Balanced Rock Trail is a 0.3 mi trail with 35 ft of climbing — about 5m of moving time before you stop for anything. Dogs are not allowed, and we rate it comfortable from age 3. About 5% of it is shaded, and no refill point is recorded on the route.
Underfoot & overhead paved start, then steps and uneven rock
0.3 mi and 35 ft of climbing work out to 5m of moving time — before you stop for anything. No refill is recorded on the route — you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
Get the summer refuel plan →NAISMITH · CDC · ACSM · how these numbers are worked out
In July, Arches National Park runs around 100°F at the main visitor elevation, and this route gives you almost nothing to hide under. With no refill recorded on the route, everything you drink starts in your pack.
102°F · Patchy Smoke · wind 0 to 10 mph
NOAA forecast for Arches National Park — not for this trailhead specificallyAll fires are prohibited. Only petroleum or propane-fueled stoves or grills are allowed in backcountry campsites, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Fireworks are never allowed. Smoke only inside vehicles or in developed...
Live NPS alert for Arches National Park · sourcePlanning to visit Arches this year? To ensure the best experience, please anticipate potentially long wait times at the entrance station. If trailhead parking is full, plan to return a little later. Please avoid...
Live NPS alert for Arches National ParkAbout 5m of moving time for 0.3 mi and 35 ft of climbing — that is Naismith's planning rule, so it counts walking only, with nothing for photos, lunch or the queue at the top.
Planning figures for that much moving time are 0.1–0.1 L, cool day to hot. No refill point is recorded on the route, so you carry all of it. Informational only, not medical advice.
No — Balanced Rock Trail is closed to dogs. Our Arches National Park dog guide lists the trails where they are welcome, plus boarding and the nearest 24/7 vet.
We rate it comfortable from age 3. It is not a stroller route. That rating is our own hand-check of length, footing and exposure, not an official NPS grade.
About 5% of the route is shaded, and Arches National Park peaks around 100°F in its hottest month. The less shade a route has, the more of it you want behind you before midday.