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Mesa Arch Trail

Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
 4.5 (92)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Canyonlands National Park
  5. Island in the Sky
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“An easy hike leading to a natural arch with a gorgeous view. ”

Jorden Stanley
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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 92 votes

#1

in Island in the Sky

#11

Overall
  4.5 from 92 votes
5 Star
63%
4 Star
26%
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%
18%
25%
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

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

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Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Mar 20, 2026
Pranao Hardas
Sep 30, 2025
Kathleen Yeager
1mi
Jun 4, 2025
Caitlin Poore
Curious to see how much longer it lasts with the big ol' crack between it and the rock face. Awesome, drop off view
May 24, 2025
Ryan Erickson
0.7mi — 0h 26m
Mar 26, 2025
Stewart Carnes
Mar 20, 2025
Max Swearingen
Dec 14, 2024
John Searing
0.7mi
Aug 6, 2024
Jeremy R

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