Mesa Arch Just After Sunrise

The Washer Woman and Airport Tower through Mesa Arch just after sunrise, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The Washer Woman and Airport Tower through Mesa Arch just after sunrise

I’ve been to Mesa Arch a few times, and each one carries a special memory with it.  On our first visit, we helped a couple of rangers perfectly place a sign at a trail junction.  I’m still wondering why a trail maintenance crew at Mesa Arch needed to be armed to the hilt.  On our second visit, we brought along a couple of all-terrain strollers for the babies (I don’t recommend this, by the way – that trail is not stroller-friendly!)  And the third visit was my most recent: Just after sunrise on a very chilly October morning.

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 0.75 miles Trail Type: Loop Elevation Gain: 186ft. Pets: No Fees: $30/vehicle

My first visit to Mesa Arch, 1997.  Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
My first visit to Mesa Arch, 1997

I hadn’t planned to hike to Mesa Arch that morning; I hadn’t planned to visit the arch at all.  But as we were driving into the park (en route to the Gooseberry Trail), I remembered that sunrise at Mesa Arch was the cover image on a book published by a friend.  And since said friend had recently passed away, I decided to do a quick stop – just to remember Frank.

Return to Mesa Arch, 2007.  I'm not quite sure where he climbed up to in order to get this picture!  Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Return to Mesa Arch, 2007. I’m not quite sure where he climbed up to in order to get this picture!

It was just after sunrise, so the parking lot was slowly emptying out.  We met crowds of shivering photographers hiking back.  But we set out resolutely, deciding to take the trail counter-clockwise by turning right at the trail junction just beyond the parking area.

Views across Island in the Sky to distant cliffs and buttes, Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Views across Island in the Sky to distant cliffs and buttes

Be sure to enjoy the views along the way.  They’re not as spectacular as what you’ll see later, as they’re pretty distant.  But you can see domes, cliffs, and of course the grassy top of the mesa.

A zoomed-in picture of the Orange Cliffs at sunrise from the Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
A zoomed-in picture of the Orange Cliffs

Looking back at the parking area, you get a pretty good view of Aztec Butte, too.

Aztec Butte from the Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Aztec Butte from the trail

At 0.3 miles from the parking area, you’ll come to Mesa Arch.  The sun might have already risen, but there were still ample opportunities for pictures.  A few of the better-prepared photographers were still hanging around, watching the sunrise and taking whatever opportunities presented themselves.  A hiker let me photograph her in the arch.

A hiker in Mesa Arch just after sunrise, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
A hiker in Mesa Arch

In general, the atmosphere was pretty relaxed.  Most of the serious photographers had already gotten their classic shots, so it was just a kind of fun, “now what can we do that will be nice?” instead of a frantic attempt to get the best shot ever.

The Washer Woman and Airport Tower through Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The Washer Woman and Airport Tower through Mesa Arch

We tried to stay out of the way while positioning ourselves for great shots of our own and to enjoy the sunrise through Mesa Arch.  One of my group members took a photo and later used it as a desktop photo on her laptop.  Her boss’s boss’s boss happened to see it one day in a meeting… he asked her if it was a stock photo.  I’d call that a score!

One last look back at Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
One last look back at Mesa Arch

After admiring the view from various angles, we high-tailed it down the trail to complete the loop and return to the parking area.

Hiking back to the parking area with Aztec Butte front and center, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Hiking back to the parking area with Aztec Butte front and center

It’s short and sweet, but if you get a chance to see Mesa Arch just after sunrise, I highly recommend it!  In the middle of the day, and in the afternoon, it’s also nice – for one thing, you can actually see the La Sal Mountains which are usually silhouetted by the sun at sunrise!

The La Sal Mountains through Mesa Arch near midday, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The La Sal Mountains through Mesa Arch near midday

Round Trip Trail Length: I ended at 0.75 miles

Elevation Gain: 186ft. (6,184ft. to 6,073ft.) (I’d guess this is an overstatement.)

Facilities: Primitive restroom in parking area

Fees: $30/vehicle, valid 7 days in all districts of Canyonlands.  National Park & Federal Lands Passes and Southern Utah Parks Passes are also accepted.

A hiker to the right of Mesa Arch, enjoying the views.  Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
A hiker to the right of Mesa Arch, enjoying the views

Trail Notes: Sunrise is the most popular time of day to visit Mesa Arch, but there are good view-related reasons to visit at other times of the day, as well.  I’d say if you miss sunrise, you’re better off waiting until afternoon for the best views.  Try to be courteous and take your turn at the arch without hogging it.  That said, don’t let pushy photographers keep you from enjoying it, too!  The path has several small sets of steps, so it’s not wheelchair or stroller-friendly.

The moon over the Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
The moon over the Mesa Arch Trail

Trail ★★☆☆☆

Road ★★☆☆☆

Signs ★☆☆☆☆

Scenery ★★★★★

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this? ★★★★★

Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆

Midday at Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Midday at Mesa Arch

GPS Coordinates for Mesa Arch

TH: 38.389140,-109.868040 (38°23.34840′, -109°52.08240′ / 38°23’20.9040″, -109°52’04.9440″) (6,149ft.) (0.0)

Mesa Arch:  38.388057,-109.863661 (38°23.28342′, -109°51.81966′ / 38°23’17.0052″, -109°51’49.1796″) (6,097ft.) (0.33)

End: 38.389127,-109.868033 (38°23.34762′, -109°52.08198′ / 38°23’20.8572″, -109°52’04.9188″) (6,148ft.) (0.74)

Clouds at sunrise over the Mesa Arch Trail, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Clouds at sunrise

The gpx file for Mesa Arch can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 14.8 KB Downloaded 66 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website.  Thanks!)

Just after sunrise at Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Just after sunrise at Mesa Arch

Getting to Mesa Arch

From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, drive south on the main road.  Exactly 6 miles south of the visitor center, the Mesa Arch Trailhead will be on your left (east).  If you come to the turnoff for Upheaval Dome, you’ve gone 0.3 miles too far.

Visual trail map and elevation profile for the Mesa Arch Trail - in reality, the dip down to the arch isn't quite so dramatic!  Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Visual trail map and elevation profile for the Mesa Arch Trail – in reality, the dip down to the arch isn’t quite so dramatic!

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The more than 60 hikes in this book take you to some of the best views and features in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.  You’ll see canyons, vistas, arches, historic structures, and so much more.  Buy your copy here!

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