Delicate Arch

A large sloping red rock face with a unique rock formation jutting out of it. It is an arch shaped like an upside U. The blue sky can be seen through the wide opening in the rock. The people standing below it look very small.
Delicate Arch

NPS/Neal Herbert

 

A Stone Icon

People come from all over the world to visit Arches National Park, and visiting Delicate Arch is on the top of many visitors' to-do lists. In a park with over 2,000 stone arches, this particular free-standing arch has become a widely recognized symbol of the state of Utah and one of the most famous geologic features in the world.

The light opening beneath the arch is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. It has had more than a few names in its history, from the colorful ("Cowboy's Chaps", "Old Maid's Bloomers") to the prosaic ("Salt Wash Arch"). The term "Delicate" first appeared in a January 1934 article about the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition, which described it as "the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area."

 
An arch shaped like an upside letter U rises from a sloping red rockface. Through the opening of the arch you can see snow capped mountains and a vast desert landscape. The sky is clear of clouds and light blue.
Delicate Arch

NPS/Neal Herbert

It's difficult to see Delicate Arch from the main park road; you must get out of the car to view it. At Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, you can walk a level 100 yards (91 m) to see the arch from one mile away. Nearby, the Upper Viewpoint (0.5 mi / 0.8 km walk with stairs) offers a slightly less obstructed view.

The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is 3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). Along this steadily uphill trail, you'll also pass the Wolfe Ranch cabin and a wall of Ute Indian petroglyphs.

Carefully consider weather conditions (summer heat or winter ice) and your own health and fitness before beginning this hike. Rangers frequently rescue people who underestimated the trail's difficulty.

 
A man has a camera raised to his eye to take a photograph of an out of frame view. Behind him is an expanse of bare red rock is covered by people. The low light of the sunset is causing the rocks to be illuminated in a warm glow.
A crowd gathers for sunset at Delicate Arch.

NPS/Andrew Kuhn

On very busy days, parking lot for the trailhead at Wolfe Ranch will fill. There is additional parking at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking lot. If you walk from the viewpoint, you will have to hike 1 mile (1.6 km) along the road to the trailhead. The total roundtrip hike distance increases to 5 miles (8 km). The trail can be very busy through much of the year. Sunset is a particularly busy time; sometimes hundreds of people will be at Delicate Arch for sunset.

 

Things to Do in the Delicate Arch Area

Loading results...
    Tags: delicate arch
     
     
    A white warning sign with a red line across it of person walking on an arch. There's a green bush growing behind the sign and an arch of rock behind it.
    Do not climb or walk on any arches at Arches or Canyonlands national parks.

    NPS/Chris Wonderly

    Protect your park. Protect yourself.

    To protect the park, keep yourself safe, and allow everyone to enjoy their views of these geological formations, do not walk or climb on any arches.

    Biological soil crust is a living groundcover that forms the foundation of high desert plant life in Arches and the surrounding area. You can help preserve these fragile and unique life-forms by staying on established trails.

     

    More

    Last updated: July 10, 2021

    Contact Info

    Mailing Address:

    PO Box 907
    Moab, UT 84532

    Phone:

    435 719-2299

    Contact Us

    Tools

    Stay Connected