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Natural Arches in Arkansas

12 natural arches in Arkansas with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Pope County has the most (3). The darkest skies are at Indian Rockhouse (Bortle 2).

Top natural arches

Natural Arch
Natural Bridge of ArkansasVan Buren County
Natural Arch
Hurricane Creek Natural BridgeJohnson County
Natural Arch
Ralph Natural BridgeMarion County
Natural Arch
Alum Cove Natural BridgeNewton County
Natural Arch
Petit Jean Natural BridgeConway County
Natural Arch
Indian RockhouseMarion County
Natural Arch
Arlberg ArchStone County
Natural Arch
Arch RockPope County
Natural Arch
Buzzard Roost Rocks Natural ArchPope County
Natural Arch
Devils Den Natural BridgeWashington County
Natural Arch
Lost Valley Natural BridgeNewton County
Natural Arch
Pedestal RocksPope County

Natural Arches by county

Map

How to photograph natural arches

Arches glow when reflected light bounces off nearby rock — the underside of an arch often turns bright orange just after sunrise or before sunset.

  • Frame distant features through the opening of the arch for a natural window.
  • At night, arches make classic Milky Way foregrounds; low-level lighting or blue hour exposures keep the rock detailed.
  • Use a wide lens and get close to emphasize the span against the sky.
  • Never climb on arches; many are fragile and climbing is prohibited on park lands.
  • Midday sun creates hard shadows, but can light the underside through reflection in narrow canyons.

Season: Spring and autumn offer mild temperatures in desert arch country; summer heat is extreme at midday.