Grays Arch Recreation Area — Attraction in Stanton

We took this trail as well as part of Rough Trail and Pinch ‘Em Tight, to create a full loop back to our car. Pinch ‘Em Tight was a great start to our experience, as the other two trail sections (gray and rough) were more challenging. I loved all 3 trails that we took. I loved seeing the evergreens such as hemlocks, pines, and rhododendrons! The views were wonderful, too. Keep in mind that when you combine trails together, you could get in over your head easily! So plan ahead if you’re combining trails like we did. Glad we combined them, but it was difficult! See my map photo for info on our exact trail in purple. Note that “Rough Trail” helped us connect “Pinch ‘em” to “Gray.” However, “Rough Trail” may not show up on Google maps for you, so use caution.

Lots of caves, boulders, cliffs, gorgeous greenery (even in fall and winter), and terrain changes. Streams and small waterfalls as well. An overall dazzling adventure, but you need to be ready for a long challenging hike, if you do the loop we did, combining trails.

We did this late November 2023. It was chilly but not too cold. I wore a coat, but eventually needed to remove it for a bit as I was working up a sweat. Still glad I had my coat for the colder areas of the trail.

My favorite hike ever so far, but also the most challenging I’ve done. I admit I’m a novice hiker and the trails back home are easier and less abrupt terrain changes!

I think our total loop was almost 7.5 miles. 14,880 footsteps. 4 hours. I rested several times along the journey. We took time for photos, too.

Bring plenty of water!

💓☺️Love...

This a very good trail with a nice payoff at the end. About 2 1/2 miles in total as an out & back trail. The first 3/4 of the trail from the parking lot is flat and through some nice trees. Colorful during the fall. The last 1/2 mile of the trail has a pretty good elevation change down and then back up. As you get to the gorge basin there are several flights of stairs. Then to get up to the arch you climb up a natural trail (rocks, tree roots, dirt slope) so there is a bit of scrambling to get up to the arch. This may be challenging for little ones and those with mobility challenges. It's not a terribly long climb but you are most likely using your hands for stability. Once at the arch the gorge and arch are quite impressive. A good spot to catch your breath before the hike back. There are ways to connect to other trails, if you are inclined to, so have a good map handy. Took a little over an hour for...

Nice clean quite place. But you better not go there I seen bears and several Hungary acting bobcats there and omg didn't even seem scared or worried about me being in THEIR area.. Hey kinda rare but can kill. Also real quick to stay away from that are there : poison big snakes.bats. = get in ur hair.bite & give u rabies. Bears !! = omg enough said. Spiders= bite& kinda big too..brrr - Eeuuuw, yikes, so just be careful when ( lol if you go there, it's just so deadly beautiful there) 25 yrs know.. Well this covers Red River & the wonderful " natural bridge" and miles of surrounding areas there. I hope I've been some help for...