Trail Overview
Willow Springs Trail and Dinosaur Tracks offers an accessible yet scenic dirt and sand route that serves as a historic back-door entrance into Arches National Park, making it ideal for stock four-wheel-drive vehicles, high-clearance all-wheel-drive crossovers, and SxSs looking to escape the main highway crowds. Spanning approximately 7 miles with a mild elevation gain of around 690 feet, this point-to-point trail begins just off Highway 191 and climbs from an elevation of 4,344 feet to nearly 4,972 feet. Rated a 4 out of 10, the path transitions from a wide, graded dirt road into a narrower, more rugged track featuring occasional slickrock ledges, sandy washes, and minor rocky steps that require careful tire placement.
As the route winds eastward, travelers will encounter the famous Willow Springs dinosaur tracks site near the trailhead, where fossilized footprints from the Jurassic period are preserved in the slickrock. The trail continues through BLM land—passing several dispersed camping areas—before crossing the boundary into Arches National Park where stunning views of red rock fins, distant arches, and massive sandstone domes dominate the landscape. Because the trail crosses multiple dry washes that are prone to flash flooding, drivers should closely monitor weather reports and avoid the route during or immediately after heavy rainstorms. The journey concludes at the paved Arches Scenic Drive, placing visitors deep within the park's iconic formations without the long wait times at the main entrance gate.
Difficulty
This is a fairly easy trail for those that have high-clearance 4x4 or AWD vehicles, assuming the roads are dry and it had not rained recently. You do cross a lot of washes, so if it recently rained check your weather apps and watch for flash floods.
History
The trail passes by a significant paleontological site containing fossilized dinosaur tracks from the Jurassic period, left in the Entrada Sandstone over 140 million years ago. Historically, this route served as an old wagon road and one of the original rough ranching routes into the region before modern paved highways were established.
Access Description
Entering Arches National Park via Willow Springs Trail requires a valid National Park Service pass or entry fee, which must be purchased in advance. Since there is no fee station at this remote boundary, visitors should carry their America the Beautiful pass or digital park pass. Dispersed camping is permitted on the BLM-managed sections near the start of the trail, but camping is strictly prohibited once you cross the national park boundary.
