Liberty Bell Arch and Black Canyon Overlook in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Hike Liberty Bell Arch and Black Canyon Overlook Lake Mead National Recreation Area, AZ

Class 2 5.8 miles 1200 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Feb 19, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Liberty Bell Arch and Black Canyon Overlook GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

Apparently named for Pennsylvania's famous Liberty Bell (I guess I can see the resemblance…?), Liberty Bell Arch is a really gorgeous feature in the Black Canyon region of Lake Mead. The trailhead is shared with the ultra-popular Arizona Hot Springs / White Rock Canyon Trail, so expect crowds on a weekend. I followed the trail (moreso just a wash initially) to the head of White Rock Canyon, where the Liberty Bell Arch Trail veers off and heads north. The trail is signed, but you kind of have to be paying attention. The trail weaves through the pretty desert hills as it ascends to the popular and beautiful natural arch. Along the way I passed some old mining remains. You won't be able to see Liberty Bell Arch until the trail bends south, initially hidden amongst the white-face cliffs of Libery Bell Peak. I observed the arch from the trail, my excitement more for the peak above it.

Accessing Liberty Bell Peak is just a short walk from where most people stop to see the arch. A trail continues past the arch to the Black Canyon Overlook, a nice spot I'll be checking out after hiking the peak. The route leading to the peak is straightforward and just off the trail, but it does introduce some Class 2. Once off the peak, I continue west to the Black Canyon Overlook to see incredible views of the Colorado River and White Rock Canyon below. Amazing views from here.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Liberty Bell Peak
1716 ft
316 rise
2
Black Canyon Overlook
1693 ft
293 rise

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Starting along the Liberty Bell Arch / Arizona Hot Springs / White Rock Canyon Trail, mostly just a wash.
Starting along the Liberty Bell Arch / Arizona Hot Springs / White Rock Canyon Trail, mostly just a wash.
Liberty Bell Arch / White Rock Canyon Trail.
Liberty Bell Arch / White Rock Canyon Trail.
Image 2 from gallery
Junction with the Liberty Bell Arch Trail.
Junction with the Liberty Bell Arch Trail.
Liberty Bell Arch Trail takes you through the hills.
Liberty Bell Arch Trail takes you through the hills.
Image 5 from gallery
Image 6 from gallery
Pass some old mining stuff along the trail.
Pass some old mining stuff along the trail.
Liberty Bell Peak on the left-center.
Liberty Bell Peak on the left-center.
Liberty Bell Arch is in the center, Liberty Bell Peak on the left. It's hidden from this angle.
Liberty Bell Arch is in the center, Liberty Bell Peak on the left. It's hidden from this angle.
There's the arch.
There's the arch.
Liberty Bell Arch.
Liberty Bell Arch.
Image 12 from gallery
A view toward Liberty Bell Peak, just off the trail.
A view toward Liberty Bell Peak, just off the trail.
Class 2 stuff to the summit.
Class 2 stuff to the summit.
Liberty Bell Peak summit looking north toward Hoover Dam and Fortification Hill.
Liberty Bell Peak summit looking north toward Hoover Dam and Fortification Hill.
Liberty Bell Peak summit looking west to Black Canyon Overlook.
Liberty Bell Peak summit looking west to Black Canyon Overlook.
Close-up down into White Rock Canyon, view south.
Close-up down into White Rock Canyon, view south.
Colorado River and White Rock Canyon below.
Colorado River and White Rock Canyon below.
Image 19 from gallery
Black Canyon Overlook, looking north.
Black Canyon Overlook, looking north.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!