Jewel Tibbetts Arch

Jewel Tibbetts Arch near Moab, Utah

During the 2 1/2 years that we lived in Moab, I had never heard of Jewel Tibbetts Arch!  The turn-off for the arch is on highway 313 (the road towards Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point) and I drove past it countless times but never knew the arch was there!  I learned about it when I was researching the different routes to Uranium Arch, so of course I decided I needed to go and see this "new arch."  We visited it in November of 2023.

When heading toward Moab, turn onto highway 313 towards Canyonlands and drive for about 10 miles. You'll see a sign on the right side of the road that says "Jewel Tibbetts Arch."  Turn onto this dirt road and drive for a couple miles until you get to the Jewel Tibbetts Arch trailhead, where you'll have to park.  There are signs - you won't get lost.  The hike is only a couple miles round trip and it's a loop.  There are signs talking about the trail and the arch and the route is very well marked, with lots of cairns along the way.  

The hike is very easy and flat.  When you reach the arch, there is a very deep canyon between the look-out point and the arch.  I couldn't figure out any way to get under the arch, but you do have a great view of it from across the canyon.  We sat at the look-out spot and ate our lunch.  The hike back on the rest of the loop had steep drop-offs, but I did fine on it despite my fear of heights.  The entire hike only took about an hour.  The road is mild and does not require 4wd.  This arch is worth the detour when you're on your way to Dead Horse Point or Canyonlands.

This is the drive from highway 313 to the trailhead for the arch

This sign at the parking lot gives lots of information about the arch and the trail.

This gate is at the beginning of the trail

the very mild trail

cairns marked the trail very well -- it was very easy to follow

You can't see the arch in this photo, but this is the last part of the hike before reaching the lookout for the arch.

One of my hiking apps recorded this route to the viewpoint of the arch.

the hike to the arch

cairns along the way

Someone was very thorough with this cairn

Almost to the lookout for the arch!

the view down into the canyon - you can see the arch in this photo if you notice the light shining through the mountain wall

looking down into the canyon

looking down into the canyon

view of the arch, which almost blends in with the wall behind it

up on the lookout spot

Lizzie taking a lunch rest at the arch lookout

James on the lookout spot.  There are beautiful views in all directions from this spot

views off the cliff from the lookout spot - the arch isn't in this photo, but the light shining through it is

view off the edge of the lookout spot - the arch is in the top of this photo.  Even if we got under the arch, I'm not sure if we could see it from below.  We definitely couldn't see it from above.

This formation is above the arch and to the right, you can see it from far away in the photo below

James and I sharing a kiss with the arch behind us :)

I could not figure out a way to get above the arch either.  I wonder what the view would look like from the other side, though.

Lizzie and the arch

The hike loop

Lizzie and I with Jewel Tibbetts Arch behind us