Delicate Arch Trail is one of Utah’s most popular trails, and for good reason. Chances are you’ve come across pictures of Delicate Arch before. The tall sandstone arch is so iconic, it is even featured on Utah’s license plates. Keep reading for a detailed guide of the trail.
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Arches National Park
Arches National Park should definitely figure on your travel bucket list. 65 million years in the making, the park is home to over 2,000 natural stone arches, pinnacles, rock fins and giant balanced rocks. It also contains the highest density of natural arches in the world.
A 36-mile paved scenic road takes visitors to many of the major viewpoints. The road winds through the park and loops at Devil’s Garden. Prepare to be amazed!
Arches National Park is very family-friendly. Several rock formations are accessible through a short walk (15-20 mins) providing plenty of opportunities for kids to get out of the car and stretch their legs. When the kiddos get tired, there are still plenty of stops that don’t require any hike at all, much less getting out of the car.
For all the impressive rock formations, the main attraction at Arches National Park is without a doubt Delicate Arch. This is what people from afar come to see. You can see the arch from a distance at 2 viewpoints (one of them is wheelchair accessible) However, the best view is up close and personal and that requires some hiking.
What to Expect on the Delicate Arch Trail
The trail is only 3-mile long and is totally doable with young kids. Rated moderate for its steady elevation, I attempted this hike in the blistering summer heat with my mom and my then 5-year-old daughter. We decided to do the hike in the early morning to avoid the heat and the crowds. Mind you the temperature was already in the low 80s by the time we got there. So we woke up at 5:30 in the morning, got ready quickly and drove to the park. Although we had planned to drive straight to the trailhead, it was nearly impossible not to stop along the scenic road to admire the park in all its glorious beauty. We eventually made it the parking lot a little before 7 am.
The Start of the Trail
The hike starts at the Wolfe Ranch Cabin. There is a large parking area right off of the main park road. You will find several signs at the beginning of the trail: carry enough water, don’t hike in inclement weather, use sun protection, etc. Make sure to heed all those warnings.
The trail starts as an easy walk on a dirt and gravel path with a few short climbs here and there. After half a mile on the path, you will eventually reach a large slab of slickrock.
The Halfway Point
The middle portion of the Delicate Arch trail is to go up this huge slickrock. This part looks intimidating but it wasn’t that bad. I had to stop a couple of times to catch my breath (not surprising as I was completely out of shape). The views were amazing so it was a nice excuse to stop. At the top, you will be able to see La Sal Mountains up there. Wearing appropriate hiking footwear is highly suggested but honestly, we all wore sneakers with no issues. In different weather conditions, you might need better sole gripping shoes.
There are not many signs along this part of the trail. Look for rock cairns or just follow the other hikers in front of you. My daughter loved this part of the hike. She had a lot of fun scrambling on the rock.
The Reveal
Just before you get to Delicate Arch, the trail goes along a rock ledge for about 200 yards before winding around a corner. The path is wide enough but there are no guardrails so watch out for your kids especially the younger ones. If they tend to run away from you, you might want to hold on to them on this section.
Delicate Arch is hidden from view the entire hike until the very end. Once you pass the last turn, you will get your first close-up view of Delicate Arch that will leave you speechless. Forget what you’ve seen in pictures: the Arch is way more impressive in reality. This natural arch stands at 52 ft tall but you don’t really get a sense of how tall it is until you get close to it.
The trail is pretty popular these days so chances are you will have to wait for your turn to take pictures under the Arch. While you wait, just sit back, relax and enjoy the majestic landscape.
The Way Back
You will go back the same you came in. It is downhill most of the way and we made it back to the parking lot in about 40 minutes (after stopping a few times for pictures) By the time we reached the parking lot just before 9 am, it was completely full and drivers were waiting for parking spots.
Fun fact: your voice can carry on the sliprock. As we were making our way down, we ran into hikers going up who were complimenting my daughter’s singing. They could hear her voice from all the way down : )
Things to know about Delicate Arch Trail
- The hike to Delicate Arch is only 1.5 miles each way, making it a 3 mile hike round-trip.
- Best time to do the hike is in Spring and Fall when the temperatures are cooler or during the golden hours just after sunrise or after sunset. Make sure to bring a headlamp
- Take at least 1 quart of water per person
- There is no shade on this hike
- Parking is limited and can fill up quickly during peak season so make sure to arrive at the trailhead no later than 7 am.
- Restrooms are only available at the trailhead
Practical information
How to get to Delicate Arch
Arches National Park is located in southeast Utah, 5 miles from Moab, UT and 236 miles from Salt Lake City, UT. From Moab, head north on US-191 for 4.6 miles. Turn right at the stoplight and proceed to the park entrance. It is another 13.2 miles to the Delicate Arch trailhead.
Operating hours
Arches National Park is open year-round 24 hours a day. The park is busy from March to October. During that time, it is best to visit before 8 am or after 3 pm.
The Visitor Center is open every day except Christmas Day. Its hours of operation vary:
- Regular hours: 8 am to 4 pm
- Winter hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Fees
Entrance fee is $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, $15 per pedestrian/biker (free for 15 and under). This fee is valid for 7 days. If you are going to visit more than 2 National Parks in one year, consider purchasing the America the Beautiful-National Parks Annual Pass instead. It costs $80 and will give you access to all Federal fee areas for 12 months from the month of purchase.
In addition you can purchase the Southeast Utah Parks Pass for $55.00. It is valid for one year through the month of purchase. It admits one (1) private, non-commercial vehicle or its pass holder to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, as well as Natural Bridges National Monument.
Where to stay near Delicate Arch
There is a 50-site campground within the park. Reservations are required during the busy season. If you don’t feel like camping, Moab has several options in terms of accommodations ranging from budget motels to luxurious resorts. There are even glamping options like Under Canvas for a unique stay under the stars. Finally don’t forget to check out the Airbnb listings (click here for a discount of up to $50 off your first stay)
With impressive views all around, Delicate Arch is arguably the best hike at Arches National Park. If you are pressed on time during your visit, I recommend you do at least this one hike. It is even popular with the kiddos as they get to scramble on the rocks.
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