This guy (or is it a girl?) is worth the trouble of an over-nighter. As a 20 mile out-and-back trek, it's a tough day hike. Along with "Delicate Arch" in Arches National Park, this arch is one of the "quintessentials" in the world. So don't trust pictures. Being there is what it's about. A pleasant hike throughout, (it is sandy and gravelly) it heads south down Salt Creek. This used to be a 4WD track to Angel Arch, but too much damage was done to the environment. The hike now starts at "Peekaboo", a camp and good rock art site.
You will have to pay for privileges at the visitor center of the Needles District, Canyonlands National Park. Be sure to pre-reserve a spot at Angel Arch Camp, which is the closest camp to the arch (1 1/2 mi.), for overnight primitive accommodations. The way is well marked to the park. Take Rt. 211 westbound off of Hwy. 191, north of Monticello, Utah. They will tell you all the cautionary tales at said visitor center. Don't worry, they won't let you proceed unprepared.
There is great stuff further down the creek southbound, all the way to Cathedral Butte. That another story, which is long and multi-day.
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