Delicate Arch

Hike Thompson, Utah, United States

What to expect

Delicate Arch is a famous geologic feature in Arches National Park, Utah. It is a free-standing arch with a light opening that is 46 feet high and 32 feet wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. The arch has been given various names throughout its history, including 'Cowboy's Chaps', 'Old Maid's Bloomers', and 'Salt Wash Arch', but the term 'Delicate' was first used in a 1934 article to describe it as 'the most delicately chiseled arch in the entire area'. The arch can be viewed from a distance at the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint, which is accessible via a short, flat trail, or at the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint, which requires a moderately strenuous hike. The trail to Delicate Arch itself is 3 miles roundtrip and climbs 480 feet, passing by the Wolfe Ranch cabin and Ute Indian petroglyphs. The area is part of a larger red-rock wonderland with over 2,000 natural stone arches, hundreds of soaring pinnacles, massive rock fins, and giant balanced rocks

Plan your family visit to the Delicate Arch with these blog insights 👇

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This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to Delicate Arch, the most famous arch in Arches National Park. The hike is about 2 hours round trip. It's mostly uphill at the beginning, but it gets easier after that

Highlights: The kids loved seeing the iconic Delicate Arch and the views of the landscape. We all enjoyed the challenging but rewarding hike to Delicate Arch ✨

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This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to Delicate Arch and were amazed by its unique shape and beauty

Highlights: The kids loved finding the cairns, exploring different rocks, ravines and trails ✨

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This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to Delicate Arch early in the morning

Highlights: Hiking to this famous Utah landmark is bucket list worthy ✨

15 Best Hikes In Arches National Park With Kids

This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked the Delicate Arch Trail, a moderate 3.2-mile roundtrip that takes you up to the iconic Delicate Arch

Highlights: The kids were amazed by the size and beauty of Delicate Arch, and we all enjoyed the views of the surrounding desert landscape ✨

Arches National Park with kids: all the information!

This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to Delicate Arch with our kids. The hike was 5 kilometers long and had some steep precipices

Highlights: Our kids loved the hike and the scenery. We enjoyed the challenge and the beautiful views ✨

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This family's experience:

Activities: We hiked to Delicate Arch, Utah’s unofficial symbol, on the second day of our visit

Highlights: Walking around the ridge and seeing this natural wonder in person was absolutely worth the hike for me ✨