Delicate Arch | Arches National Park

Hiking Delicate Arch - Arches National Park Hiking Delicate Arch

Arches National Park

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Easy Hiking
MAPS: The Windows Section, UT

Sun

Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

57 | 35

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

51 | 29

Tue

Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 34

Wed

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

48 | 35

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

View Full Weather Details
SEASON: Any, hot in summer
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear

Sun

Partly sunny, with a high near 57. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph.

57 | 35

Mon

A slight chance of rain showers after 5pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

51 | 29

Tue

Rain showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49.

49 | 34

Wed

A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

48 | 35

Thu

Sunny, with a high near 44.

44 | 26

View Full Weather Details
Delicate Arch on a winter day.

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

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

petroglyph panel

Route

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.


Maps

Delicate Arch / 3.00 miles / Elevation Range 4,303 - 4,860 ft.
Viewpoint / 0.61 miles / Elevation Range 4,351 - 4,499 ft.
Printable Maps:

Viewpoint Trailhead

12S 630267mE 4288336mN

N38° 44' 03" W109° 30' 04"
Upper Viewpoint

12S 630286mE 4288729mN

N38° 44' 16" W109° 30' 03"
Trailhead

12S 628580mE 4288473mN

N38° 44' 08" W109° 31' 14"
Petroglyph

12S 628746mE 4288688mN

N38° 44' 15" W109° 31' 07"
Delicate Arch

12S 630407mE 4289387mN

N38° 44' 37" W109° 29' 58"

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