Arches National Park is packed with over 2,000 arches, but if you only have a limited amount of time, there are a handful that you absolutely can’t miss. These are the top 5 stops in Arches National Park—the ones that give you the best mix of easy access, iconic views, and unforgettable hikes. If you’re planning your Arches adventure, you might also love my guide to the Best Sunrise and Sunset Spots in Moab Utah to help you time each stop perfectly.
Trail Length: 3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous (steep slickrock, uneven terrain, no shade)
Elevation Gain: About 500 ft
Estimated Time: 2–3 hours
Best Time: Sunset
Delicate Arch is the arch—the one on Utah’s license plates and postcards. The hike to get there isn’t easy. It’s uphill most of the way, over wide slickrock with zero shade. But when you round the final corner and see the arch perched on the edge of a cliff, it’s unforgettable.
I did this at sunset, and while the climb was sweaty and steep, the payoff was worth it. My friend told me it can be wall-to-wall people (50+ sometimes), but I lucked out with a smaller crowd. If you go, plan to arrive at least an hour before sunset so you can snag photos and then just sit back and soak in the glow.
Shortcut option: If you don’t want to tackle the full hike, check out the Delicate Arch Viewpoints (Lower and Upper) for a great angle without the climb.
Trail Length: 1.9 miles round trip (from Devils Garden trailhead)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate (sandy sections)
Elevation Gain: About 250 ft
Estimated Time: 1–1.5 hours
Best Time: Morning
Landscape Arch is the longest arch in the park at 306 feet across—and it looks impossibly thin, like it could collapse any second. Chunks have already fallen off in recent decades, so it feels like you’re witnessing a natural wonder that might not last forever.
The hike is mostly easy, though the sandy stretches slow you down. Along the way, you can make quick detours to Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch if you’ve got the energy. For even more breathtaking angles inside the park, check out my post on the Top 5 Epic Views Around Moab.
Trail Length: 0.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy (soft sand)
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Estimated Time: 15–20 minutes
Best Time: Morning (fully shaded)
Sand Dune Arch feels like a secret hideout. The trail takes you into a shady slot between sandstone fins, with soft sand underfoot and an arch tucked inside. It’s especially fun for kids, but even as an adult, I loved how it felt tucked away and different from the wide-open desert. In the morning, the whole area is shaded—a big bonus if you’re visiting in summer.
Trail Length: 0.3 miles (loop, optional)
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Best Time: Sunrise or golden hour
Balanced Rock is exactly what it sounds like: a massive boulder perched precariously on a narrow pedestal. It looks like it could topple any second (though geologically, it’s been holding on for millennia). The short loop trail lets you circle around it for different perspectives, but honestly, it’s impressive even if you just pull over and admire it from the car.
If you’re building a longer itinerary, my Spend a Weekend in Moab: The Perfect 3-Day Itinerary pairs perfectly with these stops.
Trail Length: 0.5 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Estimated Time: 20 minutes
Best Time: Anytime
Double Arch is one of my personal favorites. Two massive arches share the same base, curving into the sky in a dramatic 3D shape. The short, flat trail makes it easy to reach, and standing beneath both arches is awe-inspiring. It’s also a great spot for photos that really capture the scale of Arches National Park.
These five stops give you the best of Arches in a short amount of time. From the bucket-list hike to Delicate Arch, to the easy strolls at Double Arch and Sand Dune Arch, you’ll get a mix of effort and reward.
If you have just a day in Arches, make these your priorities—you’ll leave with photos and memories that capture exactly why this park is one of Utah’s most iconic. If you’re exploring more of the area, don’t miss my One Day in Arches National Park: The Perfect Itinerary for an easy route that includes these exact highlights.
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
Hundreds of motorcycles. Tweed suits. Tennessee roads.🏍️
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global charity event, classic and vintage bikes, dressed-up riders, raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health. The bikes are stunning. The outfits are even better.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗 | @gentlemansride
Went in for Italian. Left thinking about pasta for three days straight.🍝
Osteria Stella in Knoxville is THE date night spot, pink door, moody lighting, and a radiatori con broccoli pesto that I would genuinely go back for alone. The lasagna comes out as its own perfect slice with crispy edges all around. The focaccia with garlic confit disappeared before anyone admitted to eating it.
Make a reservation. Order the pasta. Thank me later.
Full review linked in bio. 🔗
I walked down what looked like a regular hillside entrance and came out into a room that could almost fit a football stadium. 🪨 Tuckaleechee Caverns is the highest-rated cavern in the Eastern US and until you’re standing inside it, that’s just a fact. When you’re actually there, it feels earned.
Stalagmites 24 feet tall. A 210-foot underground waterfall. Formations that took 20 to 30 million years to build. A family that still runs the whole thing.
Bring a jacket. Wear good shoes. Don’t Google how it was discovered before you go hearing it on the tour is so much better.
#townsend #visittennessee #travel #travelling #travelvlog
If you’ve only ever seen the Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge side of the Smokies, Townsend is going to feel like a completely different state. 🌲 No neon signs. No traffic. No crowds fighting for the same overlook.
🥾 Middle Prong Trail | River views, small waterfalls & fresh air the whole way. Hike as little or as much as you want.
⛰️ Tuckaleechee Caverns | Start underground with massive cave rooms, waterfalls & guided tours. Go early, beat the rush.
🍕 Peaceful Side Social | Made-from-scratch food, craft beer & mountain views. Fair warning: you’ll stay longer than planned.
🚗 Scenic Drive to Tremont | Slow down. Stop. Take it in. The drive itself is part of the experience.
Summer swap? Ditch the hike for River Rat Tubing — same vibe, more splash.
Townsend calls itself the Peaceful Side of the Smokies. After one full day there, I completely understood why. Entire itinerary linked in bio.
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