Wooden Shoe Arch ~ Canyonlands Needles District

The natural arches in Utah truly are majestic symbols of the west and each one has a unique character. The shapes of the natural arches can vary greatly and some are quite dramatic to see. The stone arches attract many visitors each year and a few people actually dedicate an entire vacation to experiencing every single arch in this territory. A complete Utah natural arch tour can mean traveling and hiking for months on end, but satisfaction comes with accomplishing what few others have ever done. The Utah natural arches certainly are captivating and in this case the old adage of “if you see one, then you have seen them all” certainly does not apply! 

The Wooden Shoe Arch is a prime example of a natural arch that certainly has a unique character. This gigantic red sandstone arch actually does look like a classic characterization of an antique wooden shoe! How this arch was created by forces of nature is something that can be pondered over for quite a spell and the thought of this is what captivates onlookers. 

The Wooden Shoe Arch is unique because it is actually a silhouette. This hard sandstone arch is an even thickness from end to end, because only the thin solid center section of the ancient mesa remains. The actual arch feature of the shoe next to the heel was probably composed of softer rock material that an ancient aquifer dissolved. How the outline of the wooden shoe silhouette was created lies in the realm of sheer luck and this is just one of the many mysteries of Mother Nature! 

The Wooden Shoe Arch sure is an awesome sight to see and this natural wonder can easily be accessed from the roadside. The roadside overlook parking area provides great views, but binoculars or a telephoto camera will be needed to see the finer details. There is a Wooden Shoe Arch Hiking Trail that is well worth doing, which definitely provides closeup views. The gigantic Wooden Shoe Arch actually is an iconic symbol of the west that is featured on the cover of travel brochures, so be sure to check it out when exploring the Canyonlands Needles District!