Hunter Arch is a beautiful arch located just minutes from downtown Moab, Utah. It is a leisurely stroll in Hunter Canyon to reach the arch. Most people will be perfectly happy hiking up Hunter Canyon and viewing the arch from the canyon floor. Even my 73-year-old mother made it up the canyon to this mid-sized arch. I, however, felt the calling of the arch and just had to make the scramble up to the arch and get under it. Why do I do this? Why do I want to stand under the arch? Even when you can see the arch better from the canyon floor. I guess that is just the way God made me, I have to get to the top of each canyon
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View the GPS file of the hike here https://www.strava.com/activities/10643207189
How to find Hunter Arch? To find Hunter Arch, turn south on Kane Creek Blvd at the McDonalds in downtown Moab. Follow the road for 7.5 miles until you reach a small turnoff on the left side of the road. If you have never been on Kane Creek Road, the road itself is worth a trip to Moab. Many of Moab's main attractions are located along Kane Creek Road.
How long is the hike to Hunter Arch? From the marked turn-off, park your car and hike up the canyon. The hike is only about 1.5 miles roundtrip and can be completed in one to two hours. I think the most interesting part of the hike was navigating through a cave formed in a huge boulder that had fallen off the cliff from high above.
Is the hike to Hunter Arch easy? The hike to the Hunter Arch viewpoint is easy and simply follows the floor of Hunter Canyon. There is no reason any person in decent shape couldn't complete this hike. The trail is mostly flat and both of my parents in their 70's were able to complete the short hike. We also saw several families with small kids along the trail. I always love any hike that enters the Behind the Rock Wilderness Areas. I love to admire the Navajo Sandstone fins that make up the top of the canyon walls.
Is it possible to climb up to Hunter Arch? If you want to climb up to the arch, you must complete a difficult scramble up a dry falls at the start of the climb. Luckily there were a few stacked boulders that allowed me to climb up and over the first ledge. If these boulders are gone, it would be much more difficult to reach the arch. Once over the first ledge, the scramble is easy but still very steep. Just take your time and be careful. If you fall here, you could get seriously hurt as you could simply tumble back down to the creek bed.
Is Hunter Arch a dog friendly hike?
Is Hunter Arch a kid friendly hike? Hunter Arch is both a kid-friendly hike and a dog-friendly hike. I would not recommend having your kids try to climb up to the arch, but the view from the creek bed should be straightforward. The same goes for dogs; it would be impractical to get a dog past the dry falls. Please remember other users and clean up after your pets.
Can I hike to Hunter Arch in the winter? If snow levels are low in the Moab area, the Hunter Arch hike can be one of the best hikes in all of Moab. The pictures shown here were taken in early January. There was little snow on the ground, and it wasn't too cold at mid-day. Pro tip, if snow accumulations are low in Moab, winter is the best time to visit Moab, you will feel like you have the entire place to yourself. Why fight with the summer crowds at Arches National Park? Hunter Arch is one of the best arches outside of Arches National Park. Also, the hike is easy with a big reward.
Is Hunter Arch crowded? Since there is very limited parking at the trailhead, it is likely you will only encounter a few other hikers. Due to the parking, I suggest you get an early start on this hike.