Skip to main content

Delicate Arch Trail

·
Moderate
3.2miLength
629ftElevation gain
1h 35mEstimated time
Out & back
Experience this 3.2-mile out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 35 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. You'll need to leave pups at home — dogs aren't allowed on this trail. • Fee Information: Arches National Park charges a fee to enter. For more information, please visit https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/fees.htm. • Timed Entry Reservation Pilot 2025: To enter the park April 1–July 6 and August 28–October 31, 2025, most visitors will need a Timed Entry Ticket. Tickets may be purchased from Recreation.gov up to six months ahead. Extra tickets release at 7pm nightly for next-day visits. Delicate Arch Trail is a short hike in Arches National Park to Utah's most recognizable natural arch, which you will likely recognize from the Utah license plate. The park is home to some of the most unique geologic features in the world. This fantastic hiking trail leads along the red rock slabs to the largest free standing arch in the park. You’ll pass smaller stone arches, piles of balanced rocks, and tall sandstone fins on your way to this incredible rocky feature. The parking lot is located on Delicate Arch Road. From the parking area, you’ll set off from the Delicate Arch Trailhead and cross the bridge over salt wash. This route is best hiked in spring and fall when the temperatures are cooler, or during the golden hours just after sunrise and before sunset when the rocks seem to turn a magical color and the air temperature is comfortable. There is no shade along this trail, so be sure to bring some water and a hat. The route begins as a well defined trail, but does cross areas of open slick rock with exposure to heights. The final walk to the Delicate Arch itself is along exposed, open slickrock and can be dangerous without the proper footwear or experience. Visiting Delicate Arch is a must when in Arches National Park. Parking is limited and can fill up quickly during peak tourism months so make sure to arrive early. Those looking for a shorter hike can drive to the end of Delicate Arch Road and walk to Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint, providing a unique but more distant view of the arch.
This text has been translated.
Fee required
Dogs not allowed
Kid-friendly
Partially paved
Rocky
No shade
Hiking
Views
Wildflowers
Wildlife
Trailgoers are saying
4.9
Highlights include stunning views and unique scenery. Challenges involve steep climbs and heat with no shade. Reviewers recommend arriving early, bringing plenty of water, and wearing sturdy shoes.
This summary is AI-generated from trail reviews and won’t always be perfect.
Was it helpful?
Weather

Reviews

4.9
5
4
3
2
1
TodayHiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great trail. Strenuous at times. Lots of water!

Difficulty: Hard
Show activity
Bathrooms availableGreat views

No too far of a walk but it is a bit steep at parts of the hike, still totally worth it

TodayHiking
Good viewsBathrooms available

Very warm in June! Bring lots of water!! Parking was a bit rough at the start

Show activity
TodayHiking
Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

beautiful view and an unexpectedly fun morning hike! start early to avoid the heat, bring plenty of water, and make sure you have proper footwear. as someone who is terrified of heights, i didn’t expect to love this as much as i did (and actually didn’t even expect to complete it).

Show activity
TodayBackpacking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

A little crowded but awesome hike

Conditions: Dry ground
Show activity
TodayHiking
Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great hike early

Difficulty: Moderate
Show activity
TodayHiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Steep rock face mid hike. Many drop offs. Great views! Bring lots of water!

Conditions: Dusty, Dry ground
Show activity
TodayHiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat views

Got here at 5am and wish I would have gotten here at 4:30.

Show activity
YesterdayHiking
Bathrooms availableGreat views

Hot, hard, and just keeps going up. Please bring water and the right clothes and shoes

Show activity
YesterdayHiking
Great views

Good moderate hike. Beautiful views. Got to the park before 7am to avoid reservation, crowd and heat. Highly recommend.

Parking: Medium lot
Show activity
YesterdayHiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Hard but worth it! Beautiful arch with great views!!! A Arches National Park MUST! There were many folks on the trail, but there was plenty of space.

Conditions: Wildflowers, No bugs, Wildflowers, Dry ground
Difficulty: Hard
Show activity
May 30, 2025Hiking
Great views

HOT but worth the hike! The arch is incredible. Take lots of water and be prepared for little to no shade.

Show activity
May 30, 2025Hiking
Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Get here early since parking lot was half full at 6:15 am. Great views. Uphill hike up a huge rock but once you get to the top fairly easy from there. Once you get to the arch definitely climb up to the overlook on the other side of the canyon for other scenic views.

