Watch the Sunrise at Mesa Arch
ScenicEasyYear-round
Peer through the 'eye' of the arch as it frames the vast canyon system of Canyonlands, illuminated by the first light of day.
Itinerary tips
- 1Plan to arrive at the trailhead at least 45 minutes before the official sunrise time to secure a spot at the arch.
- 2Pack a high-quality headlamp for the 0.5-mile trek as the trail consists of uneven sandstone and dirt.
- 3Bring a wide-angle lens if you are a photographer to fully capture the arch framing the Buck Canyon landscape.
- 4Check the National Park Service website to ensure you have a valid Canyonlands National Park entry pass or an America the Beautiful pass.
- 5Dress in layers regardless of the season, as the Island in the Sky district is high elevation and often windy before dawn.
- 6Limit your time directly under the arch once the sun rises to allow other visitors a clear view of the 'glow'.
More in Moab
Drive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
Navigate a white-knuckle descent on a dirt road that drops 1,500 feet from the Island in the Sky mesa to the canyon floor.
ScenicStargaze at Dead Horse Point
Visit this International Dark Sky Park after hours to see the Milky Way arching over the gooseneck curves of the Colorado River far below.
ScenicSunrise at Mesa Arch
Witness the iconic glow as the morning sun illuminates the underside of the arch, framing the vast canyons of the Island in the Sky.
ScenicDrive the La Sal Mountain Loop
Escape the desert heat with a scenic drive through alpine forests that offer stunning overlooks of the red rock valleys below.
Scenic
