Hike to Delicate Arch in Early Morning

The most famous of the 2,000 natural stone arches at Utah’s Arches National Park is the Delicate Arch.

Make it a point to get up early and hike to Delicate Arch before it gets too crowded. Bring a headlamp if you start hiking before sunrise or after sunset. And wear hiking shoes with gripping power for hiking on slick rock.

Even if you are only spending one day at Arches National Park you should include Delicate Arch on your itinerary. This 52 foot tall free standing natural arch is magnificent.

In addition, I also recommend these five easy hikes at Arches National Park to enjoy the distinct character of this incredible landscape in Utah.

If Delicate Arch looks familiar to you it’s probably because you’ve seen the image on Utah’s license plate. The arch is also featured on a postage stamp. It really is the most well known arch in the park.

Although hiking the trail to Delicate Arch is not difficult you should be prepared for the hiking conditions and weather.

If you are staying in Moab be sure to pack water, food, first aid kit, hiking shoes, and extra clothing/footwear for changing weather conditions. There are no stores or restaurants at Arches National Park.

Arches National Park Fees

The entry fee covers you for a full 7 consecutive days visiting Arches park.

Personal vehicle: $30

Motorcycle: $25

Cyclist/Pedestrian: $15

It’s best to buy your parks pass online before you get there so you don’t have to waste time at the entrance station to pay the fee.

Since Canyonlands is also close to Moab you could visit both parks in one road trip, consider buying the annual park pass for $80. It’s good for all US national parks and monuments for a full year.

In Utah it’s easy to get your money’s worth out of buying an annual pass, with 5 national parks to visit.

A hiker walking in front of Delicate Arch

The hiker in front of Delicate Arch provides scale

Delicate Arch Hike Details

Distance: 3.4 miles (5.5 km) round trip

Elevation gain: 627 ft (191 m)

Type of hike: Out and back

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: Allow 2 – 3 hours

Dogs allowed on trail: No dogs allowed on the trail

Since there are no shops, restaurants or gas stations in Arches National Park be sure to bring all the gear you need, plus snacks and water. Fill your tank with gas in Moab the night before.

A hiker on the rock slab portion of Delicate Arch trail

Hiking the big rock slab on the way to Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch Hike Description

The first mile from the trailhead has a slight incline and then becoming steeper for the second mile or so before tapering off and fairly level near the arch.

There is no shade along the trail.

If you are hiking in the dark download the map beforehand. One section of the trail is a giant rock slab that can be difficult to find the trail markers in the dark and there is no cell service on the trail.

Watch for the trail markers along the way, some are actual signs and others are rock cairns.

Trail marker on the hike to Delicate Arch

Trail marker signs and cairns mark the way to Delicate Arch

Almost at the arch there is a set of stone stairs built into the trail.

When you reach the stone staircase Delicate Arch is not far away

And you’ll see an arch that is not the delicate arch – but it’s not far off from this point.

An arch that is not delicate arch but on the same trail

Not Delicate Arch – but getting closer

When you reach the delicate arch there is a sort of bowl rock formation around it and lots of places to sit and watch the sunrise near the arch. You can also walk right down underneath the arch.

Hikers taking photos and relaxing near Delicate Arch

An early morning hike to Delicate Arch is rewarding

And once other hikers arrive, everyone (except me LOL) seems to want a photo of themselves under the arch.

When you get close to the arch you can see one portion of the stone column is worn away more so than the rest of the sandstone.

A closer look at the Delicate Arch columns

To get photos without people you sometimes need to ask others to wait a minute so you can snap a few photos of Delicate Arch free from humans.

In winter months there may be snow and ice on the trail. Microspikes or ice cleats are handy to carry with you and will help save you from slipping and falling on the trail. And lots of people like to use trekking poles for hiking.

Hiking Delicate Arch in summer be aware there is virtually no shade on this trail. That’s another good reason to hike early in the morning or at sunset. Remember to bring water with you to the park.

Delicate Arch in the morning sunshine

Tips for Avoiding Crowds at Delicate Arch

Buy your pass in advance
Arrive at the trailhead before sunrise for the best chance to avoid lots of people
Just before sunset there are usually fewer hikers as well
Bring a headlamp for hiking in the dark on the way up (or back to the trailhead if you do a sunset hike)
Download the trail map from a hiking trail app like Alltrails before you get to the park because there is no cell service on the trail

A hiker standing underneath Delicate Arch

Standing below the Delicate Arch

Wolfe Cabin and Petroglyphs

After you hike Delicate Arch, take a few minutes to walk the short trail to the petroglyphs and have a look at the historic Wolfe Cabin. Both are near the Delicate Arch trailhead and parking lot.