Is Sunrise at Delicate Arch Worth It?
We visited Arches National Park in Utah, while we were staying in Moab, just so that we could watch the sunrise at Delicate Arch.
Was sunrise at Delicate Arch worth it?
Short answer: yes – if you’re willing to wake up early.
Watching the sun come up over Delicate Arch is one of the most memorable experiences we had in Arches National Park. But getting there for sunrise means hiking 3 miles round trip in the dark, carrying a headlamp, navigating slickrock and potentially dealing with cold temperatures before the sun comes up.
In this guide, I’m sharing exactly what the sunrise hike was like, how early we arrived, what the crowds were like, what I’d do differently, and whether I’d choose sunrise over sunset.
Delicate Arch is one of the many natural arches located in Arches National Park in Utah USA. I know, the park’s name is very original. 😉 It is also one of the best places in Arches National Park for sunrise photos.
Out of all of the natural arches in the park, Delicate Arch is the most popular and therefore most famous. I was seeing photos of it all over social media before we went and so it was added to our travel bucket list.
🌵 Fun Fact: Delicate Arch is the national monument of Utah and is actually pictured on the Utah car license plates!
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Sunrise at Delicate Arch in Arches National Park
Delicate Arch and Moab in a Snapshot
📍 Where is Delicate Arch: Moab, Utah about 3-4 hours drive from Salt Lake City.
✈ Where to fly into: Salt Lake City – FIND FLIGHTS
📆 When to visit: Spring or Fall
🛌 Bucketlist hotels: Under Canvas Moab ⭐⭐⭐ 9.2 rating
Sorrel River Ranch and Spa ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6 rating
Red Cliffs Lodge ⭐⭐⭐ 9.2 rating
🚗 Rental Car: We use DiscoverCars to find the best rental car prices!
💲 Permits and National Parks Passes Required: America the Beautiful
⌚ How long do you need: Half a day – 1 day
😉 Best Tours: Colorado River Dinner Cruise and Half-Day Arches National Park 4×4 Driving Tour
Is Sunrise at Delicate Arch Worth it?
Delicate Arch is impressive at any time of the day, but there is something magical about sitting waiting in the dark to see the arch appear for the first time.
When the sun does start to rise, the arch changes colours as it gets lighter and you can get loads of amazing photos, each slightly different.
In my opinion, yes, sunrise at Delicate Arch is definitely worth it for the adventure, the photos and the memories.
Our Experience Watching Sunrise at Delicate Arch
We arrived to the parking lot when it was still completely dark. We parked quickly, put our headlights on and set off using all trails to guide us. The trail was a little more confusing than we expected because we couldn’t see much of the landscape around us and parts of the trail didn’t have a proper path but instead you needed to look for the rock cairns marking the route along the slickrock.
As we climbed higher, we knew we were getting close. We were now on a more defined path which lead us around the side of a huge rock face.
Delicate Arch suddenly appeared around the other side of the rock wall and we found a spot opposite the arch and settled in to wait for sunrise with around 15-20 other people. Keep in mind that this was a few years ago now and I would expect it to be much busier today.
Before the sun came up, the sky began to turn pink and purple so we decided to start taking photos. I loved watching the light move across the arch as it got later. It was a little challenging to get a good photo without anyone else in it because a lot of people were standing under the arch for their own photos.
Do I think it was worth it to wake up ridiculously early and hike in the dark for this? Absolutely! For us, sunrise at Delicate Arch is a memory that we will hold onto for a long time which means so much more than a good photo.
What Time Should You Arrive at the Parking Lot for Sunrise?
If you’re planning to watch the sunrise at Delicate Arch, I recommend arriving at the Wolf Ranch Parking lot about 1.5-2 hours before sunrise and I’d allow around 45-60 minutes to hike to the arch.
You’ll want to be there pretty early to make sure you can get a spot because this is one of the most popular sunrise spots in the park and so the area around the arch fills up quickly. The parking lot also has limited spaces and can fill up, so arriving early give you a better change of getting a spot.
