Grosvenor Arch

Grosvenor Arch is a rare double arch — two separate sandstone openings side by side — set along Cottonwood Canyon Road inside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Unlike the red-rock arches common elsewhere in Utah, Grosvenor is a pale yellow-tan color from the Henrieville Sandstone, a Jurassic-era formation that gives it a distinctly different look from other southern Utah landmarks. It sits roughly 10 miles south of Kodachrome Basin State Park and about 50 miles from Bryce Canyon City.

The Arch

Both arches tower approximately 150 feet above the ground, with the larger opening spanning nearly 100 feet in diameter. The double formation is unusual — most Utah arches are solitary — and the pale stone catches warm golden light in the afternoon hours. The arch is named for Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, a longtime president of the National Geographic Society, whose organization helped document the monument in the early 20th century.

Getting There and Visiting

Access is via Cottonwood Canyon Road, a maintained BLM dirt road that is passable in a standard vehicle when dry but should not be attempted after rain. From the parking area, a paved quarter-mile path leads to the base of the arch — it's short enough for most visitors and wide enough to be accessible. There are no entry fees and the site is open year-round, though late March to June and September to October offer the best conditions.

• Bring water and sun protection — there is no shade until you reach the canyon walls
• Combine with Kodachrome Basin State Park for a full day loop via Cottonwood Canyon
• Check road conditions with the BLM Kanab Field Office before driving Cottonwood Canyon Road