The hike to Moonshine Arch is a must-see when visiting Vernal, UT. It's not terribly long (3 miles round-trip) and offers some amazing views.
The trailhead is located about 8 miles outside of Vernal, just past Steinaker State Park. See directions here. There's a large parking area, which can fill up on a busy day. But, even if there are a lot of hikers, the trail is spread out enough that it won't feel crowded.
The first part of the trail is all sand. Kids love it. The sand isn't that bad though and doesn't last the duration of the hike.
Along the way, there are plenty of wildflowers and rock formations to see, and the hike goes by fairly quickly.
Towards the end of the hike, you'll come to a sign about Moonshine Arch Recreation Area. When you see this, you know that you're getting close.
The trail approaches the arch from the side, so you won't be able to see it right away. If you're feeling adventurous, you can scramble on up and walk out on top of the arch.
If you keep following the trail, you'll come to a better viewing spot of the arch. The arch is massive at 85 feet long.
There are plenty of places to take photos, and you'll want to see it from different angles.
You can also climb up under the arch. There are some huge rock overhangs you can explore, as well as a "mini arch" that you can climb through.
When you're ready to leave, don't put your camera away - the views on the way back are just as beautiful.
If you want to skip the hike altogether (like this guy), the trail is fully OHV accessible.
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