Hiking Delicate Arch - Arches National Park

Overview

Thu

70° | 45°

Fri

70° | 44°

Sat

74° | 43°

Sun

80° | 47°

Mon

79° | 52°

( Rated 4.8 / 13 Ratings )

12 Todo Lists / 21 Ticks

RATING: Easy Hiking

LENGTH: 1.5 - 3 hours (Delicate Arch 3 miles, Viewpoint 0.7 mile)

MAPS: The Windows Section, UT

SEASON: Any, hot in summer

GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

Thu

70° | 45°

Fri

70° | 44°

Sat

74° | 43°

Sun

80° | 47°

Mon

79° | 52°

Delicate Arch on a winter day.

Delicate Arch is one of the quintessential symbols of Utah, and southern Utah in particular. The arch is uniquely perched in an Entrada sandstone bowl high on the cliffs and stands about 20 m ( 66 ft. ) high. Delicate Arch is one of the most popular places to visit in Arches, and probably the top of my list for any first-time visitor. A must do.

For non-hikers, there are a couple of viewpoints where you can see the arch from a distance with very little hiking. Not nearly as good as visiting the arch up close and in person, but worthwhile if you are unable to make the hike up, or as a good pre/post hike visit.

Notes: For photos, sunset seems to have the best lighting. Expect about an hour from the car to the arch, and be sure to bring a headlamp if you plan on staying through the sunset for pictures. In the winter, the trail can be icy. Yak trax or the likes are recommended, but generally the trail can be done without them even in the winter. If visiting in the heat of summer, start early, or visit late and watch the sunset to avoid the high heat of the day.

Wolfe Cabin

Getting There

From the Arches visitor center, follow the scenic drive 11.5 miles to the Delicate Arch turnoff on the right. The main Delicate Arch trailhead is 1.2 miles down this road. For the viewpoint, continue on an additional mile.

petroglyph panel

Route Description

Viewpoint (0.5 miles round trip, 30 minutes)
The lower viewpoint is a few hundred feet from the trailhead and gives good, but distant views of Delicate Arch. For those with a little more ambition, the upper viewpoint is 0.25 miles each way up the trail. This is a good, short hike to get a view of the arch that is suitable for most.

Arch Trail (3 miles round trip, 1.5 - 3 hours)
From the trailhead, the first stop is the Wolfe Ranch, an old settlement by John Wesley Wolfe from the late 1800s. Amazing to think of how remote the area must have been back then.

Just past the cabin a short side trail visits a petroglyph panel. The panel dates from 1650-1850 and is worth the short side trip. From the panel, the trail begins climbing to the arch. Expect about an hour to the arch from the trailhead. Return the same way.