Willow Springs Road - Back Way into Arches National Park - 4x4, off road, Jeep, Moab, Dinosaur track

Willow Springs Road will lead you from Hwy 191 in Moab to the paved road in Arches National Park. This is a great option if you want a unique scenic drive, fewer people, a chance to see dinosaur tracks, and maybe even a chance to see your own arch.
This video gives you all of the details, and road guidance, for this trail. We also take a detour to Eye of the Whale Arch and show that in this video.

[@Charles-my9uf]

Glad to see a video with someone talking about the area that they're in thank you

[@Solo-Road]

I took this road yesteryday in a stock 2007 4runner, Cooper Discoverer tires. I had one minor scrape, pretty sure it was the mud flap. It was a fun trip with a few spots where I dedinitely had to take it slow. Thanks for sharing this video.

[@RVHomeschool]

Glad to hear the route is still open. I hear they are putting in a state park over here somewhere.

[@Solo-Road]

@@RVHomeschool No trace of that when I was there.

[@davidmahan4160]

Thank you for a great video, good clear advice, very informative 👍 😊

[@stampedeoverland6987]

This is a great resource! Thanks for putting the time in to making it!

[@RVHomeschool]

You are welcome. I recently heard they are making part of this into a state park - which will change things. Not sure the timeline on that. Just check before you go.

[@scootypuffjr.]

My daughter and i did this road last Tuesday in a stock FJ Cruiser. We did air down only because it was really washboard-y. So much more comfy at a lower pressure. Plus my daughter is 10 and loves to help air down, lol

[@RVHomeschool]

I need to start making our 10 & 11 year old help out more. Maybe they will like airing down too.

[@mikerobbins5049]

Moab is so awesome. We really miss our adventures around the area. We went about 8 yrs in a row then 2019 taking care of a aged and ailing mother prevent us making the trek then Covid and now still dealing with aged and ailing mother.... We did Tower Arch from within Arches one year There were several places where lockers were needed...

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks for the advice that Tower Arch needs lockers. We will avoid that one with our current Jeep.

[@mikerobbins5049]

@@RVHomeschool there was one spot in particular I remember. I used them and it was easy. You might be able to make it. It also depends on which direction you are going. We were headed out of Arches to Tower Arch

[@Garuda1415]

"Overview of Willow Springs Designated Dispersed Camping Please note that the Willow Springs area is the location of the new UtahRaptor State Park. This area is undergoing changes and construction of the new park may begin in summer of 2022. Once construction begins the area will no longer be available for camping, but prior to this there will be a $15 nightly fee for its use. Please respect all signed area closures and camp only at existing fire rings."

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you for the update. I heard it was planning to become a state park.

[@anthonymrskipt9252]

Enjoying your various videos! I would suggest that Willow Springs Rd just before the crossover into Arches may be a bit more robust than you’ve suggested. It’s only maybe 1/10th-1/4 mile at most, but the scrapes are testimony to the need for probably more than stock clearance for many vehicles. Doable, but you need to be careful and pay attention to lines. The up-and-over from Tower Arch to Salt Valley Rd is the reason for the “Difficult” rating on that trail. The rest is the same as what you saw to Eye of the Whale Arch (absolutely worth the trip). That said, while your Jeep would likely have been fine for that part of the trail, it’s definitely way more of a (fun) challenge than the rest of the trail. Thanks for the great videos!

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks for the feedback. I recently heard they are making the Willow Springs area into a state park so I’m not sure we’ll be able to do this trail next time we head to Arches. Although, I suppose we could still come into Tower Arch from the north.

[@anthonymrskipt9252]

@@RVHomeschool - Perhaps it will just require the UT State Park pass? Definitely a great way into Arches and the Eye of the Whale is one of my favorite arches, so far, anyway.

[@brunnie]

This area is now Utahraptor State Park so there will be an entrance fee. Camping is now only in developed campsites while in the state park area. In 2018 I was able to drive from Salt Valley Road to Tower Arch then out to Balanced Rock in a stock 2011 Nissan Xterra. I did not need lockers, just carefully picked my lines.

[@amrunner4]

I wonder how they handle entry into the park via routes like this. Are timed entry permits solely for the main entrance? Would you need any special park permit to enter via this route? Posted in September of 2023

[@RVHomeschool]

We didn’t go by a ranger station or anything to enter this way. We do have a parks pass that we display on our rear view mirror (so the fee was paid). Not sure there is enough traffic to where they worry about timed entry. That’s what made this trail a nice option if it was packed at the main entrance.

