Stud Horse Point and Skylight Arch
Stud Horse Point is a marvelous place to explore and one of the most photogenic viewpoints just outside of Page. Especially around sunset, the sandstone cliffs glow warm shades of orange and red, and the landscape feels expansive and wild. From the rim you get sweeping views across the desert toward Lake Powell in the distance.
Beneath the cliffs below the viewpoint are two narrow slot canyons that can be accessed from below if you have the time and the adventurous spirit to look for them. Finding your way around the area is part of the adventure, and it’s easy to spend time wandering along the rim and exploring the surrounding sandstone formations.
A short distance away, the hike to Skylight Arch makes a great addition to a visit here. The arch itself is quite dramatic, with a circular opening high in the sandstone that allows sunlight to shine directly through. The hike is not difficult, but the open terrain invites a bit of off-trail exploration and offers beautiful long-distance views across the surrounding desert.
My AllTrails route shows the way I explored the area that day. It isn’t the most direct route to Skylight Arch—I wandered quite a bit—but it should give you a helpful sense of how the viewpoint, arch, and surrounding terrain connect. The sandy roads in the area are generally passable in dry weather, though you’ll want to feel confident driving on desert roads and ideally have a high-clearance vehicle. Any car though should be able to make it to where I parked.
A scenic desert adventure combining the dramatic rim views of Stud Horse Point with a short hike to Skylight Arch. This outing mixes easy hiking with a bit of exploration and navigation.
Awe Rating (1-5):
4
Length:
< 5 miles, 5-8 miles
Difficulty:
Easy
Trail Type:
Out & Back
Time Needed:
Half Day
Highlights:
Big Views, Adventure
Landscape:
Slickrock, Hoodoos
Solitude Potential:
High
Trailhead Access:
Dirt Road
Special Considerations, Best Season to Hike:
Reaching Stud Horse Point and the Skylight Arch trailhead requires driving sandy desert roads. A high-clearance vehicle is strongly recommended, and drivers should feel comfortable navigating unpaved desert terrain.
Things to Know
Navigation can be confusing in this area since there are many sandy tracks and informal routes. Having a map or GPS track is essential.
There are steep cliffs along the rim at Stud Horse Point, so use caution when exploring near the edge.
There is very little shade anywhere in the area, so bring water even for short hikes.
Avoid driving the sandy roads if they are wet, as they can become difficult quickly.
More to Explore
There are lots of great areas to explore nearby. For fantastic hoodoo landscapes be sure to visit the easily accessed Toadstool Hoodoos or the more remote and playful White Rocks Hoodoos.
The adjacent Vermillion Cliffs also boast several world-class destinations including The Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, Edmaier's Secret and White Pocket.
Scenes Along the Trail
