Balanced Rock

Balanced Rock is one of the most immediately arresting geological features in Arches National Park — a 128-foot-tall formation capped by a 3,577-ton boulder balanced on a dramatically thinning pedestal of rock. For kids, it triggers an instinctive, joyful reaction: that thing should not be able to stand up. The fact that it does, and has for thousands of years, is pure wonder.

The access trail is one of Arches' most family-friendly features: a 0. 3-mile paved loop that circles the formation at its base. Toddlers in strollers can complete it.

The loop takes 20–30 minutes at a relaxed pace and delivers striking perspective from multiple angles as you walk around the impossibly precarious rock. The photos here are iconic, and every family leaving Moab should have at least one with Balanced Rock in the frame.

For more active families, a 3-mile loop trail extends the exploration through the surrounding landscape of fins, towers, and eroded formations that characterize Arches. This longer option works for kids 6 and older with reasonable hiking fitness.

Balanced Rock sits about 9 miles from the Arches NP entrance on the main park road. In peak season (April through October), the park has implemented a timed entry reservation system to manage congestion — check NPS.gov before your visit to see if reservations are required on your travel dates. The parking area at Balanced Rock fills quickly on busy mornings.

Arches National Park entry is $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, or covered by the $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass. For any family visiting multiple national parks on a road trip, the annual pass is an obvious value.