Natural Arch Trail: What to Know Before You Go
Natural Arch Trail follows Fire Canyon Wash for roughly 2.5 miles round trip, revealing numerous small arches — mostly wind-eroded window-holes in the canyon walls, some stable, some visibly weathering away. This is a genuinely different trail from the short roadside Arch Rock feature near the campground — don't confuse the two. Like several other Valley of Fire trails, it closes every summer for heat safety. Welcome to Natural Arch Trail, a real wash hike with a payoff that appears gradually rather than all at once.
Before You Go: This trail is closed annually from May 15 through September 30 for heat safety, along with several other Valley of Fire trails. It reopens around October 1. This closure does NOT apply to Arch Rock, a separate, much shorter (0.1 mile) roadside feature near the campground. Check parks.nv.gov for current status.
Trail Snapshot
Distance | Approximately 2.5 miles round trip
Elevation | ~100 ft net change along the route
Difficulty | Moderate
Hike Time | About 1.5 to 2 hours
Fee | $10 per vehicle (Nevada plates), $15 per vehicle (non-Nevada)
Restrooms | None at the trailhead
Pets | Allowed
Elevation | ~100 ft net change along the route
Difficulty | Moderate
Hike Time | About 1.5 to 2 hours
Fee | $10 per vehicle (Nevada plates), $15 per vehicle (non-Nevada)
Restrooms | None at the trailhead
Pets | Allowed
How to Reach the Trailhead
Park in the lot on the north side of the main road, about 3/4 mile from the East Entrance, across from the Clark Memorial — look for a kiosk with a map, since there's no trailhead sign. No restrooms and no camping here. Standard entrance fee applies.
What to Expect on the Trail
The entire hike follows Fire Canyon Wash — sandy walking with two scramble-able spillovers around the 1-mile mark (equestrian users have a separate bypass). Rather than one single named arch, this trail reveals numerous small arches along the canyon walls as you walk, with no single defined endpoint.
An Exploratory Wash Walk
The lack of a single fixed destination and the numerous small arches give this trail an exploratory feel compared to more straightforward out-and-back trails. Wind-eroded window-holes appear throughout the canyon walls, some stable, some visibly deteriorating.
Best Time to Visit and Conditions
Closed May 15 through September 30 every year; October through April is the accessible window.
Practical Advice for New Visitors
- Bring at least 2 to 3 liters of water per person.
- Wear sturdy shoes for sandy wash walking and scramble sections.
- Bring an offline map, since there's no trailhead sign.
- Confirm current open status before you go.
- Don't confuse this with the separate, much shorter Arch Rock feature.
- Watch footing at the two spillover scrambles around the 1-mile mark.
- Closed May 15 through September 30 every year.
- The arches appear gradually along the whole wash, not at one endpoint.
For hikers who enjoy a wash walk with a payoff that reveals itself gradually rather than at one endpoint, Natural Arch Trail is a rewarding, less crowded option once the season allows it. Watch the canyon walls throughout your walk, and enjoy discovering each arch as you go.
