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Utah
58 ft
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Why you'll love it
Mesa Arch Trail
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No permit or access details on file for this trail — check with the local land manager before you go.
<p>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.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 0.6 mi (1 km)</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 30 min</li> <li><strong>Elevation Change</strong>: 56 ft (17 m)</li> <li><strong>Difficulty</strong>: Easy</li> <li><strong>Hike Description</strong>: 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.</li> <li><strong>Accessibility</strong>: 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.</li> <li><strong>Dogs are not allowed on this trail</strong>. Service animals are allowed in national parks. <a href="https://cms.nps.gov/planyourvisit/service-animals.htm">What is a service animal?</a></li> </ul> <p><br /> 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.</p> <p> </p>
Aztec Butte Trail
~1 min drive
<p paraeid="{6586b1d3-5177-47f9-8426-e7e98ddba119}{68}" paraid="308520971">Indigenous people once stored foods and medicines in rock structures, called granaries, built into alcoves here. Despite the current name, they were not part of the Aztec civilization. <em>Do not touch…
Wilhite Trail
~3 min drive
<p paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-332d48e86814}{233}" paraid="840572081">A primitive trail with steep switchbacks drops 1,600 feet (488 m) into a long, sandy wash. Follow the wash to the White Rim Road. No shade.</p> <ul role="list"> <li paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-33…
Murphy Point Trail
~4 min drive
<p>People seeking a mostly level hike longer than just a mile might enjoy the Murphy Point Trail. It leaves the pavement and vehicle sounds behind, and offers the change to imagine what Canyonlands looked like during its ranching days before it became a national park. </p> <ul…
Murphy Loop Trail
~4 min drive
<p>A great full-day hike, the Murphy Trail offers outstanding views from atop the Murphy Hogback and White Rim Road. <em>This trail starts at the same trailhead as the moderate Murphy Point Overlook Trail. Pay close attention at the junction.</em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtri…
Alcove Spring Trail
~6 min drive
<p>After descending 1,300 feet (396 m) past a large alcove, the trail meanders in a wide canyon to the base of the notable Moses and Zeus towers. </p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 11.2 mi (18 km)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); fon…
Whale Rock Trail
~6 min drive
<p>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."</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="5" data-aria-p…
Lathrop Trail
~7 min drive
<p>The Lathrop Trail crosses a wide grassland on the mesa top, enjoys views of Colorado River, then descends into the canyon below. For a moderate trail option, hikers often turn around at the canyon rim. Continuing down to the White Rim Road means a strenuous hike back out.</…
Syncline Trail
~7 min drive
<p>The Syncline Trail follows canyons around Upheaval Dome and requires navigating steep switchbacks, climbing and scrambling through boulder fields, and a 1,500-foot (460 m) elevation change. <strong><em>This is the most challenging trail in the Island in the Sky district, an…
Upheaval Dome Overlooks Trail
~7 min drive
<p>Two short but steep hikes lead to overlooks of a spectacular and colorful geologic feature: Upheaval Dome.<br /> <br /> <em>Within minutes of starting, the Overlooks trail crosses the very challenging Syncline Trail, which loops around Upheaval Dome without viewing its cent…
Gooseberry Trail
~8 min drive
<p paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-332d48e86814}{110}" paraid="110904803">This is the steepest trail in this district of Canyonlands, descending over a thousand feet of scree slopes and switchbacks across sheer cliffs.</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 4.…
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