Hiking at the Double Arches in Arches NP Devil’s Garden Primitive Loop While still an uphill climb, this hike is significantly shorter (only 0.5 miles) than hiking all the way to the Delicate Arch.Įlevation gain: flat, little to no elevation gain Location: the trailhead for the Delicate Arch Trail is located at the Wolfe Ranch parking lotĪn alternate option for viewing the Delicate Arch without the more difficult hike is to visit the Upper Delicate Arch instead. Climb up to the window for this “secret” viewpoint, pictured above.ĭistance: 1.5 miles each way (3 miles total) Note: right before you reach the main view point you’ll come across a little window on your right hand side. View of the Delicate Arch – one of the best hikes in Arches National Park Make sure to give yourself a few hours to complete this hike, as you’ll want to have time to sit and enjoy the up-close views at the top. Honestly, if you only have time to do one hike in Arches, make it this one! It is definitely the most impressive in my opinion. There are some more narrow ledges, so if you are afraid of heights you will want to mentally prepare yourself. The park labels this hike as strenuous, but don’t let that turn you off! The hike is moderate at best in opinion, totalling just 1.5 miles each way. Ideally, if you are able to arrive at the arch before the sun rises, you won’t regret it! And for a good reason! The views you get, especially in the early morning, are some of the most beautiful in the world.įor this reason, I recommend starting your morning at the Delicate Arch to take in these incredible views. The Delicate Arch Trail is easily the most popular hike in in Arches National Park. Double Arches from below Best hikes in Arches National Park Delicate Arch Trail Another option would be to stay at the Devils Garden campground within the park for easy hike access! These sites book up quickly during the peak season. You’ll find more information on where to stay in Moab down below. To manage this, you’ll want to arrive in Moab the evening before you plan to explore the park. Unlike other parks, Arches is actually open 24/7, so you can technically arrive at any hour. On the Arches official website, you can check the status of parking lots, closure information, and traffic webcams. Once you’re in the park, you’ll want to visit the more popular spots first because many of these trailhead parking lots fill up as early as 7:30am. I recommend arriving no later than 7am, but even better if you can make it there for sunrise. We were turned away with a sign that let us know that the park had reached capacity. We tried to enter Arches around noon (on a weekday in April when we first arrived in Moab. The peak season for Arches is considered to be spring through fall. I cannot stress this point enough, arrive at the park early, especially during the peak season. The park is located just 4 miles north of Moab so it is an easy stop if you’re visiting the area. What to know about visiting ArchesĪrches is one of Utah’s Mighty 5, which is a collection of national parks in Utah. The heat is another big factor for exploring these parks early, as temperatures can soar into the hundreds during the day in the warmer months. We attempted to visit Arches around noon on our first day in early May, and were turned away due to excessive crowds in the park. Timing is especially important if you’re visiting during the high season, but really any time of year. There are plenty of tours, like a 4×4 adventure, that you can book as well, so you aren’t just hiking in the hot sun all day. Then you can enjoy some late afternoon and sunset hikes. Ideally I would recommend spending the morning exploring, taking a long break during the hottest point of the day for lunch. There are so many incredible hikes to explore, and the crowds can make it difficult to navigate the hikes (and find parking) quickly. I recommend dedicating at least 1 full day to explore Arches, but ideally 2 days if you have the time and want to get in a number of hikes. How Much Time to Spend Visiting the Best Hikes in Arches? The Windows Section (including the Double Arch).How Much Time to Spend Visiting the Best Hikes in Arches?.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |