Moonshine Arch is a 1.4 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Vernal, Utah that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
Moonshine Arch is a short walk into a sandstone ridge just north of Vernal.
170 Sotuh 500 East Vernal, UT 84078 435-781-4400
Look for mile post #359 and blue sign that reads 'Moonshine Arch'. Exit the road here and turn left at the intersection. Continue until you see a large green fence where you can park and begin your hike.
February 14, 2021okay, getting out there isn't as confusing and difficult as it may seem now. don't worry about a mailbox with the flag on it, don't worry about looking for a land for sale sign, all you need to do now is look for a blue sign on the side of the road that says moonshine arch. turn off the road onto the dirt road and drive until you get to an intersection and turn left. keep driving down the road until you get to a large green gate / fence. you're going to pass another one before you arrive to this one but it'll be easy to understand that the fence you pass is not the one you park at. right on the other side of the fence you'll walk down a gorge so you'll know you found the right spot. there seems to be different trails that Branch off of the moonshine Arch trail but you'll want to keep heading towards the mountain to your right, where you assume the arch is going to be. it's really easy to find.
January 26, 2021hidden gem, always love a place with no one else. was an adventure to get there though, part of the fun. DO NOT use the direction button, it takes you to someone's property thats not close to where the trailhead is. Follow the written directions ahead, mile marker 359, slight left into a gravel road, past the black for sale sign. The next road you take will be on the left it's by a property. If you get to the rodeo you've gone to fair. when you park you car you should see a red Moonshine Arch sign When walking the trail you come to a fork slightly after you start, take a right and that will lead you up.
January 18, 2021Need signs
January 17, 2021It is a beautiful natural arch with awesome scenery 360 degrees
October 24, 2020difficult to find the trailhead, look at below review for help. do not use Google maps! nice trail. only saw a few people.
October 17, 2020October 17, 2020Getting to the trailhead was a little tricky. Coming from Vernal, pass the reservoir and the state park entrance. The road bends to the right and there is a mailbox on the left with a flag on the top, plus a dirt road! Take the dirt road for a bit. You’ll come to a 3 way intersection-ish. Take a left and follow to the green gate and park.
October 10, 2020We really enjoyed getting to this hidden gem. The hike is fairly easy, a bit of a climb over slick rock and sand. The arch is breathtaking and a cool oasis after a warm and sunny hike.
September 26, 2020Great views
September 26, 2020Not well marked but the app was right on. Amazing sunset.
September 25, 2020Fun trail. Would have been near impossible for me to find without using all trails as there is no turn off info on the highway. Minimal markers on trail. Hiked it with my 5 and 8 year old and they had a blast. It’s still hot so we went early morning and it was beautiful to see the sun coming up over the arch.
September 24, 2020Nice short hike and pretty quiet on a weekday
September 24, 2020September 21, 2020Amazing Hike, However it was not a easy hike as the app stated, lots of steep climbs, Sandy and rocky slops. There was a few Jeeps and a side by side on the trails that passed by us. absolutely beautiful once you arrive to the destination. This app directions took us to the Lake and they gave us proper directions.
August 31, 2020Great hike...uphill in sand and smooth rocks at the end. Use this app to stay on the right trail..it’s not marked really at all. Worth the phenomenal views at the end.
August 22, 2020There are minimal signs for the amount of forks in the trail and very hard to find your way to it. No shade very hot and sandy.
August 22, 2020Very hot and steep 4WD road to arch. There was a pickup and a couple of atvs at the arch when I got there, so that kind of ruined it. 5 stars for the arch. 1 star for the “Trail”.
August 18, 2020Great trail and very well maintained after you get off the sand. Family friendly and very easy hiking. Hidden arch away from crowds and the masses of moab. Definitely a gem in Vernal! Just to clarify, park next to the green gate. That's where the trail begins. Lots of trails and other roads in the beginning of the hike and little direction is given at the trailhead. If you want more direction, I found this site to be extremely helpful http://www.girlonahike.com/2017/12/hiking-to-moonshine-arch.html
August 15, 2020Trailhead starts at Waypoint 3
August 3, 2020short hike with a pretty good reward. do not park at point where alltrails map marks the trailhead. drive further up the dirt road and park at waypoint 1. it will save u a very boring mile each way. watch out for well camoflaged snakes. I almost stepped on a small one. the arch is pretty cool, as is the alcove next to it.
July 28, 2020Beautiful arch and great place to explore!
