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Rock formation · Moab, Utah
Delicate Arch
The solitary stone arch that is Utah’s symbol, in Arches National Park, on the rim of a sandstone basin. It is reached by a trail of about 4.8 km round trip, with no shade.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Delicate Arch
Delicate Arch is a sandstone arch about 16 meters high that stands alone on the edge of a smooth stone basin, with the often snow-capped La Sal Mountains in the background. It appears on Utah license plates and is the best-known image of Arches National Park.
The trail to the arch starts at the Wolfe Ranch parking area, where you can see the wooden cabin of a late 19th-century farming family and a panel of Ute rock art. The route is about 4.8 km round trip with an elevation gain of about 150 meters, almost entirely on smooth rock and without shade. The final stretch follows a narrow ledge on the rock wall before the arch appears, suddenly.
If you don’t want to hike, you can view the arch from a distance at the Lower and Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoints, a few minutes’ drive away.
Sunset is the most popular time, when the arch turns orange; at that hour the trail and parking lot fill up, and the return is made in the dark with a flashlight.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Two to three hours round trip.
Best time
At sunrise, with fewer people, or at sunset, with light on the arch. In summer, avoid the middle hours of the day.
How to get there
The Wolfe Ranch parking area is about 20 km from the park entrance, via the main road and the Delicate Arch spur.
Tip
Bring at least two liters of water per person and a flashlight if you go at sunset. The parking lot fills up: arrive early.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Delicate Arch
Is the Delicate Arch trail difficult?
It’s moderate: about 4.8 km round trip, with a steady climb over smooth rock and no shade. In hot weather it becomes tiring; go early or late in the afternoon and bring plenty of water.
Is it possible to see Delicate Arch without doing the trail?
Yes, from a distance at the Lower and Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoints, a few minutes’ drive from the Wolfe Ranch parking area.
What’s the best time to see Delicate Arch?
Sunset, when the arch turns orange, is the most popular; sunrise has fewer people. If you return in the dark, bring a flashlight.