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.
Flying out of Frankfurt at the crack of dawn? Stay at the airport, not in the city!
The Hilton Frankfurt Airport is connected to Terminal 1 and the long-distance train station, so the walk to your gate takes a few minutes and no taxi. The rooms are soundproofed so well you barely hear the planes, some have runway views, there’s a sauna, and the bread and butter at Rise are dangerously good. It costs more than hotels farther out. On a budget, the Hilton Garden Inn next door gets you the same walk for less.
Save this for your next Frankfurt layover ✈️
No landmarks, no crowds, no souvenir shops. Otterberg is the everyday side of Germany 🇩🇪
It’s a small town just outside Kaiserslautern. Lunch at Putai inside the historic Das Blaue Haus means crispy chicken in coconut curry and spring rolls with homemade sweet chili sauce, then a slow walk past the old church and quiet streets. The Palatinate Forest and Humberg Tower views are close by. If you want a packed itinerary this isn’t your town, but if you like good food and nowhere to be, you’ll love it.
Save this for your Germany road trip!
Every 6 minutes a new round unlocks, and you can eat your way around the world for two hours. 🌍🍽️
Masons in Kaiserslautern: Korean BBQ, Jamaican jerk chicken, raclette potatoes, crispy baked ricotta from Monaco, and the Belgian cookie cheesecake you’ll still be talking about the next day. €39-45 per person. Bring a group and pace yourself, because they charge for leftovers.
Save this for your next trip to Germany
Sedona got me again 🌵
This was my second trip, and somehow I liked it even more. Every visit adds another trail, viewpoint, or restaurant to the list, and the list keeps getting longer. This time I stayed near Airport Mesa, with sunsets right outside my door and none of the crowds.
My Substack has everything I’d tell a first-time visitor: the lodge I’ve now stayed at twice, the experiences I’d do first, and the restaurants I’d plan my days around.
Subscribe for free so you don’t miss the next one. Link in bio ✨
YES is always the answer... ✈️
I’m Wendy, and yes, I travel for a living (still pinching myself). After 15 years teaching middle school math, I traded the whiteboard for a passport and never looked back. Knoxville is home base, but Arizona sunsets are on another level, and if it’s been sitting on your list, this is your sign to finally say yes and book it. City guides, hotel reviews, and foodie spots are all on the blog. So glad you’re here 🌵☀️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