For example, if sunrise is at 6:30am, I’d aim to be parked and ready to hike by 4:30-5am.
The Delicate Arch Hike
Hike Stats
Distance: 5.1km / 3.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 192m / 629 ft
Time: 1.5 hours
Toilets: At the parking lot / trailhead
Hiking Directions and Description
We found the hike from the parking lot to Delicate Arch a little confusing, especially in the dark on the way there. Luckily, there were others on the trail so we ended up following them.
The key is to try to follow the rock cairns (rock piles) which have been set up by the park rangers to guide you. I recommend having offline maps to also help you stay on the right trail.
It should take you about 30 minutes to drive from Downtown Moab to the parking lot at Delicate Arch.
From the parking lot, the trail starts off pretty easy and the first thing that you will notice is the Wolf Ranch. The trails starts getting steeper and once you reach the slickrock sections, you will need to count on the rock piles and your offline maps to help you navigate.
After you have climbed the slickrock, you will make it to a much better defined trail with a steep drop off on one side. This trail will take you around a wall of red rock on your right. Eventually you will emerge from behind the huge wall of rock and see Delicate Arch.
There’s something crazy about seeing a rock formation like Delicate Arch in real life after seeing it so often on social media in photos.
Important Things to Know Before you go
- Keep an eye on the weather. The desert can flood very quickly, leaving you stranded. We actually came across a couple who had spent the night in the parking lot because the road leading back had flooded overnight and was impassable.
- Bring headlamps if you are hiking at sunrise or sunset.
- Bring plenty of food and water. It is a hike to reach the arch and you will get hungry and thirsty.
- Bring clothing layers to keep warm while the sun is down. Delicate Arch is located in an exposed area which gets very cold at night.
- You will need a National Parks Pass shown on your car’s dashboard.
- Be careful – there are steep drop offs at Delicate Arch. Watch your footing and be aware of others.
- There is no shade along this hike so make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen and cover ups.
- Hold onto your belongings. Once you reach Delicate Arch, it is a steep drop off into the canyon bowl so anything that you don’t have hold of will roll straight down and be gone.
- Leave No Trace and pack out all of your belongings and trash with you.
Alternative Ways to see Delicate Arch
The classic hike and photography spot is not the only place that you can see Delicate Arch from. There is also the Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint and the Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint. Please note that dogs are not allowed on either of these trails.
Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint
The Lower Delicate Arch viewpoint is only a 5 minute walk from the Lower Delicate Arch parking lot shown on the map in this blog post. Delicate Arch is pretty far away so it is a bit of a long distance view of the arch but this is a great more accessible option with a nice short, flat path.
This is also a good option for you to be able to see Delicate Arch if you find yourself with only free time during a hot Summer’s day. The heat in Moab is stifling and the last thing you will want to do is hike through the desert!
Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint
The Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint is 0.5 miles (0.8km) from the same parking lot. The trail to the upper viewpoint is steep 171ft (52m) and will take you about 30-45 minutes. This part of the trail is not accessible as it takes you up steep slopes and steps.
From the viewpoint, you will be a bit closer to the arch and be able to see the it from across the canyon. You’ll also be able to make out the crowds of people sitting around the arch who have done the full hike all of the way to Delicate Arch.
Everything You Need to Know about Delicate Arch in Utah
Where is Delicate Arch Located
Delicate Arch is located in Arches National Park in Utah. The closest town to the park is Moab, which is where we stayed while we were there. If you have time I recommend spending at least a couple of days in Moab to make the most of everything there is to do there.
Click here to open the map in Google Maps!
How to Get to Moab from Salt Lake City
If you are coming from overseas or elsewhere in the US, I recommend flying into Salt Lake City International Airport and picking up a rental car there. I like using DiscoverCars to find the best price.
It will take you almost 4 hours to drive from Salt Lake City to Moab. From the International Airport, you will need to head south on N 3700 W toward 510 N.
