Eye of the Whale

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Status:	Open
Typically Open:	Year Round
Length:	9.48 miles
Highest Elevation:	5086 feet
Duration:	About 2 hours, 15 minutes
Shape of Trail:	Straight Through
Best Direction to Travel:	North
Nearest Town:	Moab
Nearest Town w/ Services:	Moab
Official Road Name:	Eye of the Whale
Management Agency:	National Parks Service
District:	Arches National Park

Highlights

Situated inside Arches National Park, this four-wheel drive trail is a must do for desert scenery, some amazing arches which seem to defy any other type of landscape in the US, and escaping the crowds in the busy park. This jeep trail gets you right up close to one famous arch called The Eye of the Whale, plus it puts you on the road to Tower Arch and Anniversary Arch. This is a very scenic trail with a few challenges for stock vehicles that provides many picturesque opportunities for those with an eye for photography. Combining this with Tower Arch makes for just over a half day of exploring and seeing the sights that most people don't take the time go see.

Video

Route Information

Technical Rating

( MODERATE )

Waypoints

1. Trailhead (0 mi)

The trailhead starts just under 2 miles off of the Tower Arch trailhead to the south. It is worth your time to head out to Tower Arch and snap a few pictures before continuing on to Eye of the Whale Arch

Directions to Trailhead

Starting Point: Arches National Park Entrance Gate, Utah

From the park entrance simply follow the main park road to Salt Valley Road. Follow Salt Valley Road for 7.2 miles until the trailhead for Tower Arch. You must then run Tower Arch 1.9 miles to Waypoint 7.

Camping

Designated

Trail Reviews (14)

Questions & Answers (2)

Q: What's it like to do this trail from south to north? I've done quite a bit of off-roading/overlanding. 3rd gen 4Runner w/rear e-locker, OME 2.5" lift, 32" Discoverer S/T Maxx tires. Thanks

–Eric (07/13/2021)

–Overlanders (07/14/2021)

Q: Any chance this can be done in a dually? I have a large pickup truck for hauling a camper and want to do some super easy offroading.

–Doug Setzer (05/31/2017)

–TJ Bosworth (06/01/2017)

Writer Information

TJ Bosworth

Mapping Crew - Utah

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, he's only been off-roading since he was 16 but fell in love immediately. He attended college in Denver for Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management and wheeled in Colorado for 4 years, but ended up moving back home to Salt Lake City. He currently works in an off-road shop and spends his free time doing anything he can to stay busy, which is usually working on his jeep or playing music. Outside of off-roading, he is an avid whitewater rafter and outdoor cook. Camping at least every other weekend in any season is a normal year. The further from civilization, the better. Bring on the memories!

Moab, Utah (Grand County)