You'll Want To Go See This Utah Natural Wonder While You Still Can
By Catherine Armstrong|Published October 11, 2018
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
Utah’s distinct, unique rock formations are famous the world over. From our iconic Delicate Arch to the funny little hoodoos at Goblin Valley State Park, the Beehive State has plenty of scenic, sandstone formations that fill us with delight and wonder. There’s one popular rock formation at Arches National Park that won’t be around forever, and you’ll want to see it while you still can.
People travel from all over the world to see the more than 2,000 natural arches here. The most famous, of course, is Delicate Arch. But there's another incredible rock formation in the park that's just as iconic...
Balanced Rock isn't actually a rock balancing on a pedestal. Over roughly 65 million years, the softer mudstone eroded away, leaving the 3,600-ton rock-shaped formation perched on top of an ever-shrinking pillar.
Eventually, the softer pedestal will completely disintegrate, and the huge Entrada Sandstone boulder will come crashing to the ground. You won't want to be around on the day that happens!
Pictures can give you a sense of how majestic Balanced Rock is, but it's hard to get an idea of the scale of this huge rock formation until you see it up close.
Balanced Rock isn't expected to fall anytime soon and considering that it took 65 million years to form this iconic gem, it's likely to remain standing for generations to come.
However, it's important to remember that none of these beautiful formations are permanent. This photo taken in 1959 shows another formation, "Chip Off The Old Block," to the right of Balanced Rock. That formation fell to the ground during the winter of 1975-76.
