Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Gunnar Heilmann
Gunnar Heilmann www.gunnarheilmann.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Omer Salom
Omer Salom osalom.myportfolio.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Helmut Koch - TimetoRide
Helmut Koch - TimetoRide www.timetoride.de
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Cal Holman
Cal Holman www.calandva.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
carlo alberto conti
carlo alberto conti www.carloalbertoconti.it
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Michael Keil
Michael Keil www.emkyle.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Steven Driesen
Steven Driesen www.lightscapes.be
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Omer Salom
Omer Salom osalom.myportfolio.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Steven Driesen
Steven Driesen www.lightscapes.be
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Cal Holman
Cal Holman www.calandva.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Cal Holman
Cal Holman www.calandva.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Cal Holman
Cal Holman www.calandva.com
Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, USA
Cal Holman
Cal Holman www.calandva.com
This photo is copyrighted by the author.
Thank you for respecting the rights and efforts of our photographers. Please contact the author for further information.

USA Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park

  • Please log in or sign up for free to see the GPS coordinates & weather for this photo spot
This is one of the most unique scenic views of the world. It's probably the only arch where the rising sunlight reflects so that the glowing bottom of the arch appears.

Photography Tips

This phenomenon can only be captured at sunrise. Don't forget your tripod.
Check the sky for the Milky Way can be a great astro site. Also if you get there for Astro you can just stay until sunrise. At night the trail is difficult so bring red light. Bring wide and long lenses as there are plenty of great compositions beyond the arch itself.
The best moment to take a picture is a the sunrise when the sun is visible under the arch and illuminates the underside of the arch.
You need to take at least two pictures (Exposure bracketing) at different exposure so that on one you get the sun and the sky, and on the other you get the rocks and the underside illumination.
You have to come there at least one hour before sunrise. It is likely you'll not be alone that's why you must come early to get a place.

Travel Information

Take an accommodation in Moab. From Moab, it's about a 45-minute car drive to the parking area. Then 20 minutes walk. You'd better arrive early because there is just limited space and this place is very crowded even in the early morning.
Spot Type Outdoor
Crowd Factor Lots of people
Best Timing Sunrise
Sunrise & Sunset 07:32 - 17:04 | current local time: 07:14
Photo Themes arch canyonlands Canyonlands National Park Canyons colorful Landscape Mesa Arch National Park nature Navajo Sandstone Arch reflection rivers rock formation Sun Sunrise utah

Get the exact geo-position for this spot

Log in to see the GPS coordinates, sun directions, and the map for this photo spot. Or simply bookmark it along with other spots to plan your next trip.

Spot Comments (3)

Please log in or sign up for free to leave a comment or ask a question.
Jay Moroso
Jay Moroso 29.04.2018
Awesome shot. How were you able to shoot into the sun without leaving the face of the arch in shadow? HDR? Flash?
Omer Salom
Omer Salom 29.04.2018 , edited
Thanks Jay. Your comment appears in both photos. Because I had lots of people with tripods behind me, and the sun was about to disappear from the perfect spot, I asked the other photographers if they didn't mind me getting in their way for just 5 seconds and took this photo handheld, hoping for IBIS to do it's thing. No HDR at all, no bracketing. Just a single shot, but the A99II has AMAZING shadow recovery. The other photo was taken using a tripod but same shadow recovery comment applies.
Michael Sass
Michael Sass 31.08.2017
Excellent shot, I will be making a excursion to this location! Very nice composition and lighting!

Ratings (14) starstarstarstarstar

starstarstarstarstar
12
starstarstarstarstar
2
starstarstarstarstar
0
starstarstarstarstar
0
starstarstarstarstar
0

Popular photo spots in this region

Thank you Simon Barrett for creating this photo spot in USA and Gunnar Heilmann, François Pellegrini, Omer Salom, Gary Leverett, Chris Myers, Cesar Virella, Helmut Koch - TimetoRide, Gerrit Ebert, Laipix Photography, FRANCOIS PIETTE, Cal Holman, carlo alberto conti, Michael Keil, dding, Steven Driesen, Tom Koltunowicz, Chris Br for improving it with additional photos or content.
Imprint & Contact © Locationscout 2024 Privacy / Terms