Show activity
May 30, 2025Hiking
Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Incredible trail despite sunset being opposite of the arch, would be better for sunrise. Less busy than I’d expect for sunset.

Conditions: Dusty, No bugs, Dry ground, Well maintained
Show activity
May 30, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Busy around 6pm and only getting busier.

Conditions: Dusty, Well maintained
Show activity
May 29, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Good hike, great views.

Show activity
May 29, 2025
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

So hot but beautiful view!!

May 29, 2025Hiking

Absolute fire, arch was awesome!!

Show activity
May 29, 2025
Good views

Bring more water/electrolytes than you think you need!

May 29, 2025Hiking

Great little trail with lots of views and unfortunately, people. Also a huge raven begs for snacks at the top

Difficulty: Easy
Show activity
May 29, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Got here before sunrise and the parking lot was mostly empty, other than the couple ahead of me on the trail I didn’t see anyone else until my trip back. Beautiful trail, but was very crowded and the parking lot full when I finished at 7am.

Parking: Free, Large lot
Show activity
May 29, 2025Hiking
Good viewsEasy to parkBathrooms available

Did this trail for sunset! Very easy with a good section of incline that made the hike feel like an accomplishment! Delicate is insanely beautiful! Highly recommend for sunset

Difficulty: Easy
Show activity
May 29, 2025Off-road driving
Bathrooms availableGreat views

Started up the trail after 6:30. There were a few shady spots but not much. Trail is well marked. Arch is beautiful as always.

Parking: Entry fee, Large lot
Show activity
May 28, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkGreat views

Probably the best arch hike that gives you an instant feeling of accomplishment once you turn the corner - worth it.

May 28, 2025Hiking
Bathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Great hike. Be prepared to take on some steep uphill and down. Doable but noticeable. Last 1/4 mile has a drop off ledge so prepare yourself if you have a fear of heights. I do but was able to do the trek and not worry. Bring water. Too many people stopping because they lacked hydration.

Show activity
May 28, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Go in the morning before timed entry. Tons of spots available at 6:15am. Only downfall is sun is in your face at that time. Super crowded on our way down. Heat started picking up not long after sunrise.

Parking: Large lot
Show activity
May 28, 2025Off-road driving
Bathrooms availableGreat views

Started the hike at 5:45, there were already 20 cars in the lot. Beautiful hike, but very crowded obviously, and difficult; lots of up slopes and edges. Bring water and avoid the sun as there is no shade.

Parking: Large lot
Show activity
May 27, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Very beautiful. Very hot. Last little bit hard if you’re scared of heights. But gorgeous.

Difficulty: Moderate
Show activity
May 27, 2025Hiking

hot

Difficulty: Moderate
Show activity
May 27, 2025Hiking
Bathrooms availableGreat views

Trail was a little crowded and super hot but so worth it! We found a parking spot when we went around 11am!

Parking: Permit required, Entry fee, Free, Large lot
Show activity

Frequently asked questions

What are some of the facilities available for Delicate Arch Trail?

This trailhead parking lot is located 13 miles (21 km) from the Arches entrance. Limited oversize vehicle parking is available across the street from the main lot. Toilets are open year-round. There is no drinking water available at the trailhead. Parking is generally busy for much of the day. To avoid peak congestion, arrive before 8 am or after 1 pm.  Available Spaces: 157 Total 28 Oversized 5 ADA-designated  2 ADA van-accessible 

What are some tips to share about Delicate Arch Trail?

You can park in the parking lot at Wolfe Ranch, Just a little ways off the Arches Entrance Road (the only main road in all of Arches National Park). Bring plenty of water. Especially if you are hiking during the midday heat in the Summer, this trail can be very hot.

How to get to Delicate Arch Trail?

Directions from Arches National Park Main Entrance: Drive northward along the park road for 11.7 miles to the Wolfe Ranch Road. Turn right and follow signs to the ranch. Do not follow signs to Delicate Arch Viewpoint, that is a different trailhead.

What is the expected weather this week for Delicate Arch Trail?

Expected weather for Delicate Arch Trail for the next 5 days is:
  • Sun, June 1 - 100 degrees/clear
  • Mon, June 2 - 84 degrees/thundershowers
  • Tue, June 3 - 79 degrees/showers
  • Wed, June 4 - 71 degrees/thundershowers
  • Thu, June 5 - 81 degrees/clear
Last updated on June 1, 2025 at 8:08 pm GMT