USA Delicate Arch

It's the arch on the Utah license plates. It's a very popular hike so start as early as possible to avoid the crowds. This might be considered a strenuous hike. It's all up hill on sandstone to get to the arch. Nothing particularly steep but is a constant climb to the arch which sits on the edge of a huge bowl. The arch, bowl, and surrounding area is far more impressive in person than in pictures. You don’t see the arch until the last few seconds of the hike but when you do, Wow! For anyone unfamiliar with the 3 mile R/T hike I would not advise attempting the hike to or from the arch in the dark. The hike is almost all on sandstone with an occasional cairn (stacked rocks) to guide you. Unless you’re following a crowd, it’s easy to lose your way even during the day. Be mindful of the rim where most visitors congregate at the arch. The huge bowl below the rim is deceptively steep and deep. People have stumbled and died there. It’s also really nice in the winter but the last 100 yards of the trail to the arch is very narrow with some exposure and can be treacherous when covered in ice and/or snow. I’ve seen people turn around at that point perhaps not realizing they were almost there. During the summer months, Arches National Park can feel like a furnace. In July, average daytime highs hover just below 100°F. On many days, midday temperatures can creep up over the 100° mark. There is zero shade on the trail and the sandstone rock absorbs the heat from the sun, which makes conditions feel even hotter. If you are visiting from June through August, consider skipping this hike midday. Temperatures begin to cool off around sunset. Or, get here early to avoid the heat (and the crowds). Bring sunscreen and carry at least 2 liters of water per person.

This is one of the most popular spots in Arches National Park so crowds can be an issue unless you’re there very early or very late. It’s a good late afternoon spot and I’ve seen some wonderful night time photos with the Milky Way. This shot was taken from the western perimeter of the bowl and isn’t reached from the main trail. A difficult to follow side trail veers off to the south to get there.

Drive 11.7 miles (18.8km) north into the park on the main road until you see the right-hand turn to Delicate Arch and Wolfe Ranch. Turn right and drive another 1.2 miles (1.9km) to the parking area on your left (north). The hike starts at the Wolfe Ranch Cabin. Park in the large parking lot next to the cabin and look for the sign that marks the trailhead.