Balanced Rock
- Physical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the physical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
- Technical DifficultyThis is the average user-submitted rating on the technical difficulty of this route. In general, green is beginner, blue is intermediate, black is advanced/most difficult and double-black is expert-only. It is recommended that users build up to black and double-black routes.
This quick jaunt from the parking lot brings you around the world famous Balanced Rock tower. Visible from miles away (even visible from our Portal Overlook hike), this amazing rock formation is an obvious roadside attraction.
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Route Description for Balanced Rock
This lollipop-loop hike leads out from the parking lot, then circles around Balanced Rock before returning back along the original approach. This is a very short hike, however, sections are quite rocky and may not be suitable for sandals or infants. Young children, however, should have a blast on this hike!
The rock ‘balanced’ on top is essentially the size of three school busses, and the entire tower totals at 39 m! From a distance, balanced rock and the towers surrounding it take the form of a hand. You will get very intimate views of the rocky tower, as well as magnificent panoramas of the towers and cliffs that are scattered throughout the plateau.
If you want to find other great hikes around Moab and Arches National Park, check out the Delicate Arch Hike, Double Arch Hike or the Dead Horse Point Hike.
Insider Hints for Balanced Rock
- If you are doing several hikes in Arches National Park in a single day, consider doing this one last as its parking lot is the least busy.
Getting to the Balanced Rock Trailhead
From Moab drive north along the 191, crossing the Colorado River until you reach the signposted turn towards Arches National Park. Pay your dues at the park entrance, then drive along the Arches Scenic Drive for 14.2 km. On the right will be a well signposted turnoff for Balanced Rock. There is a relatively small parking lot, however it clears quickly. No toilets are found at the trailhead.
Route Information
Balanced Rock Elevation Graph
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