The iconic Delicate Arch is the highlight of Arches National Park! It’s widely photographed and even on our Utah license plates. Delicate Arch is the largest freestanding arch in the park and definitely an impressive sight to see!
The Delicate Arch hike is a moderate 3.0 miles. If this is too much for you, then there is an accessible viewpoint that allows you to see Delicate Arch from a distance and a shorter hike to a higher viewpoint.
The hike up to Delicate Arch offers no shade, so if you are in Moab when the weather is hot, get up early. If it’s a busy time, like spring break, fall break or summer, try to get to the parking area before 9:00 am. The parking will already be filling up. If you are able to go in the off season, anytime should be fine. In late February we went right after lunch. The trailhead has restrooms and a little shaded area with benches.
Right near the trailhead there is a pioneer era home. There is also a detour to see some petroglyphs.
The trail begins flat until after it crosses the stream.
The next part of the trail has a bit of elevation change and shows some of the beautiful desert landscape.
The next section is up the slick rock slope. It’s uphill, but doable even for kids.
Our son climbed it all by himself at four. He didn’t actually need to crawl, but was having fun.
This is a three mile hike without shade, so be sure to bring plenty of water. Each member of my family had their own hydration pack (except the four year old who shared everyone’s). Most of this trail goes straight up the rock, so there are some cairns marking the way.
In February there was a puddle on the trail, but it was easy to circumnavigate. Most of the time the trail will be dry.
At the end, the trail winds around the rock.
This is a popular enough hike that you will probably have plenty of others to lead the way. It is uphill, but my four year old managed to hike all the way up himself. Head around the corner and you can see some rock formations similar to Delicate Arch.
When you come around the corner you will be where all those people are in the middle of the first photo. You can see a large indent in the middle of the rock surface. The shadow in the second photo is actually from Delicate Arch.
Because everyone wants a photo below the arch, there is usually a line to the side where people take turns taking each other’s photos. There were ravens circling the arch.
My kids got very excited for the wildlife, especially the lizards.
You can sit on the rocks and appreciate the views or get photos.
It is so stunning!
There is usually a line on the side to take turns getting photos under the arch.
Here are a few more of spectacular Delicate Arch!
Stats: Distance – 3.0 miles roundtrip
Approximate hiking time – 1 to 3 hours
Elevation gain – 610 feet
Difficulty – Moderate
Trail – well maintained trail of sand and rocks
Bathrooms – At the Trailhead
Seasons to hike – Year-Round
Permits needed – $30 per car for 7-day pass to Arches (or National Parks Pass)
Pets allowed – No
Other trails in Arches National Park are Landscape Arch, Sand Dune Arch and Park Avenue. The Potash Road Petroglyphs and Dinosaur Tracks are nearby. Also check out Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands National Park.
