Moab is home to over 2,000 natural arches, but if you’re trying to hit the very top arches in Moab, there are three that rise above the rest: Delicate Arch, Corona Arch, and Mesa Arch. Each one delivers a totally different experience—one’s the Utah superstar, one’s a hidden gem outside the park, and one’s the sunrise favorite. Here’s why these three are the top arches in Moab.
If you’re planning out your Moab adventures, you may also want to check out my guide to the Top 5 Epic Views Around Moab for even more must-see red rock scenery.
Trail Length: 3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Strenuous (steep, exposed rock)
Elevation Gain: About 500 ft
Estimated Time: 2–3 hours
Best Time: Sunset
Delicate Arch is the arch—the one on Utah’s license plate and practically the state mascot. The hike to get there is no joke. It’s uphill most of the way, across slickrock with no shade, and the sun loves to remind you who’s boss. But when you finally round that last corner and see Delicate Arch standing tall on the edge of a bowl-shaped cliff, it’s pure magic.
I did this at sunset, and while my legs weren’t thrilled with the climb, the view was worth it. My friend warned me that it can get insanely crowded (50+ people sometimes), but I lucked out with a smaller crowd. If you want photos, get there an hour before sunset—you’ll thank me later.
Shortcut option: Not up for the climb? The Delicate Arch Viewpoints (Lower and Upper) offer solid views without the full hike. If you love exploring Moab’s iconic landmarks, check out my Stops to Make in Arches National Park if You Can’t Hike for easy-access viewpoints and arches you can enjoy without the steep climb.
Trail Length: 3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate (rock, ladders, chains)
Elevation Gain: About 450 ft
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Best Time: Late afternoon
Corona Arch sits just outside of Arches National Park, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite hikes in Moab. The trail starts with a short climb and crosses railroad tracks before winding up slickrock marked with cairns and blue paint spots. It’s more adventurous than Delicate Arch—there’s a short ladder section and a chain to help you up one slope, but nothing unmanageable if you’re comfortable with a little scrambling.
Along the way, you’ll pass Bowtie Arch, a giant pothole arch in the rock face, before reaching Corona itself. And what a finale: the arch is massive (140 ft tall, 105 ft wide), and unlike Delicate, you can walk right under it. I hiked it around 5 pm, and the best part? We had the place to ourselves.
This hike feels like Moab’s best-kept secret, though locals will tell you it’s not really a secret anymore. Still, compared to Delicate Arch crowds, it’s blissfully quiet.
Trail Length: 0.7 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: About 100 ft
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Best Time: Sunrise
Mesa Arch isn’t in Arches—it’s in Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky district. But it’s close enough to Moab that it deserves a spot on this list. The short, easy hike leads you to an arch perched right on the rim of a canyon, with sweeping views through its frame.
At sunrise, the underside of the arch glows fiery orange as the sun rises over the La Sal Mountains. It’s easily one of the most famous photo ops in Utah. When I went, it was rainy and gray, so no fiery glow—but honestly, the moody clouds made it dramatic in a different way. Pro tip: don’t just stop at the arch. Keep walking past it and look back for a grander, less crowded perspective.
Moab is full of arches, but if you only see three, make them these: Delicate Arch for the icon, Corona Arch for the adventure, and Mesa Arch for the sunrise magic. Between the three, you’ll get the full range of what makes Moab so unforgettable—sweaty climbs, quiet moments, and canyon views you’ll never forget. If you’re building out a full itinerary, you’ll love my Spend a Week in Moab: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary, which ties all the major arches, viewpoints, and parks into one seamless trip.
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
I walked into Goo Goo Cluster in downtown Gatlinburg thinking I’d spend five minutes and leave with a small piece of candy. I was wrong on both counts. 😅
You build your own chocolate cluster at a kiosk: caramel, sea salt, pretzels, cocoa pebbles, you name it, and then watch them make it right in front of you. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and costs $15.
The caveat? This is not a snack. This is a full-size brick of chocolate that I was still eating two days later.
If you’re already walking the Gatlinburg strip, this is an easy yes. Especially if you have absolutely no self-control around caramel. (Asking for a friend.) Full experience breakdown linked in bio. 🔗
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
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