The Trek in a snapshot
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The Tunnel is located at the end of the third canyon on this trail. You will need to have some decent orientation skills and ability to locate the tunnel as the trail does disappear at times.
Trailhead: 38° 38.954’N, 109° 35.900’W
Cowboy Graffiti: 38.647886°, -109.605981°
The Tunnel: 38° 39.570’N, 109° 36.418’W
Experience. Discover. Explore.
Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!
The Tunnel is a naturally carved tunnel in Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. It is a less traveled hiking route that offers something unique inside the park.
Just park in the small turn off just passed the Courthouse wash. You will cross a bridge (if headed north) and the turn off is on your left side.
The Tunnel is accessed by parking off the road in the small turn off just as you pass The Courthouse (heading towards the north). There is a narrow trail that you can see right from where you park your vehicle. Hike on this trail which follows Courthouse Wash for the majority of the hike.
Just before the first bend that leads you back north, there is a rock with some “cowboy graffiti” from 1917. I have no evidence that this was sketched in 1917 or that it was even created by cowboys but I am calling it “cowboy graffiti” or “cowboy glyphs” because I don’t know what else to call it. It is on a large boulder which is facing south.
The trail winds around just outside of the first two canyons. There isn’t much to see in either of those but if you want to check them out you can.
You will quickly discover that the path will disappear at times. We bushwhacked and even followed a game trail for a little while so you may need to be creative.
Once we arrived at the canyon with the tunnel, which was about 1 mile into the hike, we then went inside the canyon to the very back.
After a little less than a 1/2 mile more of hiking we arrived nearly at the back of it. The Tunnel then will come into view and you will see this nice boulder sitting right below it (pictured in the picture above). It is a little steep as you get up to the entrance but it isn’t that bad at all really. To get inside the entrance you may need to have someone boost you up. If not, there are only a few hand points that are big enough for you hold on to and hoist yourself up. It’s about a 5 ft climb and is tricky without assistance.
I think The Tunnel actually looks more like a nostril!
The tunnel probably goes in about 50 feet or so. You have to crouch a little bit the entire way but it goes through the entire rock.
The other side of the tunnel is a little bit steep but manageable, just be careful.
Personal Thoughts
This is a fun little adventure if you want to do something different that isn't part of the popular Devil's Garden or Delicate Arch trails. It is a great hike!
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I have been to arches many times and did not know about that hike. I will try the next time I go. Thank you
This is a great one, Todd! I think you’ll enjoy it
[…] The Tunnel (Insiders only) […]
I tried to find it last year but was unable to. One of the two rangers on duty at the info station had even heard about it, but neither had a clue as to location. Is it east or west of the road? I went east and while some things seemed right I have the feeling I was on the wrong side of the road.
Hey Mike! Thank you for your comments. I’m not surprised that those two rangers didn’t know anything about this. I asked an Arches Ranger once if they knew of any petroglyphs in the park and they had no idea about the petroglyphs at Wolfe Ranch. It’s funny because even the Park Service publishes these and they are located on the Arches map and along the ultra-popular Delicate Arch Trail.
Finally this year I did find it. First try I was on the correct side of the road, I was in the right pullout, but I took the first trail I saw which was more or less due north. A rockclimbing area or something. Two days later I was back, this time I headed southwest and found it. Unfortunately I missed the part about it being 5 feet up, and hiking alone I wasn’t able to hoist myself up on either side. I was bummed. Oh well, not the first time. I’ve got pictures, but no selfie nor anything that… Read more »
[…] 8. The Tunnel […]