Arches National Park Itinerary: One Full Day

Arches National Park in Moab Utah was the first national park, of the Mighty 5, that we visited. We had an awesome experience, even with just spending one day at this park. We started out early (it was in July with afternoon temps in the high 90s) and hiked to Delicate Arch.

Delicate Arch

It’s hard to explain what an amazing experience this 3 mile roundtrip hike was. Researching it before hand, I knew there would not be a lot of shade. So with water in hand and much anticipation, we finally found a parking place at the trail head, and started hiking.

The trail started out pretty flat and wide open. It does narrow at points to where it’s more of a trail. The first pretty steep incline is actually paved. A lot of the trail is fine rocks on a nicely packed path. After a bit you get to the slick rock, which is wider but steeper. Still very little shade, but places where you can take a break out of the way of others.

Also in my research, I learned the most narrow part of the trail is up along the side of a rock with a drop off on the opposite edge. Depending on whose YouTube video I was watching or whose comments I was reading, I was getting a picture of this part ranging from scary to really no big deal. 

I’m going to weigh in as not really scary. You do need to pay attention and I wouldn’t want to go off the side! It’s steep, but not a huge free-fall drop off like going over a cliff. The path is narrow, and I preferred to stay up against the rock side, but wide enough that people are able to pass each other along this part. 

The best thing about this stretch, is that it’s the end! Up until this point during the entire hike, the arch is not in sight. As you are hugging the rock wall and making your way up the gradual incline and around the curve, all of the sudden there it is! Aaaaahhhhh (this is to be read like angels singing-not a sigh!) what a payoff! It’s massive, it’s amazing, it’s unreal. 

Once you get past some of the people, you’ll get a better view and a better idea of the scale (32×46 ft opening). Look at the size of Bud’s cousin, Ted,  and his wife Cathy, as they are standing on the base rocks of the arch! And look closely to see them underneath the arch. 

They were brave and went around the ‘pit’ for the hands on experience and photos.  I refer to the pit as ‘where people die’. Although, of the millions of visitors to Delicate Arch, few have actually plummeted to their death.  Still it was nerve racking to try to stay up by the rocks away from the pit because of the slope towards it. 

Bud and I only went so far and then turned back.  We had to climb back up the rocks overlooking the pit where we began. Bud reached down to try to help pull me up and a guy, leaning against the rock, jokingly said he would catch me if I fell (and possibly slid down into the pit??!). I persuaded him to be behind me (makes that offer more legit-right?!). I was able to get back upon the rocks, without incident, and take it all in. It was incredible!  

Frame Arch

After lots of pics and being awed by the Delicate Arch experience, we headed out. There was one more stop planned on the way back-Frame Arch. On the way, as we had almost made it to Delicate Arch, we noticed an arch (window) at the top of the huge rocks. This is Frame Arch and it’s the perfect arch in an arch photo op. 

Here are Ted & Cathy bravely scaling the steep, smooth rocks to get up and down to Frame Arch. Luckily, there were others up there to take their pic in the arch. We were too low on the ground to get the shot.

Another Blogger

Just around the corner we we hiked past a little photo shoot in progress. Apparently there was another blogger, or most likely a social media influencer, taking advantage of the picturesque smooth rock setting. She had on a flowing red dress and was walking barefoot up on the erosion-smoothed rocks. 

The visual prize at the end of the Delicate Arch hike was obviously worth every step. I’ll never forget that 1st glimpse of Delicate Arch.  Now, the payoff on the returning hike would be the parking lot and sitting down in our car! Haha 

Of course, as usual, the hike down was much easier with less rest stops if any. 

Although the Arches National Park Visitors Guide labels this hike as a difficult trail, it’s totally doable for a couple in their 50s/60s-one afraid of heights and the other with horrible balance.  We highly recommend this hike, if you go to Arches National Park, even for just one day. 

Visitor Center

By the time we were finished with the Delicate Arch hike, the Visitor Center was open. This is always a good place to pick up maps, guides, patches, souvenirs, drinks, etc. There are Park Rangers here too for questions or to swear you in as a Junior Park Ranger, if you are young enough!

Balanced Rock

Arches aren’t the only formations, at Arches National Park, as the softer sandstone erodes quicker than the harder slick rock. Balanced Rock is one of the most popular examples of various results due to erosion.

Balanced Rock is 128 feet tall with the balancing rock being 55’ tall. This formation is easily seen from the road, however we enjoyed the less than .5 mile hike around it. As you follow the Loop Trail around you’ll see the changing perspectives of this formation. 

We spent about 20 minutes or so here, playing around and taking photos. It was much easier holding up the rock (haha) than playing the stack game with itty bitty rocks. God does a much better job balancing rocks!

