Moab, Utah, offers stunning desert scenery that drops your jaw to the floor. From Arches National Park all the way to the Bentonite Hills, you’ll definitely want to take some epic pictures during your trip. So, to make things easier for you, here is a list of the absolute best Moab Instagram spots for iconic photos.
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Moab Instagram Spots In Arches National Park
Recommended camera lens:
The best camera lens for Arches National Park is a wide angle lens, such as the Sigma 18-35mm F/1.8.
1. Delicate Arch From The Iconic Angle (Moab Instagram Spots)
First and foremost, you will definitely want to take an Instagram photo at Delicate Arch inside Arches National Park. Delicate Arch is one of the most photographed arches in Moab, second only to Canyonlands’s Mesa Arch.
Unfortunately, Delicate Arch does require a steep hike; however, hikers of all levels and ages should be able to do the hike easily with occasional breaks.
2. Delicate Arch From Across The Bowl
Because Delicate Arch is such a popular Moab Instagram spot, finding a unique photographic angle will totally up-level your photo.
If you want a little hike in Instagram engagement (pun intended), try posting a photo with Delicate Arch across from the rock bowl that’s directly beneath the arch.
(Hint: the photos below were taken from the top of the trail where you first see Delicate Arch.)
3. Delicate Arch From The Trail
Likewise, another unique-yet-iconic photographic angle of Delicate Arch is from the actual trail.
Toward the top of the trail, there is a miniature arch formed up in the rock wall. You can see Delicate Arch from the inside of this arch.
With a little agility (and courage), you can easily climb up the wall into the arch for a perfectly framed, Instagram-worthy shot of Delicate Arch.
4. Double Arch (Moab Instagram Spots)
Other than Delicate Arch, there are several other epic Moab Instagram Spots inside of Arches National Park.
For example, Double Arch.
Double Arch, as the name implies, is a series of two arches that formed closely together. The best photos of Double Arch can be taken by climbing into the archway or by climbing onto the giant boulder that sits in front of the archway (example shown below).
5. Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch is another legendary (and, therefore, highly photographed) rock formation inside Arches National Park.
Contrary to every other arch in Moab, the bridge of Landscape Arch spans a whopping 306 feet across even though it’s only 11 feet thick, according to the National Park Service. This makes Landscape Arch one of the longest, thinnest arches in the world and, of course, one of the most photogenic places in Moab.
6. Sand Dune Arch (Moab Instagram Spots)
Similarly, the hike to Sand Dune Arch is also easy and worthwhile — even more so than Landscape Arch.
If you’re up for a pleasant 0.3 mile walk, you will be able to take photos like the plethora of other Sand Dune Arch photos that have blown up on Instagram lately.
7. Balanced Rock
In addition, Balanced Rock is a classic Arches National Park feat. As the name suggests, Balanced Rock is a thin, skyscraper-tall formation with a large and seemingly tipping rock balancing atop.
For a fun, touristy Moab Instagram picture, take a photo under Balanced Rock and align the camera so that you appear to be carrying (or catching) the top of the rock formation.
8. Courthouse Towers
Courthouse Towers is a series of massive red rock formations, including Sheep Rock and the Three Gossips.
If you’re looking for an Insta-worthy shot of the notorious red-rock giants that Moab is known for, this is the spot to do so.
Moab Instagram Spots In Canyonlands National Park
Recommended camera lens:
The best camera lens for Canyonlands National Park is a telephoto lens, such as the Canon Ef 75-300mm F/4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens.
9. Mesa Arch (Moab Instagram Spots)
Believe it or not, Mesa Arch is the most photographed arch in all of Utah.
So, obviously, you’ll want a photo of and/or with it.
Located inside Canyonlands National Park, Mesa Arch requires a brief 0.7-mile hike to reach. People of any hiking level should be able to reach Mesa Arch with ease.
In addition, travel photographers flock to Mesa Arch every morning in hopes of capturing the sunrise that peaks just under the arch, just beyond the canyon. If you’re up for a pre-sunrise hike, the photos will definitely be worthwhile — even though the arch will likely be crowded.
If you’re not a morning person, don’t worry! You can still take an incredible photo of Mesa Arch. Try finding a unique angle or striking a silly pose if you’re aiming for a less touristy photograph.
