Los Alamos Arch

Hidden in the canyons below Los Alamos, the Los Alamos Arch is a small natural rock arch tucked into a quiet stretch of canyon, reached by a short hike.

What to Do

The hike to the arch is roughly 2 miles round trip and descends into Los Alamos Canyon and up a hill before climbing back out. Along the way you’ll encounter a few short sections of rock scrambling. It’s nothing technical, just some hands-on-rock moves. The trail can be steep in places, but the arch itself doesn’t require any climbing. Just follow the cairns to find it.

How Much Time to Spend

Plan on 1 to 1.5 hours round trip at a normal pace, more if you stop to explore around the arch.

Getting There

The route begins at the Mitchell Trailhead on the edge of a residential neighborhood in Los Alamos. Parking is extremely limited, there are only a few roadside spaces available near the trailhead, so arrive early or be ready to park a short walk away. The trail itself is unpaved and involves some scrambling, but no high-clearance vehicle is needed to reach the trailhead.

It’s smaller and less known than La Ventana or the other arches in the state. If you’re already in Los Alamos and want a short hike with a payoff at the end, this is worth the trip!