Sunrise at Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands is known for its unique and diverse landscape, which includes towering mesas, deep canyons, and vast deserts. The park covers over 337,000 acres and is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers, each with its own unique geologic features and recreational opportunities. Visitors to Canyonlands National Park can enjoy activities such as hiking, camping, scenic drives, mountain biking, and river running.

Catching the sunrise at Mesa Arch is something everyone on a southwest road trip should add to their bucketlist. The early morning light makes the arch and the canyon behind glow as if it's on fire & is mesmerizing to see.

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park

Location:

Arches National Park is located near Moab, Utah. Other ways to get there are:
• Grand Junction, CO - 110 miles.
• Salt Lake City, UT - 236 miles.
• Denver, CO - 360 miles.

Entrance Fee:

Admission to Canyonlands National Park is good for seven days. You can upgrade a weekly pass to an annual pass within seven days of purchase.

•Private Vehicle - $30.00
Admits one private, non-commercial vehicle (15 passenger capacity or less) and all its occupants.

•Motorcycle - $25.00
Admits a private, non-commercial motorcycle and its riders.

•Per Person - $15.00
Admits one individual with no car. Typically used for bicyclists, hikers, and pedestrians. Youth 15 and under are admitted free.

We suggest getting a USA National Parks Pass for just $80 and saving money if you’re planning on visiting multiple National Parks in a year.

If you're arriving at sunrise and need to pay, there's a box where you can slip money to cover the entrance fee at the Visitors Center.

Where to stay:

Moab is the best place to stay it is very close by and has a variety of places to stay that can fit any budget. There are also camping grounds around the area where you can stay.

Best season to visit:

The most popular time to visit Mesa Arch is in the Spring or Fall when temperatures are comfortable. but if you'd like to avoid crowds you should consider visiting in the winter.

Best time to visit:

The best time of day to visit Mesa Arch is at sunrise! You’ll want to arrive 30-45 mins before sunrise to give you time to hike to the arch & get a good spot with the view because it will be crowded! If you're coming from Moab, you’ll want to leave around 1.5 hours before sunrise because it's about an hour's drive from Moab to the Mesa Arch parking lot.

Trail Details:

•Trailhead: Mesa Arch Trailhead
•Distance: 0.7 miles (RT)
•Elevation: 88 feet
•Difficulty: Easy
•Time to Hike: 30 mins
•Toilet: at the trailhead
•Parking: There is a small parking lot with about 30 spots. If you arrive before sunrise, there shouldn't be an issue.

Tips:

•Bring a headlamp for the hike.
•Expect crowds: This is a popular activity because it's easily accessible. If you see the photographers with their tripods & can't find a spot near the arch, don't worry there are other beautiful spots around to capture the sunrise over the canyon from a different perspective.
•Stay way after sunrise: it's amazing to see how quickly the photographers scatter right after sunrise & the lighting was still perfect for photos.
•Photographers code - even though this gets so crowded, there's some kind of understanding between everyone not to push, and get into others' sunrise shot.

Share