Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Mesa Arch Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (90)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Canyonlands National Park
  5. Island in the Sky
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“An easy hike leading to a natural arch with a gorgeous view. ”

Jorden Stanley
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.1

KM

Loop

6,166' 1,879 m

High

6,115' 1,864 m

Low

61' 19 m

Up

57' 17 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

8%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Family Friendly An easy trail with a beautiful view of the area.

Description

Park at the designated area and follow the well-trodden, but unimposing and undemanding trail. The short hike leads to a gorgeous low angle natural arch that frames the valley below it beautifully. If possible, try to catch the view for sunrise when the light catches the red rocks wonderfully. It's a good spot because you can take good photos almost any time of day. Most every morning there are many people waiting for the sun to rise to get an iconic shot. I went in the afternoon and still had a good time. There are almost always people here so this is not the place to come for solitude. It's cool and worth seeing but not as cool as other areas in the park. The trail makes a very easy loop with stairs helping for most of the 150 feet of elevation gain. The whole loop is 0.66 miles making this a very family friendly hike. The arch itself is pretty small and unspectacular. The reason it's so popular is not the arch itself, but what it frames. It offers great views of La Sal Mountain, White Rim Road, and the Monster Tower. Be sure to look for trucks and jeeps down on the White Rim Road. I always have fun trying to spot the arch from far below.

Contacts

Land Manager: National Park Service - Canyonlands

Shared By:

Jorden Stanley
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 90 votes

#1

in Island in the Sky

#11

Overall
  4.5 from 90 votes
5 Star
62%
4 Star
27%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Island in the Sky

#1

in Utah

#11

Overall
12 Views Last Month
3,196 Since Nov 10, 2015
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
57%
17%
26%
0%
0%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Mesa Arch
Dec 30, 2018 near Moab, UT
Washerwoman Arch From the Mesa Arch Trail
Dec 30, 2018 near Moab, UT
Canyonlands National Park
Mar 30, 2020 near Moab, UT
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Nov 10, 2015 near Moab, UT
Sunrise over Canyonlands.
Aug 19, 2018 near Moab, UT
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park
Jan 21, 2016 near Moab, UT

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 59 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 14, 2024
John Searing
0.7mi
Aug 6, 2024
Jeremy R
Jun 21, 2024
Abhishek K
Apr 27, 2024
Jessi Burns
Apr 1, 2024
J Rai
0.7mi
Jul 19, 2023
Dave Cerlanek
11h 30m
Jul 12, 2023
Christa Finer
Cute and quick hike to great landmark! 0.6mi
Jun 28, 2023
Jey Lucero

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started