Herdina Park - Arches National Park

Distance: 0 to 2 miles one way depending on vehicle
Elevation Gain: 300 feet
Access: High Clearance/4WD or a 2 mile hike needed

Although Arches National Park can get crowded, a visit to Herdina Park will get you away from everyone. On a record attending Memorial Day weekend, I had Herdina Park all to myself. The sandstone fins and ravines would be an excellent place for a backcountry camp, definitely worth a visit if you have already seen the rest of the park. There are two main arches in Herdina Park, Eye of the Whale and Leaping Arch. Most visitors walk a short trail from the 4WD road to Eye of the Whale Arch, then return to their cars. There are many opportunities for exploration, just be sure to not climb up or down anything you can not get back up or down, there are many dead-ends. No signs lead to Herdina Park and 4WD/high clearance is needed to get close, so few accidentally visit the area.

It is 2 miles of easy road walking to reach Herdina. Park where shown on the map below.

Arches National Park

Take Willow Springs Road (BLM 378) which starts from US 191 (no entrance fees). Or, from the park road 8.8 miles from the entrance, take a left turn at Balanced Rock. Follow road for 0.8 miles to where the 4WD turn starts north. Take the 4WD road north 2 miles toward Klondike Bluffs. At the sign for Eye of the Whale Arch, park and take the trail to the arch. Explore from there. Or continue a short distance further where there is a parking area for Leaping Arch.

4WD sign about 0.8 miles from Balanced Rock

Road to Herdina Park - Herdina Park in distance

On road to Herdina Park, looking back at La Sal Mountains

Trailhead sign for Eye of the Whale Arch

Backside of Eye of the Whale Arch

Front side of Eye of the Whale Arch

Whale Canyon inside Herdina Park

Edge of Herdina Park

Windows Section of Arches National Park from road to Herdina Park