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One of the best hiking hikes in the world is
DELICATE ARCH
Other great dayhikes in this Park include:
It couldn't be easier to organize a hike to Delicate Arch — IF you have your own vehicle.
AT A GLANCE
 Delicate Arch is a world famous, much photographed, natural landmark
- to get there requires a rugged dayhike 3mi (4.8km) round trip
- option to return off-trail via a rocky ridge
- elevation change: 480ft (146m)
- easy - moderate difficulty in good weather
- no public transportation to trailhead
- worst months are June - Aug when average highs of 104F (40C) can strike down even fit hikers
- best months are in the Spring and Fall
- early morning or late afternoon you may get the monument to yourself. Otherwise, it's crowded.
WHY WE LIKE THIS HIKE
Arches uniquely has 2,000+ natural sandstone arches. There is no Park in the world remotely similar.
- hiking permit not required
- access to the trailhead is quick and easy out of Moab, Utah
- other excellent hikes nearby
- it's safe for children and non-hikers
- visiting historic Wolfe Ranch at the trailhead
- visiting the petroglyph panel en route
- climbing up and through Frame Arch en route
- white-throated Swifts nest on the monument in summer
- Delicate Arch is completely hidden from view on this trail before finally being dramatically revealed
- the view of the high La Sal Mountains through the arch
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CONSIDERATIONS
Hikers are warned repeatedly about the dangers of the heat, the lack of water in the back country and the high risk of getting lost. (This is one part of the world where carrying a GPS is highly recommended.)
People have even died in Arches National Park.
- National Parks Permit or entrance fee required for Arches
- You need a vehicle to hike Arches. Hitchhiking is illegal and you will be cited if caught by the police.
- carry plenty of water and sufficient clothing
- very little shade except at the top
- beware snow and ice mid-winter
- the start of the walk leaving Wolfe Ranch trailhead is ugly
- cairns mark the route over a slickrock ascent (good footing)
- there is only one (excellent) campground (52 sites) and it is difficult to get a space. But it's easy to hike Arches as a day trip out of Moab.
- two days in Arches National Park are needed to do all the major dayhikes so the campground is a good option if you can get a spot
- pets allowed in the Park and in the campground, but not on any hiking trails
- May 2006 climber Dean Potter made the controversial
 first known free climb of Delicate. This led to tightened regulations banning climbing on all arches due to the fragile nature of the stone.
- mosquitoes and biting flies may be a problem in the spring and early summer.
- if you really look, you might be able to find: black widow spider, centipede, scorpion, rattlesnake or tarantula.
- combine a trip to Arches with nearby fantastic Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands (Island in the Sky) National Park
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ROUTES
- the jumping off point for almost everyone is Moab
- Arches National Park Information Station is just a few miles from town. In fact, there is a bike trail between Moab and the Park.
- stop at the National Park visitor centre at the entrance to pay for your Park pass (if you don't already have one)
- the only trailhead, very clearly signed, is at Wolfe Ranch, (Non-hikers can drive on to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint and wave at you when you get to the Arch.)
- this is an in-and-out hike
- a variation to consider is returning via the rocky ridge running parallel to the trail. (The off-trail return route is clearly visible as you ascend on the normal route.)
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LOGISTICS
If you sign on with a guided tour, logistics will be organized for you. This section is for independent hikers.
- it's nearly essential to have your own vehicle to travel in this part of the world.
- many rent a car in a major city and drive to Moab, Utah. Salt Lake City is 4.5hrs, Denver is 6hrs, Las Vegas further.
 if you insist on coming via public transport, take the Bighorn Express shuttle van from the Salt Lake City airport. You can catch Bighorn in Green River as well which has both Greyhound bus and Amtrak train service.
- American Spirit shuttle can deliver you to Moab from Grand Junction, Colorado
- you could even fly to Moab's Canyonlands Field airport though flights are expensive
- in town the best rent-a-car option is Thrifty Moab . Book ahead as their cars are often "out" during high season. (There are plenty of expensive jeeps and Hummers available though.)
- more transportation options
- driving through Moab on the noisy highway is a drag. Many experienced hikers avoid this over-priced tourist trap except to resupply with groceries and do laundry. But there is a great outdoors shop (Gearheads) if you need camp stove fuel.
- to be fair, if you take any side street in Moab, you'll find a clean, friendly town with amazing bike trails
- Moab has an award winning public library
- free wireless internet is available almost everywhere in town if you have your own laptop
- there are many accommodation and restaurant options
- tent at charming Up The Creek campground in Moab or just out of town in one of many popular spots along the river. (Ask about free tenting spots at tourist information.)
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Hike and bike shuttles from Moab. Negotiate a fee for drop-off and/or pick-up.
HIKING GUIDES
Most hike Delicate Arch independently unless they are with a group tour.
LOCAL INFORMATION
First stop in town should be the Moab Visitors Center . Check on local news, road construction, trail closures, etc.
For information on Arches National Park:
Telephone and on-line reservations for Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park (both group and individual sites) may be made through the new recreation.gov website.
Most hikers cannot book long enough in advance to get a reservation. You'll find them lined up (with us) an hour before the Arches Parks office opens, hoping to score a last-minute spot. Be as flexible as possible with your itinerary.
BEST HIKING GUIDEBOOKS
Most often recommended is Schneider's book as it covers most of the best hikes in the area. (Actually, no guidebook is needed if you are only hiking in Arches National Park.)
There are a dozen other good Utah hiking books, of course, most of which include Delicate Arch.
OTHER RECOMMENDED BOOKS
Desert Solitaire - Edward Abbey, 1968 is the essential book for a visit to Arches. His comic, insightful experiences as a Park Ranger in the early days still resonate with hikers today.
- Falcon Hiking Utah (3rd edition) - Bill Schneider, 2005
- Between a Rock and a Hard Place - Aron Ralston, 2005
- The Colorado Plateau - John Murray, 1998
- Monkey Wrench Gang - Edward Abbey
- Best Hikes with Children in Utah - Maureen Keilty, 1993
- Photographing the Southwest: Volume 1 - Southern Utah, Laurent Martres
- Photographing the Southwest: Volume 2 - Arizona & New Mexico, Laurent Martres
- Standing Up Country - Canyon Lands of Utah and Arizona, C. G. Crampton, 2000
- Falcon Utah Wildlife Viewing Guide - Jim Cole, 1990
- Falcon Scats and Tracks of the Desert SW - James Halfpenny, 2000
- Moviemaking - Canyon Country Chronicles , Greer Chesher
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BEST MAPS
Trails Illustrated Arches National Park shows hiking routes, recreational activities and is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant plastic material. 1:50000. It's the best though is certainly not needed if you are only hiking Delicate Arch.
Free maps are available for Arches at the visitor's centres, as well.
BEST WEB PAGES
After this page, the best links are:
BEST PHOTOS & TRIP REPORTS
MOVIES, VIDEOS, DVDs
There are many DVDs and VHS videos for sale in Utah which include Delicate Arch.
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