Delicate Arch is hands-down Arches National Park’s most iconic site. Possibly even the most iconic in the state, as it’s featured on the state’s license plate. While the hike to the base of Delicate Arch is quite strenuous, there are other ways to catch a glimpse of this beauty! Dying to see this beauty in the best way for you? Look no further than our guide to Delicate Arch. Don’t forget, Arches has implemented a timed entry. Don’t forget to get yours before visiting.
Delicate Arch Quick Info
DELICATE ARCH IS THE PARK’S LARGEST FREESTANDING ARCH: The opening is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide. This is quite the geological feat since it isn’t supported by a cliff.
THE PARK’S MOST POPULAR SITE AT SUNSET: Sunset it the most popular time to catch a glimpse of this beauty. The sunset casts a beautiful glow on the arch, but definitely expect to be up there with a lot of your new hiking friends.
A GREAT PLACE FOR ASTRO-PHOTOGRAPHY: There are stellar views of the Milky Way going right over the arch at certain times of the year. We didn’t make it for the Milky Way this trip because smoke rolled in from nearby forest fires.
Gear We Recommend for the Delicate Arch Hike
We’re big, big fans of hiking. So, we always take note of things we needed or wished we had while hiking certain trails and love to pass that info on to you!
Also, I cannot express how much I love World Nomads for travel insurance. If we’re planning on taking a hiking trip, we don’t leave home without it.
Checking Out Delicate Arch
There are three different ways you can see Delicate Arch. I’m going to put them in order from easiest to most difficult. Unfortunately, it is not visible from the road, so just know it takes at least a little bit of effort to get to see Arches National Park’s most popular site.
LOWER DELICATE ARCH VIEWPOINT
HIKE DISTANCE: 100 Yards, total
This is by far the easiest way to get to see Delicate Arch. The trail is wheelchair accessible and easy for anyone who has a harder time hiking but still wants to catch a glimpse of this famous geological wonder.
You cannot reach the base of the arch from here.
UPPER DELICATE ARCH VIEWPOINT
HIKE DISTANCE: 0.5 Miles, total
From the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint this trail spurs off. While it isn’t difficult, I would say it’s a bit more moderate because it is completely uphill, but the part that makes it still considered easy, is that it is short. This offers you a closer, less obstructed view.
Again, you cannot reach the actual base of Delicate Arch from this trail.
THE HIKE TO DELICATE ARCH
HIKE DISTANCE: 3 Miles, total
In order to get the absolute best view of Delicate Arch, you really need to do the three mile hike if you’re physically able. This trail is rated difficult. Even though it’s relatively short, it’s steep, up slick rock and there’s almost no shade to give you relief from the sun. Near the end of the trail, there is a somewhat narrow and steep drop off but, don’t worry, it still feels safe. I just like to give a heads up for those terrified of heights. After that, you’ll be rewarded with the super stellar view of the famous arch – you can even walk down to the base of it. You’re absolutely sure to remember this hike.
TIP FOR HIKING THE DELICATE ARCH TRAIL: Be sure to bring an appropriate amount of water. Like I mentioned above, there is very little to no shade on this trail. If you decide to tackle this hike in the middle of the day be very, very careful not to get overheated. Try getting out just after sunrise (or for sunrise) or just before sunset!
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST ON THE DELICATE ARCH TRAIL:
WOLFE RANCH CABIN – This cabin from the late 1800s is still standing and on display to show you what life was like for settlers in this area. It’s a really cool addition to this trail.
WOLFE RANCH PETROGLYPHS – Just behind the Wolfe Ranch Cabin, you’ll find a small trail that leads you to some Ute petroglyphs featuring people on horses and big horned sheep. These carvings have been dated between 1650-1850 CE. As always, don’t touch or deface these beautiful cultural works.
FRAME ARCH – Just before the narrow edge of the trail at Delicate Arch, you’ll see a little hole just out of the cliff that hides Delicate Arch from view. If you climb up the slick rock wall, into the aptly named Frame Arch, you’ll get to see the most unique view of Delicate Arch. It is steep, so be sure to do so at your own risk.
The beauty of Delicate Arch is hard to capture in words, but Edward Abbey did a beautiful job of capturing the wonder that this arch inspires in his book Desert Solitaire:
A weird lovely fantastic object out of nature, like Delicate Arch, has the curious ability to remind us — like rock and sunlight and wind and wilderness — that out there is a different world, older and greater and deeper by far than ours, a world which surrounds and sustains the little world of men as sea and sky sustain a ship. The shock of the real. For a little while we are again able to see, as a child sees, a world of marvels. For a few moments we discover that nothing can be taken for granted, for if this ring of stone is marvelous all which shaped it is marvelous, and our journey here on earth, able to see and touch and hear in the midst of tangible and mysterious things-in-themselves, is the most strange and daring of all adventures.”
Edward Abbey, Desert Solitaire
Interested in additional help planning your trip to Arches National Park? Check out our complete guide here.
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