Mesa Arch

Absolutely beautiful! The hike was relatively easy but I would recommend coming early (around sunrise) because it gets a little crowded. The view was stunning and I would definitely go again!

We didn't carry too much hope in seeing the mesa arch sunrise due to the cloudy night. The hike was a short and easy 10 minutes walk under the moon. We waited there till the official sunrise hour. Due to the cloud cover, there wasn't a beam of sunrise. We insisted another 30 minutes, everything changed.

One of the best spots to watch sunrise. It's a beautiful spot. Arrive before 30 mins to sunrise and hike to the arch. It's an easy hike of 1 mile round-trip. Hike clockwise.

Well worth the trip just for this experience alone. Amazig and sunrise with the glow underneath the arch short 0.6mi trail to and from the arch is easy. Gets crowded and not that much parking with everyone parking along the road.l and a wait to take photos. There's also a restroom in the parking lot.

Absolutely stunning dawn experience, especially as the Mesa Arch glows with the warmth of the sun against a backdrop of the world falling away from you into the Mars-like landscape of Canyonlands. Photos do not do it justice; truly the natural world at its finest.

Mesa Arch isn’t just a viewpoint—it’s an experience. Tucked into the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands, this modest-looking arch becomes something extraordinary when the sun rises behind it. If you get there early, you’ll see the underside of the arch glow with fiery orange light, framing a vast canyon and distant peaks in a way that feels almost unreal. The hike to the arch is short and easy—just about half a mile round trip on a well-marked trail. But despite its simplicity, the reward at the end is immense. You walk up to it and suddenly, the entire world seems to open up through that stone window. It’s one of those places where time feels like it slows down. People speak in hushed tones, cameras click softly, and everyone is just…watching. Watching the light change, the shadows dance, and the canyon come alive beneath the arch. It can get crowded at sunrise, but there’s a quiet reverence among those who make the early trek. It’s not just about the photo (though you’ll want to take plenty)—it’s about being there, in that moment, witnessing something timeless. Mesa Arch may not be the biggest or the longest, but it holds something special. It’s one of those rare places that stays with you, long after you’ve walked back to your car.

Mesa Arch is truly a breathtaking natural wonder. The arch itself is stunning, especially at sunrise when the light filters through and creates a magical glow. The hike to the arch is relatively easy and offers incredible views of the surrounding canyon and landscape. It’s a perfect spot for photography and appreciating the beauty of nature. I visited with friends, and we were all in awe of the scenery. It’s definitely a must-see destination for anyone exploring the area!

Mesa Arch is a really neat place to go during sunrise. The way the arch underside illuminates is really neat. With that being said, there are some things you need to know if you go. First, you need to get to the arch at least 1 hr 30 minutes before dusk so that you can get a parking spot and a good spot to take pictures or make videos during the sunrise. It gets crowded quickly. It's about a 5 minute (8-10 minutes if it's dark) from the parking lot to the arch. Second, don't expect the arch "glow" to be some super vibrant orange florescent glow like what you may see online. 99% of those pictures are edited with over saturation. Honestly, you will see a definite glow but nothing over the top. It's still worth it though. Third (this is my biggest pet peeve that has nothing to do with the arch itself) don't stand in front of someone taking pictures or making videos. If you are not up front, that's your fault for not getting there super early. This actually goes for every place that you visit. With all that being said, enjoy the Mesa Arch at Canyonlands!!!