10. Shafer Canyon Overlook
The good news about Canyonlands National Park is that the majority of its Moab Instagram spots don’t require any hiking at all.
In fact, all of the best Instagram spots in Canyonlands except Mesa Arch are parking lot pull-offs.
Shafer Canyon Overlook is the first of these photo locations, boasting an epic and viral view of a huge dirt-road-filled canyon.
11. Buck Canyon Overlook (Moab Instagram Spots)
Furthermore, Buck Canyon Overlook (another parking lot pull-off) consists of a vast distant canyon that quite literally looks like a crack in the earth.
If you like a challenge, walk around the small overlook area and try to find a unique photographic angle.
12. Candlestick Tower Overlook
Lastly, for Canyonlands National Park, Candlestick Tower Overlook is home to another unbelievably vast canyon.
(Honestly, who knew Utah had this many canyons?)
The especially noteworthy part of this particular canyon that differentiates it from the other Moab Instagram spots is the red-rock candlestick that towers in the distance.
Additionally, Candlestick Tower Overlook is the best location for sunset in Canyonlands National Park, as the sun sets just beyond the featured canyon.
Moab Instagram Spots Outside The National Parks
13. Corona Arch (Moab Instagram Spots)
Corona Arch is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful and photogenic natural arch rock formations in the entire United States. Although Delicate Arch inside Arches National Park may be the most famous Moab arch, Corona arch comes in as a close second.
Unlike Delicate Arch, Corona Arch is located outside the national parks on BLM land, which means the arch is completely free to visit year-round.
(Photographers, this also means you can fly your recreational drone here!)
14. Bowtie Arch
In addition, neighbor to Corona Arch is the unique Bowtie Arch. As you could imagine, Bowtie Arch gets its name from its one-of-a-kind bow-tie shape.
Although Corona Arch is much more impressive than Bowtie Arch, the uniqueness and proximity of Bowtie Arch to Corona Arch is worth noting, nonetheless.
You can expect a moderate round-trip, out-and-back hike under 2.5 miles to get to both Corona and Bowtie Arches. The trail is marked; however, the painted footprint markings are wearing. You have to scramble and hunt for the right direction sometimes, so it is advisable to download or screenshot the AllTrails trail map for Corona and Bowtie Arches, just in case.
Pro tip: go just before sunrise for a chance to have the arches to yourself!
15. Railroad At The Corona & Bowtie Arch Trailhead
At the trailhead for the Corona and Bowtie Arches, right next to the parking lot, you will see a giant, bright-orange, man-made canyon with a railroad.
This railroad is one of the most unique and underrated Instagram spots in all of Moab — and maybe all of Utah.
Although the Corona and Bowtie Arches most definitely steal the show, you can’t forget to take a photo with this canyon-carving railroad.
16. Bentonite Hills (Moab Instagram Spots)
Next, the Bentonite Hills have taken travel Instagram by storm in the past two years.
These rainbow mountains, otherwise nicknamed as “Mars,” are located only two hours outside of Moab but will transport you to another planet.
Drones are legal to fly here as well, so bring your drone and your favorite wide angle lens to capture this epic, otherworldly masterpiece.
17. With Petroglyphs On Potash Road
Although petroglyphs can be found all over Moab (such as inside Arches National Park near the Delicate Arch trailhead), the short petroglyph hike on Potash Road (highway UT 279) is arguably the most fun.
The quick hike’s trailhead to the ancient petroglyphs is located on Potash Road at Poison Spider Trail. Expect the hike to take roughly 30 minutes or less, including the below hunt for dinosaur footprints.
18. With Dinosaur Footprints On Potash Road
On the same hike as the Potash Road petroglyphs, you can search for real dinosaur footprints that have been fossilized into the desert rock.
It may take you a minute to find the dinosaur tracks, but it is very worth the hunt. Look for BLM signs on the hike to direct you and show you exactly where the dinosaur tracks are.
(Hint: The dinosaur footprints in Moab are on a giant rock slab about halfway up to the Potash Road petroglyphs.)
Know of any more Moab Instagram spots that aren’t listed here? Let me know in the comments sections below!
And, be sure to follow me on Instagram where I post daily travel photography tips and Instagram inspiration.
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