Roadside Attraction Arch Canyon Overlook

Cedar Mesa

Overview

( Rated 5.0 / 3 Ratings )

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RATING: Roadside Attraction

LENGTH: less than 1 hour

MAPS: South Long Point, UT

Sun

49 | 31

Mon

51 | 33

Tue

48 | 30

Wed

44 | 30

Thu

42 | 26

View Full Weather Details

SEASON: Any, roads may be impassable in the winter or after heavy rain.

WATER: None.

Sun

49 | 31

Mon

51 | 33

Tue

48 | 30

Wed

44 | 30

Thu

42 | 26

View Full Weather Details

roadside

native american ruins

family friendly

access: high clearance

Big views across Arch Canyon

Arch Canyon overlook has to be one of the best primitive campsites around. The lofty overlook is perched high above Arch Canyon and provides big views into Arch Canyon and the surrounding area. A few ruins tucked under the viewpoint are the icing on the cake.

Arch Canyon Overlook - Cedar Mesa

Looking up Arch Canyon - Cedar Mesa

Getting There

Take highway 95 to milepost 101.8, which is 101.8 miles south east from Hanksville, or about 23 miles west of Blanding.

Reset your odometer as you leave the highway. ( 12S 611559mE 4155183mN / N37° 32' 13" W109° 44' 14" )
Follow this road (County Road 263) at 0.35 miles it crosses the South Fork of Mule Canyon. ( 12S 612010mE 4155242mN / N37° 32' 15" W109° 43' 56" )
It crosses the North Fork of Mule at 1.0 miles. ( 12S 612300mE 4156009mN / N37° 32' 39" W109° 43' 44" )
Just after crossing the North Fork of Mule Canyon is a junction, go left. ( 12S 612379mE 4156028mN / N37° 32' 40" W109° 43' 40" )
5.2 junction, stay right on the most used road. ( 12S 609449mE 4160003mN / N37° 34' 50" W109° 45' 38" )
Continue to 6.4 miles where a spur road goes off on the right. Most vehicles can make it this far. Some may want to walk the last 0.2 miles down to the overlook. It is a bit steep and rough. ( 12S 608839mE 4161860mN / N37° 35' 51" W109° 46' 01" )

Looking Down Arch Canyon - Cedar Mesa

Setting sun on Arch Canyon

Route

From the parking spot, a metal staircase allows easy access out to the point and its lofty views.

Walking either up or down canyon along the rim for a couple of minutes, then looking back at the point, shows several ruins well hidden right under the point. There appears to be no easy, non-technical way to reach them from above.