Skip to Content

Hiking to Delicate Arch with Kids (Info & Tips)

Hiking to Delicate Arch with Kids (Info & Tips)

Visiting Arches National Park with the family and wondering if it’s a good idea to hike to the famous Delicate Arch with kids? In this guide, you can read about our experience on this hike with children. We also share some useful tips. Take a look!

Arches National Park is one of the must-sees in Utah. It was also one of the main highlights of our family road trip to the U.S. in summer.

Before that trip, I did a lot of research in advance and prepared a day-to-day itinerary for our visit to Arches National Park with kids. There was just one big question mark left: would we be able to do the most beautiful hike in the park, Delicate Arch with kids?

Spoiler alert – we did it! In this post, I share our experience hiking to Delicate Arch with our three children (ages 5, 5, and 7 at that time).

At the bottom of this article, you can also find some practical information for this hike. Find out!

READ ALSO: Best Tours & Fun Excursions in Moab

 

Delicate Arch – Introduction

Delicate Arch is one of the most famous geologic features in the world. The opening beneath the arch is 64 feet (19 m) high and 45 feet (14 m) wide, making it the largest free-standing arch in Arches National Park.

It’s even more impressive in reality than it is in the pictures, so no wonder it’s high on top of many visitors’ to-do list in Arches.

You can see the arch from the Delicate Arch viewpoint on the road, but it’s really far. So if you want to see Delicate Arch up close, be prepared to hike.

Delicate Arch at sunset
Delicate Arch at sunset
 

Arches National Park in Summer

We drove to Arches NP from the Rocky Mountains and as the altitude decreased, the temperatures rose by more than 20°F in just a couple of hours. It was over 106°F (41°C) when we arrived in Moab. All we wanted to do is jump in the swimming pool and not come out of the water for the rest of the day.

So that’s exactly what we did. We checked in at our hotel (we stayed at the Aarchway Inn, Moab that is extremely conveniently located for visiting Arches National Park) and went swimming, not knowing whether we would be able to do any hiking that day, the next day, or the day after.

What an idea to come to Arches with kids at the end of July!

Late in the afternoon, we saw more and more storm clouds gather in the distance. When the clouds finally covered the sun, we could breathe again. This was our chance to do some hiking in Arches National Park with kids, we thought!

So we quickly packed our backpack and drove to a nearby restaurant for early dinner. While we were eating, it started to rain. And when it rains in the desert, it pours. We could forget hiking in this weather!

Luckily for us, the rain stopped as quickly as it began and we headed straight to Arches National Park, conveniently located just outside the town.

Hiking to Delicate Arch with Kids

Hiking to Delicate Arch – Go at Sunset

It was past 6 PM when we entered the park. We knew that it would get dark around 8.30-9 PM at Arches in summer, and so we only had 2-3 hours for a 13 mile (21 km) drive along the Arches Scenic Road and a strenuous 3.2 miles (5.2 km) hike.

From the moment we entered the park, we wanted to stop for pictures at every corner. The landscape was stunning and the light was perfect for photography. We stopped once or twice. Of course, we did, I just couldn’t resist.

But we quickly realized that we would have to drive straight to the Delicate Arch trailhead if we still wanted to try and do the hike.

Balanced Rock Arches National Park
We couldn’t resist stopping for a picture at the Balanced Rock lit by the evening sun
 

Delicate Arch trail is described as a strenuous climb that takes 3 hours return, but we knew by now that hiking time indications are very generous in the U.S. (not like in Switzerland, as we found out later that same summer when we took the kids hiking to Oeschinensee UNESCO World Heritage site).

Rumour has it that Delicate Arch is most beautiful at sunset. If we walked fast, we could make it there just in time for the sunset! But we were still not even sure if we would be able to do the walk. I read that the parking lot at the trailhead of the Delicate Arch hike fills up very quickly and especially in the evening.

We were driving there hoping for the best, but not knowing what we would find. You can imagine how relieved we were when we saw that there were plenty of empty spaces at the parking lot. I assume the storm scared many people away…

Hiking the Delicate Arch trail
Delicate Arch trail
 

Delicate Arch Trail – What to Expect

We had never seen so many warning signs as at the Delicate Arch trailhead: carry water, use sun protection, wear hiking shoes, don’t hike if the storm approaches, etc. etc.

I have to say that we started the hike despite the fact that there were storm clouds nearby. We were lucky and the storm never came our way. In fact, it’s only thanks to those clouds that we could do this hike in 100°F (38°C) heat.

