hiking to delicate arch
This hike is special because the arch is difficult to see from the road. You can park at Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint to get a very distant view, but there’s nothing like seeing the wonder of Earth’s unique creation up close. It’s the largest free-standing arch in the park, with the opening beneath the arch being 46 feet high and 32 feet wide. Although this unique landmark is exciting to see at any time, it is highly recommended to do this hike in the evening so you can witness the sunset lighting up the arch with a beautiful reddish pink glow.
Planning (For A Sunset Hike)
- Be sure to arrive early to secure parking and have enough time to complete the hike before sunset begins. It is recommended to arrive (as in finish your hike) at Delicate Arch 45 minutes to an hour before sunset.
- Most of the terrain is composed of slickrock, so be sure to wear proper hiking shoes with good traction.
- A headlamp is imperative for your return hike since it will be dark.
The Hike
The trail is 3.2 miles roundtrip, but you gain 480 feet of elevation on your way up. You have to earn your view on this one, but it’s absolutely worth it! It’s one of those destinations that leaves you feeling like you have landed on another planet!
If you arrive before the sun is setting, it gives you an opportunity to witness the colors of the rocks changing. The side used for viewing the arch has a natural stadium like setup with plenty of areas to get comfortable and watch as the colors change.
You can wait in a line of people to take a photo underneath the arch. I was surprised at how courteous everyone was, patiently allowing each person to get individual photos.
The sun had set almost entirely by the time we started heading back down. Having headlamps allowed us to maximize our time spent viewing Delicate Arch and not having to worry about rushing back to the car before dark.
