Backway to Tower Arch
Slickrock maze to Utah's most isolated arch
The Backway to Tower Arch throws you into the heart of Arches National Park’s backcountry where GPS goes stupid and cairns disappear into red sandstone chaos. This route follows an old uranium mining track across exposed slickrock, threading between towering fins and crossing washes that can flood without warning. The real challenge isn’t the driving — it’s navigation through the Fiery Furnace maze where every red rock formation looks identical and wrong turns dead-end against 200-foot walls.
Stock 4WD sufficient for the track itself, but navigation skills and paper maps essential when electronics fail in the rock maze. Spring and fall optimal; summer heat reflects off slickrock like a furnace. Park entry fee required but no additional permits for the backway. Carry extra water, recovery gear, and a compass — getting lost here means a long, exposed walk out. Those who find Tower Arch get to camp beneath one of the Southwest’s most spectacular formations with zero crowds.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 7 mi / 11.3 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5200 ft |
| Best season | March-May, September-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD |
| Nearest town | Moab, Utah |
| Land manager | National Park Service |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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