Dry Mesa Overlook
Dry Mesa Overlook sits at mile 12 of 44 along the Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway, at an elevation of 5,242 feet. The terrain drops 1,247 feet within 600 meters of the overlook, facing 300 degrees. South Window, South Window Viewpoint, North Window, and Turret Arch are visible to the west and west-northwest, between 2.9 and 3.1 miles out, with elevations from 5,308 to 5,360 feet. Double Arch and Ribbon Arch lie farther west-northwest at 3.5 miles, at 5,388 and 5,601 feet respectively. The facing direction points toward the sunset, offset 30 degrees from square. Moab is 8.0 miles to the south-southwest, Green River is 42.8 miles west-northwest, and Loma is 50.7 miles northeast. Colorado River Overlook precedes this stop, and Castle Valley Overlook follows it along the byway.
What you’re looking at
Named terrain inside the view from this overlook, nearest first.
- South Window5,322 ftwest-northwest · 2.9 mi
- South Window Viewpoint5,322 ftwest · 2.9 mi
- North Window5,360 ftwest-northwest · 3.0 mi
- Turret Arch5,308 ftwest · 3.1 mi
- Double Arch5,388 ftwest-northwest · 3.5 mi
- Ribbon Arch5,601 ftwest-northwest · 3.5 mi
Light
This overlook faces sunset — 30° off square to it.
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Golden hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| March equinox | 07:22 | 19:30 | 18:55 |
| June solstice | 05:54 | 20:47 | 20:07 |
| September equinox | 07:06 | 19:17 | 18:42 |
| December solstice | 07:33 | 17:01 | 16:19 |
Local time (America/Denver). Computed for this exact position.
Where it is
Mile 12 of 44 along Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway.
- Moab8.0 mi south-southwest
- Green River42.8 mi west-northwest
- Loma50.7 mi northeast
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How high is Dry Mesa Overlook?
Dry Mesa Overlook sits at about 5,242 feet (1,598 m).
What can you see from Dry Mesa Overlook?
From Dry Mesa Overlook: South Window (WNW, 2.9 mi); South Window Viewpoint (W, 2.9 mi); North Window (WNW, 3.0 mi); Turret Arch (W, 3.1 mi).
Is Dry Mesa Overlook better at sunrise or sunset?
Sunset. The land falls away from Dry Mesa Overlook toward the sunset, so at sunrise the light is behind you. Exact times shift through the year; the page shows the current window.
What is the nearest town to Dry Mesa Overlook?
Moab, 8.0 miles SSW of Dry Mesa Overlook.
What is the next lookout after Dry Mesa Overlook?
Castle Valley Overlook is the next surfaced lookout along the same route after Dry Mesa Overlook.
Drive to Dry Mesa Overlook with Byway
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Byways with this lookout
Day trips start here
- Arches National Park · 7 mi
Locals make it Verified.
Dry Mesa Overlook — confirmed, rated, and photographed by people who actually pulled over. A local confirmation is what upgrades a lookout from Discovered to Verified. Zero hallucinations.
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