Mesa Arch

Drew Thompson

Mesa Arch

04/24/22

This short hike leads you to one of the best sunrise spots in the park. Be warned there will be crowds but if everyone cooperates there is plenty of space to view the sunrise through the Arch at a distance. Tip: take a stroll left or right of the arch for uninterrupted views away from the immediate crowd.

5.0

PRO

Lucas Bremer

PRO

Mesa Arch

09/02/20

Look hard for pictures of the southwest and Mesa Arch will come up. The view through this oddity of nature is memorizing. Hold on to the kids though as this is a long drop to the canyon floor below. Easy half mile lop to and from the parking lot.

5.0

Natalie F

Mesa Arch

07/08/20

Great hike! Very photographic park, especially this spot! This hike leaves you plenty of time to explore other parts of the park too!

4.0

Julie S

Mesa Arch

05/01/18

I must’ve gotten lucky because there was almost nobody there when I went in mid July around 10am on a Sunday. If you want sunrise pictures, it will most definitely be crowded. However, any pictures you get of this place will be awesome. This is a great little hike for families who want to see an incredible view. Watch your kids though- steep drop offs! Quick, easy, and the views are spectacular!

5.0

Explorer

Michael Martineau

Explorer

Mesa Arch

11/12/16

Very easy hike and definitely worth it. There are multiple spots to get photos of the arch so get creative. Just watch where you are standing since there is a major drop off. Crowded like the others have said but I suggest making the stop to take a look for yourself.

4.0

Explorer

Jonathon Reed

Explorer

Mesa Arch

09/19/16

Dozens of people there to catch the sunrise. Still utterly beautiful, just missing the peace of desert solitude that you can get at other spots. Wished I could have gone in the winter season. Nevertheless, if you have a campsite at Island of the Sky (typically Willow Flat or Dead Horse State Park), spend one daybreak at Mesa Arch.

4.0

Explorer

Mike Quine

Explorer

Mesa Arch

09/14/16

In my life, I have never seen a larger gaggle of photographers in my life. I mean I get it! The view is stunning and the arch pretty much create a perfect frame for the canyonlands below. If only the photographers knew what the views were like from the bottom, I think we'd be able to dilute their numbers across the park.

3.0

Explorer

Brynn Schmidt

Explorer

Mesa Arch

05/31/16

This is a definite if you are in the Island in the Sky section of the park. I did not realize that Canyonlands was split into separate entrances and so Mesa Arch is only accessible through the Island in in the Sky section. This is so easy, it is really not a hike. A short trail about .5 miles takes you to this iconic arch. Be sure to take photos from all angles of this arch. There is so much that you can capture through the arch itself and it is a beautiful place. It is very popular, so very crowded. I highly recommend going in the am or pm. This is one of the top sunrise photography spots in all of Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse State Park, so if you are going to do sunrise photos, get there early.

5.0

Improvised Journeys

Mesa Arch

05/17/16

Iconic place for photographers. Crowded and easy to access in reality, but no less wonderful. The canyons below seem to stretch on forever.

4.0

Explorer

Sonja Saxe

Explorer

Mesa Arch

04/08/16

Mesa Arch is a gorgeous spot. The way the arch perfectly frames Island in the Sky is picture perfect - but don't expect getting that picture to be easy. Since this is such a short hike and so near the entrance of the park the spot will be crowded with tourists and getting a shot with just the arch in the frame it will require some waiting. Also, please do not walk on the arch. There are signs stating it is not allowed yet I saw so many people doing it on my trip.

4.0