How long does it take to hike Arches National Park?

How Long Is The Hike? The Delicate Arch trail is 3.2 miles long, round-trip. While you may be able to finish the hike in under an hour, most visitors will spend some time at the arch. Allow between two and three hours to complete the hike without being rushed.



People Also Ask

How Long Is The Hike? The Delicate Arch trail is 3.2 miles long, round-trip. While you may be able to finish the hike in under an hour, most visitors will spend some time at the arch. Allow between two and three hours to complete the hike without being rushed.

MORE DETAILS

You could easily spend several days exploring the trails here, so visiting Arches National Park in one day requires some planning ahead to make sure you don't miss the best scenery. Especially since the park often hits capacity by 8 or 9 a.m. during the busy season and the entrance gates close for several hours.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to visit Arches National Park is April through May and September through October, when daytime temperatures average about 60 to 80 degrees. In the summer, temperatures can exceed 100 degrees, which can make exploring the park's trails very uncomfortable.

MORE DETAILS

What time of year is busiest? From March through October, visitation at Arches is extremely high. These holidays and weekends are especially busy: The weeks surrounding Easter (date varies, in 2022: April 10-23)

MORE DETAILS

For those who aren't up for the hike, there are two other viewing options: The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint just down the road only requires a 100-yard walk over flat ground to get a fine look at the arch from a mile away.

MORE DETAILS

Personally I think that hiking boots are required in Arches National Park. The trails are rough and uneven and there are places where you do need to climb over rocks, so if you want to do some of the longer and more difficult hikes it is best to have good footwear with you.

MORE DETAILS

In half a day: Drive the whole park road, spending 10 minutes at each viewpoint, and take a short walk at The Windows Section, Delicate Arch Viewpoint, or Balanced Rock.

MORE DETAILS

You can spend a couple hours or the better part of a day driving the 36 mile (round trip) road through Arches National Park. With plenty of places to stop and snap pictures and panoramic views for miles, you can enjoy the brilliant artistry and majesty of Arches without having to leave your vehicle.

MORE DETAILS

Sand Dune Arch Trail At just 0.3 miles, it doesn't take more than 20 minutes to get there and back unless you take tons of photos once you get to the arch. Because this arch trail is short, not many people do it, making it somewhat of a hidden gem.

MORE DETAILS

Delicate Arch Hike This is the reason most people visit the park is to witness this magnificent arch spanning 52 feet tall. It's so magnificent that it's THE arch on the Utah state license plate. Not only that, but it's one of the most famous geologic features in the world.

MORE DETAILS

Yes. A timed entry reservation is required to enter the park even if you have an existing pass. Annual passes cover the payment of entrance fees, so annual or senior pass holders only need to pay the $2 reservation fee.

MORE DETAILS

By making reservations in advance, visitors can enjoy a stress-free visit to one of the nation's most stunning national parks. When are reservations required? Between April 1, 2023 and October 31, 2023 reservations are required for your vehicle to enter Arches National Park every day between 7 am and 4 pm.

MORE DETAILS

| Updated: Nov. 30, 2019, 8:07 a.m. A man and a woman died Friday morning when they fell into the bowl-area near Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. A younger man also fell and was injured.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

However, if possible, try to schedule your vacation for the late fall, winter or early spring months. Shoot for November to April. If you're insistent on a red-hot Moab summer, stick with the weekdays — Tuesday and Wednesday are the best days to go. And on any day in any season, go before 8 a.m. or in the afternoon.

MORE DETAILS

The park is open 24 hours a day. Late afternoon and evening hours offer beautiful sunsets and reduced crowding, and naturally dark night skies sparkle overhead. During summer months, many trailhead parking lots fill by 7:30 am.

MORE DETAILS

Top 10 Tips
  • Pack your Patience. ...
  • Plan out the activities you want to do ahead of time.
  • Have a backup plan in case Arches is already full (temporarily restricting access) when you arrive. ...
  • Stay up to date on park closures and restricted access times by checking our Alerts or visiting Twitter.
  • Be ready for the desert.


MORE DETAILS