Wall Arch, Former natural arch in Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Wall Arch was a sandstone arch located in Devils Garden, within Arches National Park in Utah, USA. It stood along the main hiking trail and was one of the larger arches accessible on foot in that area.

The formation was shaped over millions of years by wind and water wearing away the sandstone of the Colorado Plateau. In August 2008, it collapsed overnight without warning, discovered by rangers the following morning.

The name Wall Arch was given in 1948 by Lewis T. McKinney, who first reported the formation. After the August 2008 collapse, National Park Service and Utah Geological Survey officials examined the remaining rock on August 7 and found stress fractures that could lead to further falls. The debris briefly blocked the Devils Garden Trail.

The site sits along the Devils Garden Trail, a marked path that passes through several sandstone formations in the area. The route crosses open desert ground, so carrying enough water and sun protection makes a real difference on the walk.

Wall Arch had a span of about 71 feet (roughly 21 meters), making it one of the larger arches in the park, not a small feature. The fact that a sandstone opening of that size could vanish overnight still surprises geologists who study desert erosion.