Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How crowded is Delicate Arch Trail? Arches National Park
This was a surprising experiment. We had a partial day to fill so I wanted to go to the most popular hike in one of the more popular national parks. Arches National Park is so popular now that they require timed entry permits just to get in. This wasn't in effect when we were there due to the government shutdown, but if you go, look into those permits. I'd hate to drive all the way there just to be turned around at the gate.
Anyway, the Delicate Arch trail is popular. I mean, Delicate Arch is arguably the most famous spot in all of Utah. They even put it on their license plates. So I was really surprised it wasn't that bad on a Sunday afternoon. Sure, this was during the government shut down, but ironically the last time we went the government was shut down and it was still a madhouse. So I don't know what impact, if any, that had on this trip.
Don't take this as the norm though. You're definitely going to see a lot of people no matter when you go. And you'll have to stand in line to take a picture. It's smart to avoid holiday weekends, late starts and just weekends in general. But it's worth it. The arch is huge, which is only compounded by the fact it's just standing there in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it. It's impressive and worth checking out, even for the most crowd-averse hiker like me.
A word of warning though. This isn't just a pull off overlook. It's a 3 mile hike with 600+ feet of elevation gain. A lot of the people we saw obviously hadn't expected it to be that much effort. So if you go, wear your hiking shoes, bring plenty of water and expect to get your blood pumping.
Anyway, on to the next video.
Music by Artlist:
Invention 8 in F Major - AVIVA H
The Moment We Lost - Roie Shpigler
String Quintet in E major Op 11 No 4 - Carmel Quartet
Por Que - Ilan Bar-Lavi
How crowded is Delicate Arch Trail? Arches National Park
This was a surprising experiment. We had a partial day to fill so I wanted to go to the most popular hike in one of the more popular national parks. Arches National Park is so popular now that they require timed entry permits just to get in. This wasn't in effect when we were there due to the government shutdown, but if you go, look into those permits. I'd hate to drive all the way there just to be turned around at the gate.
Anyway, the Delicate Arch trail is popular. I mean, Delicate Arch is arguably the most famous spot in all of Utah. They even put it on their license plates. So I was really surprised it wasn't that bad on a Sunday afternoon. Sure, this was during the government shut down, but ironically the last time we went the government was shut down and it was still a madhouse. So I don't know what impact, if any, that had on this trip.
Don't take this as the norm though. You're definitely going to see a lot of people no matter when you go. And you'll have to stand in line to take a picture. It's smart to avoid holiday weekends, late starts and just weekends in general. But it's worth it. The arch is huge, which is only compounded by the fact it's just standing there in the middle of nowhere with nothing around it. It's impressive and worth checking out, even for the most crowd-averse hiker like me.
A word of warning though. This isn't just a pull off overlook. It's a 3 mile hike with 600+ feet of elevation gain. A lot of the people we saw obviously hadn't expected it to be that much effort. So if you go, wear your hiking shoes, bring plenty of water and expect to get your blood pumping.
Anyway, on to the next video.
Music by Artlist:
Invention 8 in F Major - AVIVA H
The Moment We Lost - Roie Shpigler
String Quintet in E major Op 11 No 4 - Carmel Quartet
Por Que - Ilan Bar-Lavi
