Top 5 Epic Views in Moab

Moab is packed with jaw-dropping scenery, but there are a few spots that deliver views so epic they’ll stop you in your tracks. These are the top 5 epic views in Moab—the ones that make you pull out your camera, then put it away because no photo really does it justice. If you're planning a Moab itinerary, you may also like my guide to the Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots in Moab Utah for even more golden-hour inspiration.

1. Mesa Arch (Canyonlands)

• Trail Length: 0.7 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Easy

• Elevation Gain: About 100 ft

• Estimated Time: 30 minutes

• Best Time: Sunrise

Mesa Arch might be the most famous sunrise spot in Utah. The short, easy trail leads to an arch perched on the rim of a canyon, perfectly framing the La Sal Mountains in the distance. At sunrise, the underside of the arch glows fiery orange—it looks like the rock itself is lit from within.

When I went, it was rainy and gray, so no fiery glow. But honestly? The moody sky made it dramatic in its own way. Pro tip: don’t stop at the arch—walk past it and look back for a bigger, less crowded perspective.

2. Delicate Arch (Arches National Park)

• Trail Length: 3 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Strenuous (steep, exposed rock)

• Elevation Gain: About 500 ft

• Estimated Time: 2–3 hours

• Best Time: Sunset

Delicate Arch is the superstar of Utah—it’s on license plates, postcards, and every Moab t-shirt. The hike to get there is tough, mostly uphill with zero shade, but rounding the final corner and seeing the arch perched on the edge of a sandstone bowl makes it worth every step.

I did this at sunset, and the glow on the arch was unreal. Crowds can be heavy (my friend warned me it’s often 50+ people), but I lucked out with fewer. Plan to arrive at least an hour before sunset for photos and to soak in the scene.

Shortcut: If you’re not up for the full hike, check out the Lower and Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoints—you’ll still get a taste of the magic. If Delicate Arch is on your list too, check out my One Day in Arches National Park itinerary to help you plan the perfect visit.

3. Dead Horse Point State Park

• Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip to the main overlook (longer if you add rim trails)

• Difficulty: Easy

• Elevation Gain: Minimal

• Estimated Time: 30 minutes–3 hours depending on trails

• Best Time: Sunset

Dead Horse Point is often called “the Grand Canyon of Utah” and home to epic views in Moab—and it lives up to the name. From the overlook, the Colorado River makes a dramatic U-turn 2,000 feet below. The cliffs glow deep red in the evening light, and the scale is so massive it almost feels unreal.

I walked part of the West Rim Trail and added the Bighorn Overlook spur, which gave me one of my favorite views of the whole trip. For sunset, though, the main overlook is unbeatable. If you want to explore beyond the highlights, my Best Stops in Canyonlands National Park gives a deeper look at viewpoints and trails nearby.

4. Corona Arch

• Trail Length: 3 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Moderate (rock, ladder, and chain section)

• Elevation Gain: About 450 ft

• Estimated Time: 2 hours

• Best Time: Late afternoon

Corona Arch is just outside Arches National Park, and it feels like Moab’s hidden gem. The trail has a little bit of everything—slickrock, cairns to follow, a ladder, a chain to help up a slope—but it’s not overly technical.

The payoff? A massive arch (140 ft tall, 105 ft wide) that you can walk right under. Along the way, you’ll pass Bowtie Arch, a pothole arch carved into the cliff. I hiked it around 5 pm and had the place completely to myself—it felt like my own private show.

5. Double Arch (Arches National Park)

• Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip

• Difficulty: Easy

• Elevation Gain: Minimal

• Estimated Time: 20 minutes

• Best Time: Anytime

Double Arch is one of the most impressive spots in Arches—and it’s super easy to reach. Two massive arches share the same base, curving into the sky in a way that feels larger-than-life. Standing under them makes you feel tiny in the best possible way.

This one’s a photographer’s dream. Come in the late afternoon for softer light, or go at night to capture stars framed inside the arches.

Final Thoughts

Moab is full of views, but these five are the ones that stick with you long after the trip ends. From the fiery glow of Mesa Arch at sunrise to the sweeping drama of Dead Horse Point and the sheer scale of Double Arch, these spots prove that in Moab, every corner of the desert comes with a front-row seat to nature’s best show.

If you’ve only got time for a few highlights, stick to these five—you’ll walk away with memories and photos showcasing the best epic views in Moab. For more ways to explore the area, my Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary pairs these epic views with the best hikes, food, and hidden gems.