Day Hike

Babylon Arch Trailhead

Desert arch hike with river access and red rock scrambling for adventurous souls

(120)

$$$$Hurricane, UT

About

This isn't your typical groomed trail with clear signage and handrails. Babylon Arch delivers raw desert hiking through stunning red rock country, complete with sandy slopes, boulder scrambling, and a payoff that includes both a natural arch and access to the Virgin River. The trail starts easy enough through desert brush before things get interesting among the rock formations.

Trail Challenges and Rewards

The final approach involves a steep sandy descent that'll have you sliding more than walking (and dreading the climb back up). But once you're down there, you've got options:

Explore the arch itself
Cool off in the river
Poke around the old buildings near the water

Dogs love it here, and while some folks bring their kids, this isn't a stroller-friendly jaunt. Little ones who are used to hiking will do fine, but expect some challenging sections.

Getting There

Finding the trailhead can be its own adventure. Google Maps might lead you to Sand Cove instead (also beautiful, for what it's worth). Look for actual Babylon Arch signs, and know that a high-clearance vehicle helps for the approach road. Some visitors drive all the way to the river access if they've got 4WD.

About 30 minutes from Hurricane puts you at one of those lesser-known spots that locals love. While everyone else is fighting crowds at the big-name trails in Zion, you're out here with maybe a handful of other hikers, earning your views the old-fashioned way. Spring and fall offer the best conditions, with May being particularly nice if you want to take a dip in the river.

Best Time to Hike Babylon Arch

Spring (March through May) is the strongest window — temperatures are manageable, the desert terrain is at its most visually striking, and the Virgin River at the bottom is accessible for wading if you reach it. Fall (September through October) is equally reliable. Summer heat on this exposed BLM terrain is intense, and the sandy slope becomes significantly more punishing in mid-day conditions; early morning starts before 8 a.m. are important if you visit in warm months. Winter is mild at this lower elevation but can bring unpredictable river conditions. Morning light on the red rock formations provides the best photography of any season.

Trail Tips for Babylon Arch

Download an offline GPS track or topo map before leaving cell service — signage is limited in the field and misdirection is common enough to add meaningful time to your outing.
The sandy descent to the arch looks easier than the return climb; pace yourself going down and allow more time and energy than you expect for the hike back out.
Carry substantially more water than the route length suggests — the exposed terrain, route-finding effort, and steep climbing combine to make this more demanding than distance alone indicates.
Regional cyanobacteria concerns affect the Virgin River in this area; if you access the water at the bottom, avoid submerging your head and do not filter river water for drinking.

Getting There

The trailhead sits on BLM land roughly 30 minutes from Hurricane with no shuttle system and no staffed entrance. Navigation requires care — mapping apps have directed visitors to a different nearby area rather than the Babylon Arch trailhead specifically. Look for trailhead signage and verify your route before departure. A high-clearance vehicle helps on the unpaved approach road; some visitors with four-wheel drive continue closer to the river. There are no facilities at the trailhead, so arrive prepared for a self-sufficient outing.

What to Expect on Babylon Arch Trailhead

Babylon Arch is an ungroomed desert route on BLM land near Hurricane — not a marked trail with maintained signage, but a path through red rock country that rewards hikers comfortable navigating without guided infrastructure. The terrain opens through desert brush before reaching stone formations where the canyon character takes over. The final approach to the arch involves a steep sandy descent, which reverses into a tiring climb on the return. At the bottom, the route delivers both the natural arch and access to the Virgin River, where old structures near the water add historical texture to the stop. This is a route for hiking-capable groups; the steep sandy sections are not suited to young children or those who need easy, predictable footing.

Trail Features

Pet Friendly

Reviews (120)

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4.5

120 reviews

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Gary Hansen

10 months ago

This is an amazing hike IF you don’t get lost just trying to find the trailhead! We missed it on our first attempt and we discovered that it’s common for people to be confused by Google maps and some signs. Navigation tips: (1) The trailhead is located within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area (2) Pass the Toquerville Mine Trailhead, that’s not it! (3) Don’t follow the signs for Historic Babylon, that’s not it either! (4) DO go to the Sand Cove Trailhead. That’s where most people will park. (5) If you have an ATV or 4X4, you can continue to the Sand Cove Primitive Camping Area. See map sign at the Sand Cove Trailhead. Along the road you’ll see a couple of signs advising to watch for Desert Tortoises. We had been hoping to see one in the area but never did…until this trip! It was just making its way down the road and could easily have been smashed by a vehicle if someone wasn’t watching. We were honored that he chose to be there that particular day (see video). It was a rare and special experience for us. For those who found the trailhead but could not find the actual arch location, Google maps had it slightly off. I was able to get Google to correct it and now it’s accurate! The trail is fairly well marked with the brown markers. If you’re hiking a while and don’t see a marker, you probably took a wrong turn somewhere. But don’t panic, you probably won’t get lost and can easily get back on course! Have fun!

Michelle Pyper

a year ago

We followed this on Google maps but wasn’t clear. The place it lead us wasn’t the same place with signs saying Babylon Arch. It was sand cove trailhead. It was 1.5 miles in and out. It lead us to beautiful scenery of a valley of red rocks. So beautiful! Fun places to take photos too. You do have to drive a long dirt road to get there. Be prepared for that. Watch the road changes because it can lead you to an ATV trail.

Shari Shumway

6 years ago

Moderate trail... not easy and Not a “kid friendly” hike for little kids. Is doable for kids who love hiking and I recommend backpacking babies/toddlers. There are some very steep sandy parts that are pretty difficult to climb. We went the beginning of May and it was perfect for swimming in the river after the hike. But if you are going to just see the Babylon arch then I would suggest going in early spring or even the winter months. This hike is not very well marked at all and is is very easy to get off track and make your hiking trip longer than needs be. It is very beautiful and the arch is awesome! Loved how it wasn’t too busy and everyone we came across were super friendly and helpful! Be smart and plan ahead with a trail map of some sort. *And make sure you take plenty of water with you!!

Jonathan Sullivan

4 years ago

The opening part of the hike over to the primitive campsite is just an easy stroll through brush. After that, it gets a little more interesting while it winds its way through rock formations and outcroppings. The last tenth of a mile or so is straight down a significant sand slope that, unfortunately, you have to climb back up to get out. The arch is hiding at the bottom of one of those, with its side to you so it just looks like a large rock; walk around the side of it.

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