Arches National Park is Amazing, But These 15 Spectacular Arches Outside the Park Will Blow Your Mind Too

Utah is famous for its natural arches, and while Arches National Park gets most of the attention (with good reason), there are tons of jaw-dropping arches outside the park boundaries as well.

Arches are one of the most unique and rare rock formations in nature, as they require just the right mix of geologic conditions and erosion over thousands to millions of years to form. Utah happens to have one of the highest concentrations of natural arches in the world, and these incredible formations are truly a wonder to see in person.

Now technically, we have both arches and natural bridges on this list. What’s the difference? Arches are typically formed by wind and erosion wearing away softer rock layers, while natural bridges are carved by flowing water.

However, I chose to include both on this list (though certainly more arches than bridges) because even if the formation process is different, the end result can look remarkably similar. To the casual observer, it’s usually impossible to tell the difference, and all of them are spectacular feats of nature and deserve a visit!

15 Magnificent Arches in Utah Not In Arches National Park

1. Corona Arch

Corona Arch is easily one of the most popular arches in Utah outside the national parks, and once you see it, you’ll understand why. It’s huge (105 feet tall) and dramatic as it sweeps outward from the canyon wall in a massive curve.

The trail to reach it is just 2.4 miles round trip and has a great mix of scenery and fun features. You’ll hike across slickrock and past several alcoves and smaller arches carved into the cliffs, with wide-open views across the canyon.

About a mile in, you’ll hit the most adventurous part of the trail: a steep slickrock slope with a fixed chain to help you climb, followed by a short metal ladder section.

From there, the trail curves around the edge of a sloping ridge, and you’ll catch your first full glimpse of Corona Arch—with Bowtie Arch sitting in the rock wall just beside it. The final approach is stunning, and the trail leads you right under this massive formation.

2. Funnel Arch

Funnel Arch is a lesser-known spot just outside Moab, tucked high into a sandstone cliff with sweeping views over the surrounding desert. It’s a beautiful arch—wide on one side, narrower on the other, giving it a slightly funneled shape—and it catches the light in a way that really makes the rock glow, especially near sunset.

The hike to Funnel Arch is short, just 1.5 miles round trip, but it’s definitely on the adventurous side. The route takes you across slickrock, through shallow canyons, and up quite a few scrambling sections, including one relatively tricky, short but almost vertical ascent.

The trail isn’t well-marked, so download a map before you go. The effort is worth it, though, because at the top you’ll find the arch tucked into the cliffside. It’s quiet, scenic, and feels like a hidden corner of Moab that not many people get to see.

3. Morning Glory Bridge

Tucked deep into the curves of Grandstaff Canyon, Morning Glory Bridge is one of the most impressive natural spans in Utah. Measuring 243 feet long, it’s the sixth-longest natural bridge in the country, and the way it stretches along the canyon wall, separated from the cliffside by a small gap, is seriously stunning.

The bridge is the grand finale of the 4.5-mile round-trip Grandstaff Canyon Trail. This hike follows a shallow stream through a twisting red rock canyon, with tall cliffs and scattered greenery lining the way. It’s fairly easy overall—just 300 feet of elevation gain—but you’ll cross the stream several times (which honestly makes the trail even more adventurous).

It’s a gorgeous trail in its own right, but Morning Glory Bridge is quite the cherry on top.

4. Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch is one of the most popular trails in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, and is certainly one of the most iconic arches in Utah. The trail is short and easy (just 0.5 miles round trip), but the views are nothing short of epic.

The arch itself sits dramatically on the edge of a cliff, with the vast Colorado River Basin spread out below, spires and pillars dotting the mid-ground, and the snow-capped La Sal mountains rising in the distance. It’s an incredible scene, framed perfectly by the arch.

Most people come at sunrise, when the sun rises behind the mountains and lights up the underside of the arch in a brilliant orange glow. But sunset is also stunning—the warm evening light floods the valley in shades of gold, pink, and purple. It’s not just the arch—it’s everything around it that makes this spot so breathtaking.

5. Druid Arch

Deep in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, Druid Arch is one of the most striking and underrated arches in Utah.

Towering at 150 feet, this massive formation resembles the stones at Stonehenge—its sharp angles and size give it a commanding, almost ancient feel. And situated on a ledge, surrounded by striped spires and bulbous domes, the setting is just as jaw-dropping as the arch itself.

Hiking to Druid Arch isn’t easy—the hike is 10 miles round trip with over 1,400 feet of elevation gain. The trail winds through Needles rock formations, panoramic overlooks, narrow canyons, and a wide sandy wash before a steep final scramble deposits you at the base of the arch. It’s rugged, adventurous, and wildly scenic.

If you’re up for the effort, this trail is easily one of the best in Utah.

6. Jug Handle Arch

Jug Handle Arch is a mostly vertical arch built into the cliffside, and it’s definitely well-named—you can easily see how it resembles the handle of a pitcher. It’s located just a few minutes outside of Moab along Potash Road, right next to the Colorado River.

There’s a small pull-off where you can view the arch along the rock wall, making it a quick and easy stop while exploring the greater Moab area.

7. Jeep Arch

Jeep Arch is a fun and slightly offbeat trail that leads to one of the more unique arches near Moab. The arch sits high up on a sandstone fin and really does resemble the shape of a classic off-road vehicle—especially the squared-off “roof” and “hood” carved into the rock.

The hike itself is a moderate 4-mile loop, beginning with a tunnel that passes under the railroad tracks before climbing up into the rugged red rock landscape, with nice views back over the Colorado River at the beginning of the trail.

