Delicate Arch — Attraction in Four Corners States

Date of Visit: 16th February, 2019

The best Arch to trek to in Arches National park. Anyone planning to visit Arches National should definitely trek to this Arch.

I have added few pictures that I clicked, but no camera can justify this beauty. You must Hike to this Arch to enjoy this marvelous piece of beauty.

You may feel very tired or exhausted on the hike, but all that pain will be worth the first glimpse of this Arch and you would just keep looking at this enormous beauty. Plan on spending at least an hour to enjoy this beauty and take picture. You would have to wait a bit in line to click a picture with this beauty.

It is a medium intensity trek. A small part of the trail where you have to trek a steep mountain area will be little tough, but I saw people of different ages doing the full trek. Some parts of the trek may be little confusing in terms of direction, but considering the crowd that I saw during my off season visit, I am sure there will be plenty to people on the trek during peak seasons, looking at whom you can guess the direction.

However, the Park rangers and staff members have placed enough check points to guide you with the direction and there will be no chance of getting lost on the trek.

One good thing about this trail is, the tough part is while going towards the arch, but the return trek will be very easy as it will be a complete downhill trek or flat trail.

Me and my wife are in 30s and it took us under two hours to trek to the Arch and come back to Parking lot. We spent more than an hour at the view point.

Tips: Carry enough water, especially if you are doing the train during summer months. Also, carry some snacks, as you would definitely feel hungry by the time you reach the Arch. Best time to visit this Arch will be during Sunrise or Sunset. There are good views from the trail. Don't miss to pause a bit and take pictures. You can do the trek easily along with kids, but please make sure to keep an eye on them, especially towards the end of trail when the trail gets narrow and slippery. Also keep an eye on kids near the Arch as there are steep drops near it. Carry torch light, especially if you plan to visit during Sunset as you would need some sort of light to trek back to parking lot in the dark. Parking spaces are limited.

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Delicate Arch is probably the image that comes to mind for most when thinking about Arches National Park in southern Utah. This is the thinly shaped single arch, situated on the edge of an elevated landmass, hugging a steep cliff and set before a before horizon. Allow a couple hours to hike up, enjoy the scenery for a while and return to the carpark.

This is a remarkable land formation that really makes one question how such a natural occurrence could be possible. It is a beautiful arch and it is situated in a beautiful location.... and so it is to be expected that you will be joined by large numbers of fellow hikers and visitors eager to see the Delicate Arch with their own eyes just like you!

During our visit, we started the 2.4 km trail at mid-morning. The carpark was around 70% full. By the time we finished and returned 2 hours later, the carpark was full up with drivers circling for open spots. Just be patient, there is a constant stream of visitors leaving by late morning so you will eventually be able to find a spot to park your vehicle.

The trail is moderately difficult. There is a long and steady incline up slick rock. This can be a challenge if you are not in decent shape. Take your time and keep hydrated and you will eventually be treated to outstanding scenery when you reach Delicate Arch.

There is a basin in front of the arch with lots of area to grab a spot to sit, rest, have a bite to eat if you carrying in lunch. Otherwise, just enjoy the incredible scenery. Delicate Arch is really special. just relax and enjoy. We stayed just over an hour before returning back down to the carpark to proceed to other areas of interest within Arches National Park.

Note: It is challenging to photograph the arch without people posing in front of it for those own pictures. If you make way to the far right of the basin standing area, you can sometimes grab a shot or two...

The hike to Delicate Arch is filled with recent and ancient history in the form of 19th century settlements, Petroglyphs carved in stone and of course the amazing Delicate Arch perched magnificently at the end of the hike.

This hike is a steady upward incline and if you're anything like me you'll feel it the next morning! On the beauty scale, it's unbelievable and well worth it, the hike is also a fun challenge with the trail changing from switchbacks, to sand, to bare stone for a long incline, then a thrilling cliff side walk to the Arch.

If you don't bring a large water bottle per person you will definitely regret it as this is a bare sun hike most of the way, and serious exercise.

Once you are at the top you'll find stone steps and a short incline to peak through Frame Arch for your first glimpse at Delicate Arch. This is where my wife held on tightest to our young kids... care should be taken as there are no railings, but there is plenty of trail to stay safe.

Once you approach the arch you do so on sandstone that descends to a bowl below Delicate Arch, you can walk under the arch and I've seen some daring souls continue into the bowl... but I've also read about how a slip here can be fatal, unfortunately, so BE CAREFUL!

There is plenty of room to take a photo, but timing it in between folks that want a photo of themselves underneath the arch can be tricky, so patience is key.

FRIENDLY PHOTOGRAPHER TIP: Offering to take pictures for strangers underneath the arch makes people REALLY happy, and it's a good way to get a line of people through the arch a lot quicker if you want the arch to yourself for your own quick shot. Don't dawdle under the arch as there is a LOT of people around waiting for you to get out...