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Kerkphil CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Cliff Arch

Arch

A natural sandstone arch in Utah's red‑rock country reached by short hikes; Cliff Arch draws photographers, hikers and geology enthusiasts admiring desert rock formations.

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In this guide

Cliff Arch essentials

Address: Cliff Arch, near Capitol Reef National Park vicinity, Utah (remote sandstone formation)
Admission: No fee (located within public land / Arches National Park area access may require park pass)
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Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Cliff Arch

Best in spring and autumn for comfortable hiking and good photographic light; summer can be very hot and winter cold and snowy in places.

Spring
Mar-May · 5-20°C
Comfortable hiking temperatures and wildflowers in lower elevations.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 5-22°C
Clear skies and crisp light make for excellent photography.
Summer
Jun-Aug · 20-35°C
Hot; early starts required to avoid midday heat.

Weather & Climate near Cliff Arch

Climate

Cliff Arch's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 37°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Air Quality: AQI 18 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
-5°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - -5° - 6° -1° 12 mm - - 1.9 m/s - -
February - -2° - 11° 3° 9 mm - - 2.2 m/s - -
March - 2° - 16° 7° 15 mm - - 3.0 m/s - -
April - 6° - 21° 13° 11 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
May - 11° - 27° 19° 10 mm - - 3.5 m/s - -
June - 17° - 34° 25° 5 mm - - 3.4 m/s - -
July - 20° - 37° 29° 18 mm - - 2.9 m/s - -
August - 19° - 35° 27° 21 mm - - 2.7 m/s - -
September - 14° - 30° 22° 17 mm - - 2.6 m/s - -
October - 7° - 22° 15° 20 mm - - 2.2 m/s - -
November - 0° - 13° 5° 12 mm - - 2.2 m/s - -
December - -4° - 7° -1° 9 mm - - 1.9 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Cliff Arch

Cliff Arch is in southern Utah’s canyon country; approach via the nearest national park or BLM access road appropriate to the specific arch (regional visitor centers or park rangers provide the best final-route directions). Expect unpaved roads and short hikes from the nearest parking area.

Tips for Visiting Cliff Arch

  • Check trail conditions at the nearby visitor center-the access trail can be loose and exposed.
  • Visit in early morning or late afternoon for cooler temperatures and better light across the sandstone.
  • Don't rely on GPS for the final turn; regional signage can be sparse-ask park rangers for precise directions.