Top 3 Arches in Moab You Can’t Miss
Moab is home to over 2,000 natural arches, but if you’re trying to hit the very best, 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.
1. Delicate Arch
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.
2. Corona Arch
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.
3. Mesa Arch
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.
Final Thoughts
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.
