Did you know that Arches National Park has more than 2,000 natural arches that have been discovered? And who knows how many more are still waiting to be found? Among them, the Delicate Arch is one of the most beautiful, iconic, and famous. Not only does it grace Utah’s license plates, but it has also become a symbol of the park.

At the Trailhead

After finishing our first 2-mile hike to Landscape Arch in the Devil’s Garden, we decided to add another 3.5 miles to our adventure to see this amazing arch. As we arrived at the trailhead, it was a scorching 95 degrees. The sweltering sun was beating down on us, and there was no water available on-site other than a few compostable bathrooms. We were warned that this hike was not only dangerous but also fatal for some. Naturally, we decided to attempt it with just three bottles of water for our family of four. Because why not?

We hiked about half a mile on a fine red dirt path, sinking into the sand at times, making it feel like we were on a sandy treadmill. With no shade in sight, we eventually reached a massive rock that extended over almost the entire hike toward the arch. It was not an easy climb due to its gradual steep ascent without anything to hold onto.

The rock seemed as slippery as a banana peel, and if you fell, you might roll all the way to the bottom. Yes, it was dangerous, and there were so many people climbing and descending. Seeing all sorts of people going and coming, we felt reassured that we could do it, even though we were a bit tired from the first hike. Some visitors struggled even with hiking poles, while others ran it like it was a casual jog. We kept going at a decent pace until we passed the rock and entered an otherworldly area filled with rock formations that defied description. This mesmerizing section had reddish rock walls blended with the sand on the ground, making me want to stay forever.

As we passed through, we gradually climbed until we reached a narrow rocky path with a 100-foot drop on one side and a rock wall on the other. We had to walk about 50 yards to finally see the most famous arch of the park: the Delicate Arch.

The Delicate Arch.

Getting to the arch wasn’t easy. Taking a picture from afar was the best option, as it fit perfectly into our phone screens. We took a bunch of photos before deciding to walk closer. The path was slippery with nothing to hold onto, and a misstep could mean a 100-foot drop. The narrow path leading to the arch was crowded with visitors. The steep slope was pretty scary, but as a family, we decided to brave it.

As we got closer to the massive arch, the wind picked up. We felt like we were floating. My hat flew off my head, but thanks to its string, it stayed attached. We tiptoed towards the arch, struggling to fit into the picture due to its massive height, making us look tiny. We took some photos anyway. As we headed back, my son’s hat was caught by the wind and took off. He ran after it, but my wife screamed for him to stop, preventing him from tumbling down the arch. Fortunately, he stopped, and so did the hat. I retrieved it from under a rock before we continued.

Hiking back

Hiking back down was as intimidating as going up. The slippery, steep slope was a challenge. Somehow, we managed to descend slowly, except for the kids who practically ran down the rock. The funny thing was noticing a few puddles filled with tadpoles, with signs asking not to disturb the delicate wildlife, which is part of the park’s structure.

After an hour and 45 minutes of hiking up and down 3.5 miles, we arrived back at the trailhead, exhausted, drenched in sweat, and with nearly empty bottles of water. We survived the most iconic hike to see the most beloved arch of the park, and we have the hilarious memories to prove it.