Located near Cedar City, this 550 foot high natural arch was almost made a national monument. In 1917, efforts to recommend Flannigan Arch as a national monument were dropped once officials determined that financial resources should not be taken from the Mukuntuweap National Monument (better known as Zion National Park). Nevertheless, Flannigan Arch is a spectacular (though less known) feature in the Southern Utah landscape.
To see the arch, local expert Steven Heath, recommends the Ashdown Gorge hike. ” This hike begins on U- 14 between mile markers seven and eight, just below the slide area. After descending to Coal Creek, proceed upstream, until you come to the junction of Ashdown Creek and Crow Creek. U-14 follows Crow Creek up Cedar Canyon to Wood’s Ranch and on to the top of the mountain. Follow Ahsdown Creek into the gorge. About one-and-a-half miles up the gorge is a large alcove with vertical cliffs on each side. Flannigan Arch sits on the the north wall, about 550 feet above the canyon floor. You will need to look up frequently in this area to see the arch, since there is only a 100 to 150 foot section of the canyon bottom where it is visible. ”
“There are two pracitical ways to hike up to the arch, but both are difficult. One is to go downstream about a quarter of a mile, then hike up the steep rocky slide to the rim of the canyon and walk in an upstream direction until you locate the arch. It will be about 100 feet below the rim of the canyon. The second way is to walk up the gorge until it tops out, then walk downstream along the edge of the canyon until you find the arch.”
Steven Heath; Cedar City, Utah, Community Update; May 2012
Our friendly front desk staff at the Abbey Inn can help you with driving directions and maps of the area. If you are coming to Southern Utah to visit the national parks, you won’t want to miss this one.