Hiking Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint Trail

Intermediate Intermediate
 3.7 (21)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Arches National Park
  5. Delicate Arch
Explore in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“Less challenging than the trail to the base of Delicate Arch, this viewpoint trail still astounds. ”

Megan W
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.8

KM

Point to Point

4,544' 1,385 m

High

4,356' 1,328 m

Low

188' 57 m

Up

26' 8 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

42%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

Description

This is the trail for you if you want good views of Delicate Arch, but don't want to hike 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).

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.

Shared By:

Megan W
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 21 votes

#1

in Delicate Arch

#7989

Overall
  3.7 from 21 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
24%
3 Star
38%
2 Star
10%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Delicate Arch

#257

in Utah

#7,989

Overall
19 Views Last Month
4,356 Since Mar 5, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
21%
11%
63%
0%
5%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Delicate Arch from its Viewpoint Trail
Mar 8, 2015 near Moab, UT
A view of arches and visitors from the canyon floor.
Apr 4, 2015 near Moab, UT
Delicate Arch
Dec 8, 2020 near Moab, UT
Delicate Arch
Jan 20, 2016 near Moab, UT
I love this land
Aug 10, 2018 near Moab, UT
Delicate Arch view from the close, parking lot viewing platform
Mar 8, 2015 near Moab, UT

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Aug 11, 2024
Christy Ferguson
Actual check in August 10th.
Jun 8, 2024
Michele ONeill
Apr 25, 2024
John Eversmeyer
1.3mi — 0h 59m
Sep 22, 2023
Krystin Diaz
Sep 3, 2023
Private User
Jun 21, 2023
Michelle Kuhlmann
May 21, 2023
George Vogel
Sep 16, 2022
Private User

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started