Keep to the right and let the road turn into Crossbar Rd and then take the ramp onto Terminal Drive. Use the left 2 lanes to take the I-80 E/I-15/I-215 ramp to Salt Lake City/Ogden/Provo.
In about 3.7 miles, merge onto the I-15 S/I-80 E toward Cheyenne/Las Vegas. In another 50 miles, take the US-6 E exit toward Price. Continue on US-6 E for 128 miles and then merge onto I-70 E/US-6 E.
You will then need to look for exit 182 toward Moab and merge onto US-191 S.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park and Delicate Arch
Learn from our mistake and do NOT visit Arches National Park in Summer! In July, the average high is around 38 degrees Celsius (100 F) and you will find yourself not wanting to do anything during the day.
The best time to visit Delicate Arch is during Spring or Fall to make the most of the cooler temperatures. These are however, also the busiest times in terms of tourism to visit the area, so make sure you plan well ahead of time to book your accommodation and any tours and activities you want to do.
I also highly recommend going at either sunrise or sunset to get the best photos and to avoid the heat. The way the arches and red rocks light up in the glowing sun is pure magic!
😍 You could join this sunset tour to get some incredible photos of Delicate Arch in the stunning sunset light. This is one of the most popular tours in Arches National Park, so make sure you book well ahead of time! – Check availability and book here!
Where to Stay Near Arches National Park
The best place to stay near Arches National Park is in Moab, which is about a 30 minute drive from Delicate Arch. We stayed at the Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway in their log cabins because it was a more affordable option but there are loads of other amazing options.
Luxury
Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa is a luxury resort in Moab with gorgeous rooms and amazing views of the Colorado River and surrounding desert. The sunsets from here are to die for!
Mid-Range
Red Cliffs Lodge is like something out of a rustic dream! It is also located outside of Moab which means the surrounding views are insanely beautiful! The lodge includes an outdoor pool and is home to Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage and Moab’s Ford Bronco Off-Roadeo Experience. The lodge also has massages, guided yoga and meditation classes, tennis courts, and horseback riding all onsite.
If you stay here, make sure you check out the stars at night! Because there is little to no light pollution, this is an excellent area for star gazing.
Budget
The Apache Motel is only a couple of blocks from the main Downtown area in Moab including shops and restaurants. This is actually the first motel ever built in Moab so it is a historic landmark! They are super pet friendly with a dog wash and fenced dog park and have some really great reviews about the many different details of the motel that you just wouldn’t find anywhere else!
What to Pack for Sunrise at Delicate Arch
- Extra layers to keep warm
- Food and Water
- Sunscreen and a hat – 100% necessary for the strong Utah sun!
- America the Beautiful Pass on your dashboard
- First Aid Kit
- Headlamp
- Trekking poles – not 100% necessary but I like using them so that I don’t ruin my knees
- Hiking boots or trail runners – my favourite boots
- Your camera – Our camera gear is here!
- Rain gear – even if it is not in the forecast, it could still rain.
- Your camera!
frequently asked questions
Can I join a tour to visit Arches National Park?
Joining a tour often saves a lot of stress when planning a trip. There are a few different tours that will take you to see Arches National Parks such as this full day Arches National Park 4×4 Drive and Hiking Tour starting in Moab.
If you are also wanting to see Canyonlands while you are in Moab, you could join this Full-Day Canyonlands and Arches 4×4 Driving Tour.
If you are visiting Utah, you might also enjoy:
- Unique Places to Stay Near Capital Reef National Park
- How to Hike the Cassidy Arch Trail in Capital Reef National Park
- How to Visit the Temple of the Sun and Moon, Utah
- Cathedral Valley Loop Guide – The Best Stops and Views!
- Our Ultimate 7 Day Utah Road Trip from Salt Lake City
- Long Dong Silver Spire – One of Utah’s Hidden Gems
- How to Visit the Bentonite Hills in Utah
- Amazing Things to Do in Hanksville Utah
- How to Get to Moonscape Overlook in Utah
- How to Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Ultimate 2 Day Itinerary
- Moab to Monument Valley: A Day Trip that is 1000% Worth it!
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