Field Guide: Arch Rock Trail at White Tank Campground

Arch Rock Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a great short hike and one of our most frequent hikes in the summer season due to its short length and infinite beauty. The trail itself is a pretty quick 1.2 mile out and back hike and is clearly marked, which allows us to get some fresh air while not being out in the heat of the day for too long. The trail is located adjacent to White Tank Campground which is also one of our favorite campsites in Joshua Tree National Park. You can lengthen the hike easily if you scramble around in the surrounding rocks!

The trail starts on the southern side of the parking area for Arch Rock Trail. You’ll walk through a short section of the trail before crossing the street. This flat and open part of the trail takes about 10-15 minutes. Then you’ll come across many beautiful rock formations that jut out of the earth alongside of the Joshua Tree’s cousin, the Yucca plant.

Eventually, you come across an arch around 30 feet wide that you can easily climb up to and sit under for sone shade. This is a great place to have a picnic and look out at the rock formations (just remember to pack out everything you’ve brought in). From here, you can either head back down the path, or you can start scrambling through the rock crevices—the most surreal part of the adventure.

If you do decide to scramble off-trail, make sure to remember the path that you came from so you don’t get lost! One easy way to remember the direction that you’ve been hiking is that the lichen (in a beautiful bright yellow/green) predominantly grows on the northern face of the rocks.

Trail Info for Arch Rock Trail

Length
1.2 mile out and back.

How to Access
Use the north entrance of the park in Twentynine Palms and drive about 4.9 miles down Park Blvd, and take a slight left at Pinto Basin Rd. Continue down Pinto Basin Rd for about 2.2 miles and turn right into the parking lot for Twin Tanks and Arch Rock Trail.

What to Bring
The hike at Arch Rock is an easy one and good for all experience levels. Wear a wide brimmed hat, good hiking shoes or sneakers, sunscreen, and as always bring a lot of water (turn around when you’re halfway through your water supply, no matter what!).

Check out some of our other trail guides for North View Trail, Fortynine Palms Oasis, and Willow Hole.

**An earlier edit of this trail guide had suggested parking in White Tank Campground, however that is no longer allowed and there is a parking lot just before getting to White Tank.