Arches National Park guide · 2 min read
Delicate Arch Trail and Wolfe Ranch
The hike to Delicate Arch begins at the Wolfe Ranch parking lot, about 13 miles from the park entrance.
Over a round trip of 3 miles, the trail gains 538 feet, so plan on two to three hours. Hard bedrock makes up the surface, with steep climbs and rock steps along the way. The trailhead has no drinking water, so carry at least two quarts for each person.
Early on, the trail passes Wolfe Ranch. In the late 1800s, a disabled Civil War veteran, John Wesley Wolfe, and his son Fred settled nearby. The family ran the ranch for more than 20 years, and its log cabin, root cellar and corral still stand. A rock markings panel sits close by, so you can learn about the ancient markings before you keep climbing.
Beyond the ranch, the climb becomes steady, and rock cairns and signs mark the way. Much of the route crosses a slickrock slope where there is no shade. Shortly before the arch, the trail crosses a narrow rock ledge about 200 yards long, with a drop-off along one side.
The arch stands out against a sloping face of red rock, its span bending into the shape of an inverted U. Beneath it, the opening rises 46 feet and spans 32 feet, and no other free-standing arch in the park is as large. The torch for the Winter Olympics was carried beneath it.
If you would rather skip the hike, Upper Delicate Arch Viewpoint offers a view of the arch with less effort. The walk is 0.6 miles round trip and takes 15 to 30 minutes, and a zoom lens helps with close-up photos. From the Wolfe Ranch lot, drive one mile farther along Delicate Arch Road to reach the large lot for the viewpoint. The Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoint shares that lot and needs even less walking, but it sits much farther from the arch.
