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.
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.