When you reach the arch, walk through the opening and climb around for views of the surrounding cliffs and mesas—I loved admiring the sweeping views in both directions.

8. Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge is one of the best stops along the Scenic Drive of Bryce Canyon National Park. The bridge towers 55 feet high and is carved from bright orange rock, contrasting sharply against the green pine forest visible through the opening.

While Bryce is known for its dense clusters of hoodoos, this viewpoint offers something a bit different. You still get the colorful cliffs and dramatic erosion, but with the added bonus of a perfectly framed arch that is almost like a window to the canyon below. It’s an easy pull-off and a quick stop, and a really nice viewpoint in the park.

9. Cassidy Arch

Cassidy Arch is probably the most iconic trail in Capitol Reef National Park, and one of the few arches in Utah you can actually walk on! The trail is a 3.1-mile round trip with about 666 feet of elevation gain—a moderate hike that’s worth every step.

The trail starts in Grand Wash Canyon, then quickly veers off and climbs sharply up the canyon wall. Once you hit the ridge, the trail follows the curve of the mountainside, winding in and out with incredible views across the canyon. You’ll first reach a dramatic overlook of the arch, perched high on a shelf with the cliffs dropping off below.

From above, the arch is wide and sturdy, with sweeping views in every direction. What surprised us most was the back side—there’s a hidden opening you don’t see until the very end, and the view through it is wild.

There are even metal anchors at the top for those who want to rappel down, but for most visitors, just standing on top of the arch is adventurous enough.

10. Hickman Bridge

Hickman Bridge is one of the most popular rock formations in Capitol Reef, and it’s easy to see why. This natural bridge is 125 feet tall, spans 133 feet wide, and is surrounded by rugged yet picturesque terrain. The trail offers several angles to admire it—from a distance as you approach, directly underneath the span, and even from behind.

The trail itself is a 1.7-mile round trip with 416 feet of elevation gain. It starts by following the Fremont River, then climbs steadily up the canyon wall. There’s even a small arch or cave-like formation right along the trail before you reach the main event.

It’s a short, easy hike with a big reward, and definitely a must-see in Capitol Reef.

11. Elephant Arch

Elephant Arch really does look just like its name, with the cliffside resembling an elephant profile and eye, and the arch almost uncannily resembling a trunk stretching toward the ground.

The hike to the arch isn’t terribly long (4 miles round trip), but it’s through a deep sandy wash, which makes the walk more tiring than you might expect. The arch is tucked into a rocky cliff with plenty of surrounding boulders and ledges to scramble around and explore.

And you definitely should explore—the view from the front still looks like an elephant, but the view from the back is definitely the best. All in all, this is a fun hike near St. George to check out if you’re in the area.

12. Rainbow Bridge

Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in the world—and it’s also one of the most remote. Located off the shores of Lake Powell, this massive bridge is 290 feet high and 270 feet long.

Reaching Rainbow Bridge isn’t exactly easy. There’s no road access, so you’ll need to either take a boat across Lake Powell or hike roughly 14 miles around Navajo Mountain. The hike requires a permit from the Navajo Nation, or you can take your personal watercraft out or join a full-day guided boat tour.

Beyond its size and beauty, Rainbow Bridge is significant in that it is considered sacred by the Navajo people and symbolizes the deities responsible for bringing rain—an essential force of life in the desert.

13. Johnson Arch

Johnson Arch, located in Snow Canyon State Park, is an quick, scenic trail that delivers great views without much effort. The 1.7-mile round trip hike takes you into Johnson Canyon, a rocky gorge with tall cliffs, scattered trees, and desert vegetation. It’s a peaceful, pretty trail that gradually narrows as you approach the end of the canyon.

About halfway in, keep your eyes to the right—Johnson Arch appears tucked high into the cliff wall. At 200 feet long, it’s an impressively large span that’s hard to miss. The arch is behind a protective fence, so you won’t be able to walk right up to it, but it’s still an awesome view from the trail.

The canyon eventually closes in where tall fins of rock meet and create a natural dead end. It’s a quiet, shaded spot that feels like a tucked-away little corner of the park.

One important note: the Johnson Canyon Trail is only open from mid-September through mid-March. It’s closed the rest of the year to protect nesting birds, so make sure to plan accordingly.

14. Natural Bridges National Monument

Natural Bridges National Monument was the first national monument established in the USA, and is home to three massive natural bridges: Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo. Each is enormous, with a unique shape and character, and you can either view them from above or hike down to gawk at them from below.

The Sipapu and Kachina trails are steeper and more adventurous, while the short trail to Owachomo is much easier, but still delivers a jaw-dropping view. This is an incredible, off-the-beaten-path destination to see some of Utah’s most dramatic natural spans up close.

15. Wilson Arch

Wilson Arch is a massive roadside arch easily admired from a pull-off along Highway 191, about 25 miles south of Moab. With a 91-foot span and 46-foot height, it’s impressively large, especially given how accessible it is.

You can admire the arch right from the road, but if you’re up for a quick climb, you can do the 5-minute scramble up the slickrock slope and stand directly beneath it.

There’s not much else immediately around, which makes stumbling upon such a dramatic formation feel even more special. If you’re heading from Moab toward the Needles District of Canyonlands, this is a quick and fun stop along the way.

The Wrap Up

Arches are some of the rarest geological features in the world, and Utah has an impressive concentration of them. While you should definitely consider exploring Arches National Park, you can also find these incredible formations all across southern Utah – and they are absolutey worth discovering.