Hike to Delicate Arch at Sunset
HikingModerateSpringFallWinter
Witness Utah's most iconic sandstone span glow fiery orange as the sun dips below the horizon, perfect for the cooler September evenings.
Itinerary tips
- 1Book your Arches National Park timed-entry reservation months in advance to ensure access during the peak sunset window.
- 2Carry a high-lumen headlamp or flashlight for each person to navigate the 1.5-mile return trek over slickrock in total darkness.
- 3Pack at least one liter of water and a windbreaker, as temperatures drop rapidly once the sun disappears behind the canyon walls.
- 4Arrive at the Wolfe Ranch trailhead at least two hours before sunset to secure a parking spot and allow for the steady uphill climb.
- 5Walk past the main bowl area to the far ridge if you want to capture the arch with the La Sal Mountains framed in the background.
- 6Plan for a three-mile round trip that takes most hikers about two to three hours including time spent at the summit.
More in Moab
Hike Grandstaff Canyon to Morning Glory
Follow a perennial stream through a lush canyon that stays cool even in late summer, ending at a massive 243-foot natural bridge.
HikingMountain Bike the Whole Enchilada
Experience the ultimate 7,000-foot descent from the high alpine La Sal Mountains down to the Colorado River, a bucket-list ride that is prime in September.
AdventureRaft the Fisher Towers Section
Float past the soaring red spires of the Onion Creek area on the Colorado River, featuring splashy Class II rapids suitable for the whole family.
OutdoorDrive the Shafer Trail Switchbacks
Navigate a white-knuckle descent on a dirt road that drops 1,500 feet from the Island in the Sky mesa to the canyon floor.
Scenic
