A boulder the size of three school buses perches at the top of a rocky spire in one of Arches National Park’s most famous sites.
You may experience a sense of vertigo when looking at Balanced Rock, which seems at once eternal and always on the verge of crashing down onto the rocks below. Formed over millions of years, Balanced Rock reaches 128 feet (39 meters) in height and was once concealed within the cliff of Dewey Bridge mudstone that still forms its pedestal. As some of the mudstone wore away, Balanced Rock emerged, becoming more precipitous over time. Visit this natural marvel, one of the few attractions within Arches National Park that you can see easily from the road.
Enjoy the drive to Balanced Rock past the park’s red cliffs and otherworldly formations. Join other visitors in the parking lot staring at the gravity-defying shape of the spire. Spot its smaller neighbor, Chip Off the Old Block, whose matching stone came tumbling down more than 40 years ago. Rejoice that Balanced Rock has not yet had a similar fall.
Continue admiring from the parking lot or take the 0.3-mile (0.5-kilometer) round-trip hike that skirts the edge of the formation, perfect for unusual perspectives and photos.
Arrive at midday for a convivial atmosphere or return at sunset to watch the rock and its surroundings turning a flaming red. At night, bring a camera and a thermos for a long evening of stargazing beyond the spire’s dark silhouette.
Balanced Rock is near the main road in Arches National Park, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) from the park entrance. Drive north from Moab, the nearest town to the park, in about 30 minutes or from the park entrance in about 15 minutes. Use the small parking lot near Balanced Rock if you wish to walk the trail around the base of the rock. Note that this space can get crowded during peak season.
Look for the picnic area and toilet across from Balanced Rock. The park itself is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Visitors Center is open daily during regular business hours. Pay the weekly fee for entering the park or purchase an annual pass that provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.
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