Balanced Rock Trail
Arches National ParkArches National Park, Geological Wonders
Difficulty: Accessible
Length: 0.3 miles (full loop)
Elevation Gain: 45 ft
Approximate Hiking Time: 0.5-1 hr
Features: Geological Wonders
Nearest Town: Moab, Ut
How can a rock that size balance like that?
Standing about 128ft tall and weighing in around 3600 lbs, Balanced Rock is a great stop for families visiting Arches National Park. It’s an accessible hike to the viewing point and an easy hike around the base of Balanced Rock that’ll get you up cloase and personal with one of the many natural wonders in the park.
- Trail Condition 100%
- Usage 100%
- Trail Head Easy to Find 100%
- Kid Friendly 100%
Hike Highlights
1. Balanced Rock
It’s 3600lbs and yet appears to be delicately balanced on another rock. Crazy.
2. Accessibility
While getting to the view point does require some walking, the trail is accessible, stroller friendly, and you actually don’t have to go to the view point to still enjoy this natural wonder.
3. Family Friendly
Whether you choose to head to the view point or complete the entire loop, this hike is a great option for the whole family.
Hike Overview
Trailhead Directions
Enter Arches National Park, which is a fee area. Follow the main road through the park for about 9.2 miles to the parking area for the Balanced Rock Trail.
Hike Details
From the Balanced Rock trailhead take the paved path to the view point about 0.15 miles away. This part of the trail is accessible and a great hike for people of all skill levels (even for those who are non-hikers).
If you’re up for a longer walk you can opt to take the trail around Balanced Rock from here. The surface of the trail is packed dirt and will give you different angles to check out Balanced Rock.
Why is this trail accessible?
The path from the trailhead to the viewing area is accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
More Hikes to Choose From
Check out this and other hikes in Arches National Park and Moab, Ut.
Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite, Green River, Ut
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 0.3
Elevation Gain: 66 ft
Discover, touch, and ponder a sampling of the enormous diosaur tracks that can still be seen at Copper Ridge Dinosaur Tracksite.
Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trail, Arches National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Easy
Length: 1.4 miles
Elevation Gain: 183 ft
On this trail visit Broken and Sand Dune Arch. Two cool arches located in Arches National Park that are slightly off the beaten path.
Delicate Arch Viewpoints, Arches National Park, Ut
Difficulty: Accessible
Length: 0.1 – 1 mile
Elevation Gain: 10 – 141ft
Delicate Arch is synonymous with Utah. While you won’t be able to reach out and touch Delicate Arch from here, you still get great views at a distance.