About
Length0.5 mi
ShapeLoop
DifficultyEasy
Elevation gain80 ft up
Typical time15 min
TrailheadMesa Arch parking area, Island in the Sky
SurfacePacked dirt and slickrock
Best seasonSpring and autumn. Summer highs exceed 100F with no shade and no water on any trail.
DogsNot allowed
What you'll see 🌄 Big views🕳️ Cave or arch

Perched at the edge of the mesa top, this 27-foot-long (8.3 m) arch frames views of the canyon far below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. The loop hike has slightly more elevation change at the beginning if you travel counter-clockwise. To reduce the number of stairs, walk clockwise to the arch, then retrace your steps. Roundtrip Distance : 0.6 mi (1 km) Time : 30 min Elevation Change : 56 ft (17 m) Difficulty : Easy Hike Description : A short hike leads to a cliff-edge arch. Mesa Arch is a classic sunrise spot, and has stunning views towards the La Sal Mountains any time of day. Accessibility : This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers. Dogs are not allowed on this trail . Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? Mesa Arch is one of most photographed arches in southeast Utah. This location is especially popular at sunrise, when groups of photographers often lay in wait for the glow of sunrise on the bottom of the arch.

Tips
At sunrise the underside of the arch glows orange from light bouncing off the cliffs below. Expect thirty photographers at dawn; by 9am you may have it to yourself. The drop beyond the arch is 500 feet and unfenced.
Location

Mesa Arch parking area, Island in the Sky

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