Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
The arch itself is only about 27 feet across, which surprises people who know it from photographs. What makes it work is position: it sits right on the cliff edge, so the opening frames a drop into the canyons with the La Sal Mountains behind. NPS calls it one of the most photographed arches in southeast Utah, and at sunrise photographers often lay in wait. The loop is short but rough and uneven, with a rocky hill and stone steps, and it can ice up in winter.
The Trail
THE sunrise shot - arch glowing over a 500 ft drop into Buck Canyon.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Easy)
Water bottle, sunscreen, hat, snacks, comfortable shoes.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Willow Flat Campground (Camping, 1 mi) · Kayenta Campground (Dead Horse Point) (Camping, 9 mi) · The Needles Campground (Squaw Flat) (Camping, 17 mi) · Ken's Lake Campground (Camping, 25 mi)
More hikes nearby: Upheaval Dome Overlook (Hike, 4 mi) · Grand View Point (Hike, 5 mi) · Dead Horse Rim Loop (Hike, 10 mi) · Chesler Park Loop (Hike, 17 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Mesa Arch hike?
- 0.7 miles round trip with 88 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Mesa Arch?
- Easy. Kid rating: 5 out of 5.
- When should I hike Mesa Arch?
- Best season: All year.
- Why hike Mesa Arch?
- Mesa Arch is a short walk to a small arch perched on the lip of a 500-foot drop, with Buck Canyon and the La Sals filling the opening. It is the quickest path to a big Canyonlands view. Go at sunrise for the glow, or midday if you would rather have room to stand.