Angel Arch, Natural arch in The Needles, Canyonlands National Park, United States
Angel Arch is a natural stone formation in The Needles section of Canyonlands that rises 450 feet (140 meters) above the canyon floor. The opening of the arch measures 135 feet (41 meters) in height and 120 feet (37 meters) in width, creating a massive passage through the rock.
The formation received its official name of Angel Arch in 1963 when the United States Board on Geographic Names replaced its previous name Pegasus Arch. This naming came from the visual appearance of the rock formation resembling a winged figure.
The surrounding canyon holds traces of Ancestral Puebloan settlements with stone structures and rock art visible to hikers passing through. These remains show how people adapted to life in this remote canyon landscape long ago.
The hike to reach this arch is long and demanding, requiring good physical fitness and proper equipment for desert hiking. Visitors should bring plenty of water, food, and navigation tools to stay safe on the route.
The arch's shape resembles an angel standing with folded wings and its back toward the opening, which inspired its name. This visual similarity becomes clearer when viewed from different angles along the approach trail.
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