenic view of rock formations and the La Sal Mountains.
Turret Arch is a castle-like rock formation which actually contains two significant openings. While walking through the large arch, you’ll notice a second smaller opening. The smaller more circular arch is adjacent to the large vertical one.
While Turret Arch might not be the most famous arch in Arches National Park, it is one of the one of the most dramatic. Standing under this massive rock formation you can appreciate its scale while taking in outstanding views of this unique National Park.
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