How Many Hours Hike Arches?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Trail Round-trip Distance Time, Elevation
Tower Arch


2.6 miles (4.2 km)


2.5 hours
Delicate Arch 3 miles (4.8 km) 2.5 hours 480 feet (146 m) Double O Arch at Devils Garden 4.1 miles (6.6 km) 2.5 hours Primitive Trail at Devils Garden 7.8 miles (12.6 km) 4 hours

Can you do Arches in a few hours?


Yes, it would take up all of your time

, but if you only have time for one things, its the thing to do. If you can handle the heat, hike to Delicate Arch from Wolfe Ranch (3 mi. RT). Easily the most iconic hike in the park.

Is one day enough for Arches National Park?

Plus, there is another National Park near Moab called Canyonlands National Park for you to explore! If you are squeezing Arches National Park into a southwest road trip, I think

one to two days is plenty to see the highlights of the park

.

Can you do Arches and Canyonland in one day?

The answer is:

yes, you can visit Arches and Canyonlands in one day

. It just requires planning ahead and planning for a full day of adventure. Here are some quick tips as you keep researching and planning your itinerary: Get an early start and stay late if you want to visit Canyonlands and Arches in a single day.

How long does it take to drive through Arches?

The scenic drive in Arches is about 22 miles one way, so about 45 miles in total. You should count

at least 4-5 hours

to drive the entire road and make short stops (5-30min each) at all the scenic viewpoints. If you are planning to hike in Arches, you’ll need more time.

Do you hike at arches?


Hiking in Arches Can Be Difficult

As one of the most accessible national parks in Utah, Arches offers a great balance of mild and more-challenging trails. While the Double Arch trail is very achievable for most, many hikers are surprised by the difficulty of the Delicate Arch trail.

How difficult is Delicate Arch hike?

Delicate Arch Hiking Trail

After 1.5 miles of

moderately difficult

hiking, you’ll be rewarded with an unbeatable view, and a chance to see the arch up close. On the way, expect to see petroglyphs, another arch (Frame Arch), and do some red rock scrambling.

How long is Delicate Arch?

The trail to see Delicate Arch up close and personal is

3 miles (4.8 km) roundtrip

and climbs 480 feet (146 m). The trail has no shade, some steep climbing, and exposure to drop-offs.

Can you drive to the Arches in Arches National Park?

Paved Roads

The scenic drive in Arches passes many outstanding natural features.

Parking is limited at all destinations

, and popular trailheads like Delicate Arch and Devils Garden may fill for hours at a time, especially on weekends and holidays.

Is Arches National Park open 24 hours?

Thanksgiving November 24 Open 24 hours Christmas Day December 25 Open 24 hours Holiday Date Hours

How do you get around Arches National Park?

The best way to get around Arches National Park is

by car

. There is no public transportation inside Arches National Park, though commercial tours are offered by companies in Moab, Utah, which sits about 5 miles southeast of the park entrance.

Which is better Bryce Canyon or Arches National Park?

While Arches is very similar to Bryce Canyon in outdoor activities,

Arches will be a better destination for most mountain bikers and four wheel-drive enthusiasts

. Arches is a little dryer climate and does not have near the water (lake, ponds, reservoirs) it does have the Colorado river just a stone throw away.

Are Arches worth it?


The rock formations and the in the area are amazing and the views through “Park Avenue” are really worth the visit alone

. However, the star attraction is “Delicate Arch” perched high on the edge of the rocks. There three ways to see the arch.

What can you not miss at Arches National Park?

  • Drive the 18-Mile Scenic Road. …
  • Hike a Trail. …
  • Enjoy Sunrise or Sunset at Delicate Arch. …
  • Camp Under the Stars. …
  • Backpacking. …
  • Join a Ranger-led Program. …
  • Horseback Ride Through the Park. …
  • Rock Climbing.

Which is busier Arches or Canyonlands?

Crowds. Despite its larger size,

Canyonlands gets only a little over half as many visitors as Arches

! If you are looking for solitude, Canyonlands is the way to go. Still don’t expect to be alone if visiting the Island in the Sky, but the crowds will not be as bad as you can expect in Arches.

How far is Arches from Moab?

The entrance of Arches is located

5 miles (8km)

north of Moab, along highway 191. Arches National Park is normally open year-round, 24 hours a day. The park is very busy between March and October.

Is Arches better than Canyonlands?

We preferred Canyonlands due to the longer trails and much fewer people. But

if you’re looking for shorter trails and lots of arches, Arches might be your better bet

. Hiking well into the fading light of the day in Canyonlands National Park.

How long does it take to hike Delicate Arch trail?

To get to Delicate Arch, it is a 3-mile round trip hike with 480 feet of elevation gain. This hike, plus time to view the arch, takes most people

2 to 3 hours

. The National Park Service describes this hike as difficult.

How many days should you spend in Moab?

We recommend at least

2 full days/ 3 nights

for the Moab area. One day for Arches National Park and half a day to a day for Canyonlands National Park, plus the Dead Horse Point State Park. In addition, you can also take a short rafting tour, as we did. 3 days/4 nights would make your visit more relaxing.

What is the best time of year to go to Arches National Park?

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.

What is the most popular hike in Arches National Park?


Delicate Arch

This is THE must-do hike for most visitors in Arches. It’s the formation featured on Utah’s license plate and in countless photographs–an icon of the park and the entire state. Reach Delicate Arch and its mountain backdrop with a 3-mile roundtrip that is mostly across open slickrock.

What is the best arch in Arches National Park?


Delicate Arch

at Arches National Park. Probably the most iconic arch within the park is the Delicate Arch. The arch rises 46 feet from the ground, making it the largest free-standing arch in the park. The hike to the base of the arch is three miles, round trip.

What do I need to hike in Arches National Park?


The Windows Hike

The Windows area of Arches National Park is great for getting out of the car and seeing up close the unique rock formations that define Arches National Park. The Windows is a gravel loop trail that will take you to the North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch.

Is Delicate Arch trail scary?

Need to Know. Just before you get to Delicate Arch, the trail goes along a rock ledge for about 200 yards. This part is

not scary for those without an extreme fear of heights

, but a stumble here could have consequences.

Is the hike to Delicate Arch scary?

The trail to Delicate Arch is

moderately difficult for the average person who is reasonably fit

. It begins easily enough near Wolfe Ranch and then gradually ascends over the slickrock. There is no shade. Some sections of the trail are a little steep.

Can you hike arches at night?

Arches National Park and the surrounding Colorado Plateau offer some of the darkest night skies remaining in the United States.

You can enjoy the park after dark by viewing spectacular night skies

.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.