I can’t imagine hiking to Delicate Arch with kids in summer when the sun is shining – there is practically no shade on this trail and the climb is quite steep.

Wolfe Ranch Arches National Park
Wolfe Ranch
 

We started the walk at the Wolfe Ranch – a one-room wooden cabin that belonged to the first settler in the area – John Wesley Wolfe.

After that, we took a short detour to see Ute rock art. From there, we slowly started climbing up the hill, hoping that the hike would take us less time than indicated.

Ute Rock Art at Arches National Park
Ute Rock Art
 

I read somewhere that the trail to Delicate Arch is not always easy to follow. There were indeed hardly any signs along the way, but there were plenty of cairns.

Plus, you really cannot go wrong as there are so many people doing this hike (I did my best to take pictures without the people, but it was quite busy on this trail…).

Delicate Arch trail
Delicate Arch trail
 

The first section of the trail is the most strenuous one as you gain quite some elevation, but the views are amazing! So you have a good excuse to stop and catch your breath once in a while.

Stunning landscape as seen from the Delicate Arch trail
The views on this trail are phenomenal
 

The most beautiful part of the hike is almost at the end, just before reaching Delicate Arch. Spectacular views all around! This part of the hike is a bit narrow and you have to cross the ledge, so make sure to hold on to your kids here.

Hiking the Delicate Arch trail with young kids
The trail gets pretty narrow at the end, but it’s perfectly doable for kids
 

My favorite section of the Delicate Arch trail was at the very end of the trail (accidentally, this is also the part I filmed). You walk on the narrow path along the mountain ridge, enjoying the stunning landscape, and then all of the sudden you turn behind the corner, and here it is – the most beautiful Arch of Arches National Park. Take a look at the short video below.

 

We made it! Before our trip, we were not sure if we could hike to Delicate Arch with kids in summer, but with a little help from the clouds, we could do this fantastic hike.

It was busy at the Arch at sunset, but not as busy as I had expected after reading the reviews and seeing all those people along the way.

Many people just sat there waiting for the sunset, while some others lined up for an obligatory picture under the Arch. We took one too – you need a magnifying glass to see us, but it gives you an idea of how big the arch is.

Family hike to Delicate Arch
The obligatory picture at Delicate Arch – can you even spot us?
 

Afterwards we decided to look around a bit and discovered this amazing view towards the other side. All of a sudden we were all alone, just us and this amazing view.

Scenic lookout close to the the Delicate Arch
Scenic lookout to the left of the Delicate Arch – no people at all
 

We took way too many pictures of the Delicate Arch and left just before sunset. By the time we reached our car, it was dark already.

Conclusion – You Can Hike the Delicate Arch Trail with Kids

Delicate Arch was really worth the hike, but this walk is not only about the arch itself. The views along the way are phenomenal and I would recommend this hike to everyone visiting the Arches. If you do one hike in the park, make it this one – it’s probably the most beautiful hike of the Arches National Park.

And yes, you can do the Delicate Arch trail with kids in summer, but try to avoid the heat of the day – go either very early in the morning or in the evening, just before the sunset.

READ ALSO: Best things to do in Arches NP with kids

Hiking the Delicate Arch Trail with kids
Hiking back was easier
 

Delicate Arch Trail – Practical Info

  • The Delicate Arch trail is 3.2 miles (5.2 km) roundtrip and climbs 480 feet (146m). Trailhead is at the Wolfe Ranch parking area.
  • The hike to Delicate Arch with kids took us a bit less than 50 minutes each way, plus the time at the arch itself. This includes many photo stops along the way.
  • Wear hiking shoes for this walk. Unless it’s wet, sneakers with good grip should be fine as well.
  • Bring a sun hat and sunscreen lotion. There is practically no shade on this trail.
  • Carry lots of water when hiking in Arches National Park, especially in summer. There is NO water available at the trailhead of the Delicate Arch trail.
  • Delicate Arch trail tends to get very busy, especially at sunset. A good alternative can be visiting early in the morning. If the parking lot is full, you can try to park at the Delicate Arch Viewpoint parking lot, but this will add another 2 miles to your hike.
  • It might be a good idea to carry a headlamp with you on this hike if planning to stay till after sunset.

Good to know: Arches National Park now works with timed entry slots in the peak season. Be sure to reserve your spot in advance!

