Overview
Arch Canyon sits in southeastern Utah’s Cedar Mesa to the north of Rout 95. It is so called because of a number of arches at the upper end of the canyon. An 8.5 mile long 4WD road takes you from the mouth of the canyon in Comb Wash to where Texas Canyon branches off of Arch Canyon crossing the stream countless times. Cathedral Arch will be visible from the end of the road. A half mile hike on a trail will take you to where Angel Arch comes to view.
This is a description of an 18.2 mile roundtrip hike from Comb Wash to Angel Arch and back. On the day that I did this hike, I was lucky enough to not see any vehicles or even hikers but beware that loud annoying ATVs and motorcycles may be present on the road. Like many other nearby canyons, Arch Canyon contains a number of Native American ruins. I went to a fenced area of ruins near the beginning of the canyon but did not see anything that I wanted to take pictures of. This page describes the natural features of the canyon and not the ruins. The external link at the bottom of the page provides some information about the ruins.
Getting There
From the junctions of Route 191 and 95 four miles south of Blanding, UT, turn west onto Route 95 and travel 14 miles to Comb Wash between mile markers 107 and 108. Turn right (north) onto County Road 229 (maybe marked as 205) which is a well graded dirt road. Drive for 2.1 miles and turn right at a T. A short distance after that, just before crossing the creek, I found a parking area on the left. My GPS measurements are from this spot. A road goes to the left (west) into Arch Canyon. You could potentially drive the road a slightly more until the start of 4WD.
Route
All distances are per my GPS
Place | Elevation | Distance |
Mouth of the canyon | 4950 ft | zero miles |
Jct. Hotel Rock Canyon | 5180 ft | 2.90 miles |
Dream Speaker Spire | 5350 ft | 2.40 miles |
Jct. North trending branch | 5480 ft | 1.60 miles |
End of Road | 5600 ft | 1.70 miles |
Angel Arch View | 5640 ft | 0.50 miles |
Total One Way | - | 9.10 miles |
From the parking area, head west up the road. You will soon find yourself inside the canyon. After crossing the stream for the first time, you will find a very short spur trail on the right that goes to a wall where ruins can be seen behind a protective fence. I did not take any pictures of the ruins.
In 2.9 miles, you will reach the junction with Hotel Rock Canyon on the right (north).
Junction with Hotel Rock Canyon
Continuing up the main canyon.
Dream Speaker Spire comes to view.
Dream Speaker Spire |
Dream Speaker Spire |
Looking back at the spire.
Dream Speaker Spire
Open canyon floor.
More canyon views.
Another look back at Dream Speaker Spire.
Dream Speaker Spire
This impressive horn appears near the junction of a north trending side canyon.
Nameless arch/alcove after the side canyon.
Near the end of the road at the junction of Texas Canyon.
Cathedral Arch will be visible from the end of the road.
Cathedral Arch |
Cathedral Arch |
Head north following a trail at the bottom of Arch Canyon.
In half a mile from the end of the road, Angel Arch comes to view.
Angel Arch External Links
http://www.gjhikes.com/2016/11/arch-canyon.html.