Arch Canyon Overlook

The view from the overlook into Arch Canyon is great any time but is spectacular at sunset

This overlook is not well known, so you likely will have it all to yourself, which is perfect to enjoy the solitude. Your viewpoint is out at the end of a rocky peninsula jutting into the canyon which gives you big views up and down the canyon. You should be able to spot at least one arch below you.

Use the steel steps to reach the overlook

After you enjoy the views, walk up and down the canyon rim and spot the ruins tucked in just below you.

Views up and down Arch Canyon from the overlook

Notes

Dogs Okay
The route is via dirt roads, passable with some clearance, an SUV or 4×4 is better
There is a campsite right at the overlook, so be courteous of those camping there
You can also explore the bottom of Arch Canyon to see ruins, petroglyphs and three arches

Photo Notes

At sunset the sun sets behind you, be there at least an hour before sunset time or the whole canyon is in shadow
The experience is just as good at sunrise

Getting to Arch Canyon Overlook

From Blanding take Highway 95 west for 23.5 miles.
The turnoff is to the right at about mile marker 102 onto County Road 263 at ( 37.537061, -109.737248 )

Continue for 1 mile and turn left onto Arch canyon road at ( 37.544442, -109.727697 ).
Continue 3.6 miles to the Y at ( 37.580639, -109.760556 ) bear right and continue for 1.3 miles where you will reach another fork at ( 37.597386, -109.767093 ), bear right and continue the short distance to the overlook.
The very last 200 feet to the overlook is down a steepish section, if in a car you probably want to stop at the top and scout this last section or just walk to the overlook from there

Explore Nearby...

Hikes...

The Five Kiva Ruins under the large alcove underhang

Five Kiva Ruins and arch

These ruins and are the closest ruins to see from Blanding. They are quite large and easy to access.

Arch Canyon and Walnut Knob

Arch Canyon has ruins and three arches, explore Walnut Knob to see amazing petroglyphs of hunting parties and game

House on Fire Ruins in Mule Canyon South Fork

There are many ruins in the canyon, but House on Fire ruin is the most famous of them, getting its name from the effects that the sunlight has on the sandstone cliff of the overhang that it is built under

Fallen Roof Ruin in Road Canyon

Road Canyon contains many ruins, granaries, and kivas. “Fallen Roof Ruin” derives its name from the elaborate pattern created by the missing sandstone slabs of rock that fell out of the roof of the alcove in front of it.

Butler Wash Ruins

Choose to view the ruins from an overlook or hike up the wash and explore the ruins close up

Lower Butler Wash Road - Hikes

Lower Butler Wash Road is a unique area of Comb Ridge, home to a dozen unmarked trailheads not published by the BLM or marked with signs. All are short hikes (1-3 miles round trip) that lead to amazing ancestral sites, caves and alcoves with 800-year-old ruins, petroglyphs, pottery shards and more.

Big Crane Petroglyph

A petroglyph panel with a graphic representation of a large crane and sun symbol

Multi-colored hand prints on the back wall

Double Stack Ruin

See a higher and lower set of ruins with painted handprints, metates, rockart and impressive mud mortared rock walled structures still standing

Pedestal Rock Ruins

A large intact ruin on top of a 400-foot rock pedestal with views out over Comb Ridge

Monarch Cave

Hidden up a side canyon of Comb Ridge is an impressive ruin complex with petroglyphs, pottery sherds, corn cobs, sharpening grooves, and grinding metates.

Wolfman Panel

Hike to see multiple rock art panels with one with a unique wolfman like figure, across the canyon are ruins you can continue to

Butler Wash Dinosaur Tracksite

See two sets of Allosaurus dinosaur tracks from 160 million years ago

Fishmouth Cave

A short easy hike to a large cave with handprints and metates, there are a number of smaller ruins to see along the trail.

Split Level Ruin

The hike to a ruin split over two ledges is filled with hundreds of pictographs, large rocks covered in metates, sharpening marks, pottery shards, and painted handprints

Goosenecks State Park ...

How to photograph the San Juan River’s double Goosenecks at Utah’s Goosenecks State Park

The park’s viewpoint overlooks the meander of two giant bends (goosenecks) of the San Juan River. Geologists consider this part of the river to be one of the finest examples of “entrenched meanders” anywhere in the world.

Scenic Drives...

Arch Canyon Overlook

Sit 400 feet above Arch Canyon and enjoy a great sunset

Recapture Pocket

This is a little visited but interesting location full of goblins and hoodoos contained in three main groups of formations relatively close to each other

Petroglyphs along highway 162

On Highway 162, stretching for 3 miles east from Bluff there are multiple rock art sites sitting right next to the highway.

Planning your visit to stunning Valley of the Gods in Utah

Valley of the Gods is a beautiful treasure waiting to be discovered, unlike Monument Valley, it is free, and you can explore without having to hire a tour guide