[@stevebailey7633]

I believe that Willow Springs was once the only road into what was Arches National Monument, made famous in Edward Abbeys book Desert Solitaire. Ed described driving it frequently, said you could do it in a station wagon if careful. Required reading for all lovers of the American southwest.

[@RVHomeschool]

That’s great to know. I’ll check that out. Thank you for sharing.

[@JoaquinBridges]

Awesome video! Great voice over with wonderful descriptions. Going to Arches in 10 days and want to do Eye of the whale (and part of Tower Arch?). I have 4runner TRD Off Road with 2.5 lift. Think it can handle this?

[@RVHomeschool]

Absolutely for Eye of the Whale. Can’t speak to Tower Arch as we didn’t go that far. Using it to get into Arches won’t be any problem. Terrain gets a little tougher out to Eye of the Whale. Have fun!

[@sfpastramiking]

You’re good

[@CarloCoats]

Nice video! Do you have to pay an entrance fee when going into Arches Natl Park via Willow Springs Road?

[@RVHomeschool]

Technically you still need a park pass when you enter Arches. We have a yearly pass so I didn’t pay much attention to whether there was a kiosk to pay for a pass.

[@jshepard152]

The National Parks belong to the early risers. I've found if you hit the main gate before about 6am, you can sail into most parks for free.

[@donpennington2080]

We've done that once. Camped along Willow Springs. But we went to Balanced Rock first. Then another back road out that was north of Willow Springs.

[@RVHomeschool]

I wonder if that road out was the one to Tower Arch? We weren’t sure our Jeep could tackle that route.

[@imgettinby]

take 'em out, they are worth points

[@joenathan3377]

Since when aren't bicycles required to obey the same traffic laws as other vehicles?

[@adventurelifewithbob2960]

Always enjoy your video! Southern Utah is my favorite place for off roading. It's an excellent place to photograph and video.

[@thewanderingpinto5979]

I watched your video before we went to Moab for the first time in April. It was as you described. Easy, but you need to pay attention and go slow. I have a stock Bronco Sport Badlands that handled it fine. WE didn't take the detour to Eye of the Whale Arch, next time. We did a few other trails on our visit. Planning on returning to Moab!

[@afaqgul2165]

Thank you for this video… it was simple and the sites were beautiful

[@salemk.3098]

0:32 that’s not blm, it’s part of Utah’s Trust Lands

[@leftystrat62]

Nice job, very informative, thanks for sharing. cheers

[@jennla]

Thank you for this video, very detailed and lots of helpful info. All the other videos I came across on this trail sucked!! So glad I found yours.

[@RVHomeschool]

Glad it was helpful. I heard recently they are turning part of this into a Utah State Park. So be sure to check on that before you head out (just in case my Info is out of date on the video).

[@jeremyking3986]

I stayed in the campsites, they now cost $10 a night, cash only in the drop box. Spent 3 nights this summer, still an awesome deal and location.

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks for sharing. That’s useful information.

[@Jay-zg8zy]

Thank you for such in-depth information - I am traveling with a prius so being able to see roads ahead of time is so helpful.

[@Map12784]

Hey are those Black Rhino Stadium wheels on your Jeep? Are they the -18 offsets?

[@RVHomeschool]

I don’t remember the offset but they are Black Rhino. We’ve been really happy with them.

[@Map12784]

Thanks for the reply! I really want to get them for my Bronco but I don’t know if I wanna go with -18 or 0 offset. If you find any info for your wheels please let me know!

[@johnnypark3729]

Great video, Thank you!

[@RVHomeschool]

Thanks for watching.

[@RavensEyeOffroad]

great video!

[@roblamont8756]

Nice video

[@RVHomeschool]

Thank you. And thanks for watching.

[@chrisstaylor8377]

It’s a toilet , ?

[@ljclauson]

Super!

[@gdman4527]

Hello, thank you for posting. Just wondering if normal tires will hold up on this road or would you recommend off-road/AT tires?

[@RVHomeschool]

Assuming they are in good shape I think regular tires would be fine. The bigger issue is ground clearance (since there are some rocky areas and low clearance might get scratched up or stuck). I wouldn’t head on the northern trail to Eye of the Whale unless you have a modified vehicle.