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A visit to this out-of-the-way arch provides solitude and a unique perspective on the park.


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Map Key

0.2

Miles

0.3

KM

Point to Point

4,979' 1,518 m

High

4,929' 1,502 m

Low

50' 15 m

Up

29' 9 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Views

Family Friendly If the kids (and the car!) can handle the bumpy ride to the trailhead, this short out-and-back is totally doable!

Park Road 19 (also called Herdina Park Jeep Road) is very rough and requires a 4WD vehicle. Note: bikes are not allowed on this trail.

Description

To reach the remote Eye of the Whale Trail, turn north onto Willow Flats Road (just across from the Balanced Rock parking area). Take Willow Flats Road (also called BLM378) for less than a mile, then turn north onto Park Road 19 (also called Herdina Park Jeep Road). Stay on Park Road 19 for 2.2 miles until you approach the first large rock formation and see a parking area to the west. This is the trailhead for Eye of the Whale Trail.

From the trailhead, the arch may not seem that noteworthy and won't really resemble a whale yet. Pass through the arch on this mellow 1/4 mile path, then turn around to look backwards. From the backside it is easy to see the heavy brow and eye hole of the whale.

If you liked your adventure to this area, seek out an unnamed arch accessible from this same trailhead. From the parking area, head around the north side of this rock formation for 1/4 mile and look for the arch nestled in the rock fins.

Contacts

Shared By:

Megan W

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 8 votes

#1

in Willow Flats

#11456

Overall
  3.9 from 8 votes
5 Star
13%
4 Star
75%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
13%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Willow Flats

#395

in Utah

#11,456

Overall
7 Views Last Month
1,105 Since Mar 9, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
14%
86%
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0%

Photos

View from the trail
Mar 19, 2023 near Moab, UT
Looking at the Arch
Mar 19, 2023 near Moab, UT
Looking at the La Sal mountains from the trail.
Mar 19, 2023 near Moab, UT
Below the Arch looking south.
Mar 19, 2023 near Moab, UT
Looking out the eye
Mar 19, 2023 near Moab, UT
Eye of the Whale Arch From Below
Mar 27, 2022 near Moab, UT

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