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Liberty Bell Arch Hiking Guide

Contents

Overview

South of Hoover Dam (on the Arizona side), there is a natural arch called Liberty Bell Arch, perched high on a barren butte. The name comes from its resemblance to the iconic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. If you can’t make out the bell, make sure you’re looking at the negative space formed by the arch.

Just past the arch, the trail winds up to the top of a cliff that overlooks the Colorado River, 1000 feet below.

Liberty Bell Arch

Liberty Bell Arch

Quick Facts

  • Distance: 5 miles out and back
  • Hike Time: 3 hours
  • Elevation Gain/Loss: 850 feet
  • Fee: Free
  • Dogs: Yes
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking to Liberty Bell Arch

The hike begins at White Rock Canyon Trailhead, which is also the starting point for Arizona Hot Spring. I’ve wanted to check out the hot spring for awhile, but we had our dog and 2-year-old daughter with us, and that route has a slippery 20-foot ladder.

As it happens, Liberty Bell Arch is a great alternative to the not-so-kid-friendly Arizona Hot Spring. If you find yourself in the Las Vegas area, I highly recommend this hike.

From the parking lot, walk to the east end and you’ll see a trailhead sign. It has a beautiful photo of Liberty Bell Arch in the springtime with desert marigolds in the foreground.

From here, follow footprints down to the wash and continue underneath the highway. Around 0.5 miles from the trailhead, there are three paths exiting the wash. Ignore these, and continue down the wash. Soon, it starts to narrow.

About 1 mile from the trailhead, turn right at the signed junction. Another 0.5 miles up the trail, sits a dilapidated ore cart from a World War II-era magnesium mine.

The turnoff to Liberty Bell Arch
The turnoff to Liberty Bell Arch
Kim takes a look at the ore cart
Kim takes a look at the ore cart

The ore cart near Liberty Bell Arch

2 miles from where you started, Liberty Bell Arch comes into full view from below. Continue 0.5 miles uphill to get an outstanding view of the Colorado River from the canyon rim. Nearby, there is an ammo box that has a notebook and pen in it. If you care to, sign in and leave a message!

The Colorado River from the viewpoint above Liberty Bell Arch
The Colorado River from the viewpoint above Liberty Bell Arch
An ammo box at the Colorado River viewpoint
An ammo box at the Colorado River viewpoint

Map

Location

The trailhead is found at a paved parking lot next to U.S. Route 93. It’s 46 min east of the Las Vegas Strip, NV and 1 hour north of Kingman, AZ.

Get Directions

Resources

Topographic Maps

Links

Photos

Liberty Bell Arch

The ore cart near Liberty Bell Arch

On the approach to Liberty Bell Arch
On the approach to Liberty Bell Arch

The Colorado River from the viewpoint above Liberty Bell Arch

 

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