Balanced Rock — Attraction in Moab

Visiting Balanced Rock in Utah was an unforgettable experience. As I drove into Arches National Park, it was impossible to miss this towering formation standing prominently against the vast desert landscape. Seeing it in person is even more impressive than in photos-this massive boulder seems to defy gravity, perched delicately on a narrow pedestal.

The trail around Balanced Rock was short and easy, making it perfect for a quick walk to take in the different angles of this natural wonder. I stopped several times just to marvel at how it has stayed balanced through time and erosion. The contrast between the deep red rock and the blue sky was stunning, and it felt even more magical as the sun started to set, casting warm golden tones over the rock.

What struck me the most was how peaceful it felt. Even with other visitors around, there was something serene about standing so close to such an incredible example of nature’s artistry. I couldn’t help but think about how temporary it is-one day, this formation will no longer exist.

Balanced Rock is more than just a photo op; it’s a reminder of how fragile and fleeting these natural wonders are. If you’re in Arches National Park, it’s a must-see, even if you only have a short amount of time. It’s one of those places that stays with you long...

Balanced Rock is one of the most popular features of Arches National Park, situated in Grand County, Utah, United States. Balanced Rock is located next to the park's main road, at about 9.2 miles from the park entrance. It is one of only a few prominent features clearly visible from the road.

The total height of Balanced Rock is 128 feet, with the balancing rock rising 55 feet above the base. This rock is the largest of its kind in the park, weighing approximately 3,577 tons. Balanced Rock is composed of the hard Slick Rock Member of the Entrada Sandstone. It sits on a pedestal of the softer Dewey Bridge Member which erodes faster than then the rock above. This will cause the eventual collapse of balanced rock. Balanced Rock had a smaller sibling named "Chip-Off-the-Old-Block" that collapsed in the winter of 1975–76 as a result of the same forces.

From the main road, there is a 1/4 mile loop trail leading to the base of the formation.

The Balanced Rock can be seen in the opening of the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the...

Celebrated my birthday with a milestone! I can't believe we didn't do this sooner. After 7 trips to Utah; two visits to Bryce NP and five to Zion NP, we finally COMPLETED Utah's Mighty 5! 🙏 • Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks in 4 days was definitely not enough considering the 7 hrs one-way drive from home, BUT we made it work! 👍 Hiking only the ones we can and stopped at overlooks we wanted to see made our trip a success. We'll come back another time to explore more.. or maybe move forward to other NPs! 😂 • “It seems that the more places I see and experience, the bigger I realize the world to be. The more I become aware of, the more I realize how relatively little I know of it, how many places I have still to go, how much more there is to learn.” – Anthony Bourdain • #nationalpark #arches #archesnationalpark #canyonlands #canyonlandsnationalpark #capitolreef #capitolreefnationalpark #deadhorsepoint #park #moab #utah #view #views #overlook #hiking #travel #roadtrip #outdoors...