About
Length (round trip)1 mi
ShapeOut-and-Back
DifficultyModerate
Elevation gain100 ft up
Typical time30 min
TrailheadWhale Rock parking area, Island in the Sky
SurfaceBare slickrock with handrails
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

Many features in this region bear imaginative names. Does this long sandstone dome looked like a giant whale to you? This trail walks along its side, then climbs from its "tail" up to its "blowhole." Roundtrip Distance : 0.8 mi (1.3 km) Time : 1 hr Elevation Change : 141 ft (43 m) Difficulty : Moderate - Mesa Top Hike Description : This trail leads up the side of a sandstone dome, ending with broad views of the Island in the Sky. Great for kids who like to scramble on rock. Be careful: wear soles with good traction and avoid steep drop-offs. 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? Whale Rock is part of a large outer ring of sandstone surrounding the nearby Upheaval Dome formation.

Tips
All slickrock with a couple of handrails at the steep bits. Children love it. Do not attempt it in wet or icy conditions.
Location

Whale Rock parking area, Island in the Sky

Other Hikers
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