Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail - Arches National Park

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.

Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

1.       Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

2.       Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

Delicate Arch Lower Viewpoint Trail is a 0.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail and it is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is accessible year-round. A great view if you aren’t able to hike to the arch.

This is the trail for you if you want good views of Delicate Arch, but don't want to run the full 3-mile trail to the arch. To access this trail, go to the parking lot at the very end of the Wolfe Ranch/Delicate Arch Road (drive past Wolfe Ranch - it's the Delicate Arch Trail trailhead for folks going to the base of the arch).

Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

From the parking lot, take the initially paved trail east/northeast and follow the left fork when the trail branches. The trail climbs gently at first over open desert scrub before paralleling a wash with larger bushes. Surmount a steep, rocky outcrop using stairs and rock slabs. After a sharp turn to the east, the grade eases considerably and the amble up tan slickrock slabs commences. Turn back to the north following rock pile cairns up and over crevassed rock scattered with shrubs.

The trail ends at the rim of a steep canyon that separates the viewpoint from the arch. Pick your favorite vantage point- the cliff stretches for nearly half a mile to the east, giving many points from which to capture the perfect photograph. You are only half a mile as the crow flies from the famous arch itself, just across the Winter Camp Wash down below.

Note: there is no way to access the base of Delicate Arch from this viewpoint trail - to access the base, use Delicate Arch Trail from Wolfe Ranch instead.

Directions from Main Park Entrance: Drive northward along the park road for 11.7 miles to the Wolfe Ranch Road. Turn right and follow the road 2.8 miles to its end and the Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail. Do not follow signs to the Wolfe Ranch.