 

So, this is our guide for hiking to the Delicate Arch. For more ideas and tips for the best places to see, make sure to also check our complete guide to the very best things to do in Arches National Park!

If you are also planning to visit Canyonlands National Park, check out our day trip guide to Arches and Canyonlands.

If you are staying in the area longer, here you can find some inspiration for the best things to do in Moab. Also don’t miss our practical guide with information on where to stay near Arches National Park.

MORE FAMILY FUN NEARBY: Mesa Arch Trail and Rafting in Moab

TIP: If you are just starting to plan your trip to Moab – Arches National Park, you may want to check our suggestions for the Moab area itinerary. In this guide, you can find detailed itineraries for any trip from 1 to 5 days. It will help you to plan your trip and make the most of the time that you have. Take a look!

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Hiking to Delicate Arch in Arches NP with kids
 
Delicate Arch - the most beautiful hike of Arches National Park
Hiking the most beautiful trail of Arches National Park, Delicate Arch with kids

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Jerry Karlovich

Wednesday 11th of September 2019

Excellent! Tnx for the story and photos. It stormed the day we were in Moab and was cheated out of the hike. Seriously want to try it again. JK

Jurga

Thursday 12th of September 2019

Oh, that's a pity. Hope you get to hike to the Delicate Arch one day. It's really worth it! Happy travels!

Lorelei

Saturday 4th of May 2019

Thank you! Finding your post especially with video helped me decide it was safe for our young children to do this hike with us. It was incredible! Given trail descriptions I was tempted to skip it. Glad we didn't! Thanks for the post.

Jurga

Saturday 4th of May 2019

Glad to hear that, Lorelei. Researching hikes with young kids was one of the reasons that lead me to start this blog a few years ago. It's so difficult to estimate what you can or can't do with young kids, and so I'm really glad this post helped you decide your kids were up for it and have an unforgettable experience. Happy travels!

Charlotte

Wednesday 3rd of April 2019

I was just googling 'delicate arch with kids' and stumbled upon this beautiful page :) We went to Arches NP in 2013 with 2 kids (5 and 2) and basically just stopped at the different parking lots, went outside to take photos, and went back in the RV. It was just too hot, and the little one was too young - and the views were amazing anyway, and we still got to see some arches. We're coming back to that area next year, all the way from Denmark, and I would love to see Delicate Arch with my boys this time (they will be 12, 9 and 5). How old were your kids on your trip?

Jurga

Thursday 4th of April 2019

Hi Charlotte, our kids were 5, 5, and 7 when we visited Arches NP, so I'm sure your children will be just fine. The biggest challenge is the heat. We hiked in the late afternoon and were lucky with some clouds, but summer is really HOT in Utah. PS It's such a beautiful area, you could easily spend at least 3-4 days in Moab - lots to do if you like active vacations. Here you can find our US trip itinerary that includes Arches, and here you can read more about things to do in Moab.

Ramona Stacey

Thursday 2nd of August 2018

I stumbled upon your post on Pinterest and am so thankful I did. My husband and I are going to Moab in about 6 weeks and you have answered most of my questions. I could just print your article and not need to do any further research! Thank you so much for all of the detailed information and suggestions. You have made me even more excited for our trip.

Jurga

Friday 3rd of August 2018

Good to hear that, Ramona, and thank you so much for your feedback. If you haven't seen yet, we have a few more articles about Moab; might be useful to help you plan the trip further:

Best things to do in Moab Best hotels in Moab Best things to do in Arches National Park with kids

I bet it will be much cooler there end of September, so you'll be able to enjoy it even more. Have a wonderful trip!

Bryony Clapperton (travelsandmore)

Sunday 2nd of October 2016

I am such a nerd when it comes to geology and rock formations. I didn't know anything about Arches National Park before reading this post. I think from the experiences you're giving your children through travel and your adventures (I've read a few now) they are going to grow up very intelligent and interesting people. What an amazing thing it must be for them to, at such a young age, experience all the places you've taken them so far.

Great read and as always excellent pictures. I love the first one of the boys looking at the arch!

Jurga

Sunday 2nd of October 2016

I really appreciate your comment, Bryony. I really hope that these travel experiences will help my boys to grow up to be open-minded and tolerant world citizens. I also love it how they can get excited about some simple things: a small bird, colourful leaves, or some purple clouds at sunset... They teach us to seize the moment and appreciate the things many of us don't even notice anymore...

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.