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Can you hike Delicate Arch in the Dark?

Sunset was at about 8:30 and you'll need to stay until about 10:30 for adequate darkness. We saw clusters of stars in deep space that we'd never seen before. The walk down in the dark was exhilarating and the cairns marked the trail well. This is one of the country's best NPs, and I highly recommend this exercise.



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Arches National Park is normally open year-round, 24 hours a day. Fees apply. The park is very busy between March and October. To avoid traffic, we recommend entering the park before 8 am or after 3 pm.

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Visit at Sunrise or After Sunset Delicate Arch is the busiest destination in the park. If you plan to hike the trail between noon and sunset, expect to share the trail with many other hikers. For a less crowded experience, we'd recommend visiting the arch during sunrise, or after the sun has set.

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Delicate Arch is the busiest destination in the park. If you plan to hike the trail between noon and sunset, expect to share the trail with many other hikers. For a less crowded experience, we'd recommend visiting the arch during sunrise, or after the sun has set.

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#3 Best Time to Avoid the Crowds The best time to see Delicate Arch without the crowds is early in the morning, just past sunrise. If you want the chance to have Delicate Arch to yourself (or just share the experience with a handful of people) it's worth rolling out of bed early and heading right to Delicate Arch.

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Trail Details: Length: 3.2 miles round trip, 1.5 miles to Delicate Arch. Time: 2-3 hours. Elevation Gain: 550 foot gain. Difficulty: Moderate.

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Arches National Park Chief Ranger Scott Brown said Friday that fatal falls at Delicate Arch aren't common, but that inclement weather can make the trail tricky to maneuver.

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Hikers wisely avoiding summer heat may fill up trailhead parking lots before 8 am. Outside of the Timed Entry Pilot Program hours/months, full parking lots may cause the park to temporarily restrict access until congestion lessens. Periods of restricted access can last 3-5 hours. Plan ahead.

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You cannot sleep in your car at Arches National Park unless you have a reserved campsite at the Devils Garden Campground, which is the only designated campground within the park.

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The views along the way are phenomenal and I would recommend this hike to everyone visiting the Arches. If you do one hike in the park, make it this one – it's probably the most beautiful hike of the Arches National Park.

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This trail is strenuous and the arch is not visible until the end of the trail. For an easier view, try Delicate Arch Viewpoints. Hike Description: Avoid this hike during midday summer heat. This trail climbs up a steep slickrock slope with no shade and some exposure to heights.

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Primitive Trail at Devil's Garden This is the longest and most challenging continually maintained trail in Arches National Park. After reaching Landscape Arch the trail gets a little more rugged as you climb over sandstone slabs and walk on narrow ledges and exposed fins.

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While sneakers are an okay option for hiking to Delicate Arch, hiking boots are more comfortable. I wear Merrell Moab hiking boot and Jeremy wears the Oboz Bridger BDRY boot, and we both love our boots.

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Wolfe Ranch Parking Lot Wolfe Ranch is located 13 miles (21 km) from the park entrance. The three-mile roundtrip hike (4.8 km) to Delicate Arch begins here. A short walk to Wolfe Ranch and a nearby ancient rock markings panel also begins here.

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We're wrapping up this list of the best hikes in Arches National Park by mentioning one of the most underrated hikes in the park – the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail. Offering an interesting perspective of the iconic Delicate Arch, this hike offers breathtaking views that most people overlook.

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It will take most people 2 to 3 hours to hike to and back from Delicate Arch, but only you will know your pace. Also, plan for at least a 30-minute drive from Moab to the trailhead. Pack appropriately– If you are going to be hiking for sunrise, be sure to bring a headlamp and batteries.

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