Chip Off The Old Block

Make sure you stop here and do the easy loop hike/walk to gain the full perspective of Balanced Rock. This formation is expected to continue eroding until it collapses. There was actually a smaller balanced rock here, called Chip Off The Old Block, that eroded to the point of collapsing in 1975 or so. Does anyone remember seeing this one in person? 

The Windows Section 

The Windows Section of Arches National Park is basically 2 pretty short hikes to take in 5 significant arches.  Even tho you have some limited views from the parking lots, getting out and exploring these up close provides the best look. 

The Windows

The 1 mile round trip hike for The Windows takes you up to North and South Windows and also Turret Arch.  

North Window

The short hike starts off pretty flat, with the massive North Window in sight, and develops into some steeper steps leading directly up to the arch. You can hike up under the arch, although photos out front show the full window. 

From here, there is also a shorter Primitive Trail taking you behind the Windows and back to main trail.  

South Window 

From North Window, continue along the trail around some big rocks and South Window will come into view.  As you continue further away from North and South Windows, you will be able to see that they form Spectacles when viewed together. 

Turret Arch

After seeing North and South Windows up close, across the way you will see Turret Arch.  Continue the trail and up some more steep steps to visit Turret Arch. Pass through this arch to steps leading down to finish the trail back to the parking lot.  

Double Arch

On the other side of the road you will see Double Arch in the distance. There is actually another parking lot down closer to it. After the .5 mile hike, to this arch and back, we were glad we moved our car to this lot. Short hike, but it was in the 90s in July without shade. 

This is another one that you will want to hike out to in order to see it clearly. The double arches are much more visible when you get closer and are  looking up at it. Again, check out the size of the people to realize the massive scale. The larger arch is actually the tallest arch in the park at 112’. 

Lunch Outside of Park

At this point we had completed quite a few hikes and decided to break for lunch. We headed back to Moab, since there are no restaurants in Arches National Park. We enjoyed a nice lunch at Sweet Cravings Bakery. 

Landscape Arch

At 306 feet, Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the park. It’s a ribbon arch and only about 11 feet thick in the center. We missed this one, so it might be the 1st one I do going back. 

Hole N” The Rock

Instead, while we were out for lunch, we visited, the extremely unique, roadside attraction-Hole N” The Rock, near Moab. There is a 5000 sf home carved in the rock, that took 12 years. The creator, Albert Christensen, only lived in his rock dwelling for 5 years before he passed away. Now it is open to the public for tours. You can purchase a ticket in the gift shop, also carved in the rock. The complex/roadside attraction has a store, zoo and lots of quirky items to discover.

Mill Creek Canyon

We also chased a waterfall for miles at Mill Creek Canyon Trailhead. Cathy and I chased it to the end. The guys weren’t intrigued enough and waited for us at the 1st river crossing. Cathy was walking on sand barefoot for one stretch and thinking it was going to be worth the payoff. We hiked a lot further than everyone on the trail and parking lot kept saying it would be. Once we reached the small waterfall, she said I thought it was supposed to be a 200 foot waterfall! Haha no a 30 foot waterfall, but this is only about half that!! We won’t forget this misleading adventure anytime soon!

Overlooks Arches National Park

If you aren’t into hiking, there are several overlooks/viewpoints that you can drive through the park and stop at. La Sal Mountains Viewpoint, Petrified Dunes Viewpoint,  Garden of Eden, Panorama Point, Salt Valley Overlook, and Fiery Furnace Viewpoints are listed on Visitor Guide map. Fiery Furnace is also listed as a difficult rated hike that requires a permit and a Ranger guided tour. 

Hikes Arches National Park 

Some additional easy hiking options to round out your full day at Arches NP are Sand Dune Arch .3 miles round-trip, Skyline arch .4 mi. RT, and Broken Arch 1.3 mi RT. 

Combine Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers for a 2 mi. RT moderate hike. 

Or if you still have lots of time and energy, try some difficult hikes like Tower Arch 2.6 mi. RT, Double O Arch 4.2 mi RT and Devils Garden at 7.9 miles RT. This one is longer because it actually includes Landscape Arch, Double O Arch and the primitive trail. 

Star Gazing at Arches

Arches National Park is an International Dark Sky Park. There are several viewpoints like Panorama Point or The Windows Section that are great for stargazing. After an awesome dinner at Zax in Moab, we came back to the park and were able to take in the starry night skies, along with a parking lot full of other stargazers, at Balanced Rock. It was incredible. 

I hope you will be able to enjoy Arches National Park and soon! Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite arch, hike, etc if you have visited here. 

This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.