A roof rail and an apparatus for attaching the roof rail to the roof of a vehicle are provided. The roof rail is elongated and includes a bottom portion for engaging the outer surface of the roof. The roof rail also includes inboard and outboard side portions extending between the bottom portion and a top portion. An access hole is provided in the roof rail on an inboard side portion or at a location that is lower than an uppermost point of the roof rail for providing access to a fastener such as a roof stud or bolt attaching the roof rail to the roof. The access hole is blocked from view from a laterally outer side of the roof rail.