Do not leave Arches National Park without seeing Delicate Arch. The emblematic arch appears on the Utah License plate, and while it is certainly not the largest in the park, it is probably the most memorable. Two overlooks provide a distant view of the arch, but the best way to see Delicate Arch is to hike right up to it. This incredible 3-mile trek is a must-do for anyone visiting Arches.

Begin from Delicate Arch Trailhead and head east past Wolfe Ranch, the former home of the park’s earliest Caucasian inhabitants. The homestead was built alongside Salt Marsh, which the trail crosses with the help of a wooden bridge. Not long after, a side trail to the left visits petroglyphs along a rock wall.

Looking back on the trail as it starts up the slickrock

The trail takes a gradual climb up slickrock slopes, eventually ascending 480 feet to the arch. The wide gravel trail is reduced to a weathered line across exposed sandstone. Follow the cairn-lined track across bare rock as it turns northward, leveling some before swinging to the right around the back of a sandstone fin. A path cut into the ledge presents the only way forward.

The building anticipation can make the mile and a half journey to Delicate Arch feel long, but as you traverse the ledge, the trail curves to the right and Delicate Arch appears. Wow, what a sight!

Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch stands on the side of a bowl shaped depression, flying solo above the surrounding rock. There is something special about this place that is hard to describe. If you arrive around sunrise or sunset, the spiritual beauty will be undeniable.

Delicate Arch is only about fifty feet tall, and stands in an area where the surrounding stone has been removed. Somehow, this stubborn span perseveres, looking both breathtaking and perilous. The arch appears frail, but defiant. The creation and steadfastness of Delicate Arch seem improbably, but thank god it’s there. The vast colorful landscape behind the arch sets the backdrop for one of the most striking views in any national park.

Delicate Arch

Have a seat along the sandstone amphitheater and watch the light play off Delicate Arch. When you are ready to head back, probably after the sun has gone down, return the way you came. This awe-inspiring sight will stick with you. Delicate Arch is incredible.

Delicate Arch

To get to the trailhead: From the visitor center, drive 12.3 miles up Park Avenue and turn right. Continue an additional 1.2 miles and turn left into the parking area for Delicate Arch Trail.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

                                       

These photos were taken in June of 2010. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Landscape Arch This level 2.5-mile hike visits the longest natural arch in the world along with two other enjoyable arches.
	Skyline Arch This short 0.4-mile hike ends below a wide arch near the top of a sandstone fin.
	Balanced Rock This quarter mile loop circles a perilous block of sandstone balancing near the center of Arches National Park.
	More trails in Utah Explore other hikes in Arches National Park and elsewhere.

 

Similar Trails

 

	Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park This half-mile loop visits a picturesque arch spanning across the mesa’s edge in the Island in the Sky.
	Morning Glory Bridge in Moab This 6-mile round trip hike travels through a scenic canyon to a 243-foot long natural bridge.
	Arch Rock in Joshua Tree This 0.3-mile loop visits a natural arch in the granite formations around White Tank Campground.

 

More Info

 

Delicate Arch in HIKING CANYONLANDS AND ARCHES NATIONAL PARKS by Bill Schneider

Arches National Park on Utah.com

Delicate Arch on wikipedia.org

Delicate Arch on protrails.com

Delicate Arch on nileguide.com

Delicate Arch on takemytrip.com

Delicate Arch on localhikes.com

Delicate Arch on outsideadventureguide.com

Delicate Arch on twoknobbytires.com

The official website for Arches National Park

 

Visitors driving though Mojave National Preserve between Baker and Kelso Depot may wish to stop near Seventeen Mile Point for a quick walk to simple petroglyphs drawn into the volcanic rock outcroppings along the road. While certainly not the only petroglyphs in the preserve, these might be the easiest to get to.

A petroglyph engraved into the rock

On Kelbaker Road, 13.4 miles from the 15 freeway in Baker and 21.1 miles from the Kelso Depot, there is a small turnoff on the east side of the road. Park here and take the footpath up a short slope to the northern side of an elevated strip of dark volcanic rock. The path continues beneath the 15-foot tall rock shelf past thousand-year-old Indian drawings. Look carefully for the simple designs drawn into the dark rock. The engravings disappear after a short distance. Either return back along the rocks or drop down to the wash below to return to the trailhead for a 0.25-mile round trip hike.

Looking west over Kelbaker Road

To get to the trailhead: The unmarked turnout is located on the western edge of the cinder fields, 1/3 of a mile north of a larger wash (that is used for roadside camping) in a bend in Kelbaker Road refereed to as Seventeen Mile Point. The path is visible to traffic heading toward Kelso Depot from Baker, but is hard to spot in the opposite direction.

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

       

These photos were taken in May of 2010. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Lava Tube This short 0.6-mile hike drops below the surface into an old lava tube.
	Kelso Dunes This 3-mile round trip hike climbs 470 feet to the highest point in this 45 square mile dune field.
	Teutonia Peak The 4-mile round trip hike crosses a Joshua tree forest to summit a short peak with a great view of Cima Dome.
	New York Peak This 7 to 9-mile round trip hike summits the highest point of the New York Range in the northeast corner of the preserve.
	Hole-in-the-Wall Rings Trail This 1.5-mile loop takes visitors through a landscape of pocketed rocks. Ringbolts allow fun passage through narrow canyons.
	Silver Peak This 8.5-mile hike summits a 6.365-foot peak in the Granite Mountains.
	Fountain Peak This 5-mile off trail trek summits a peak with commanding views over the Providence Mountains.
	Amboy Crater This 3-mile round trip hike travels up and into this ‘Mojave National Preserve adjacent’ crater.
	Hikes in the California Desert Explore more trails in Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Mojave National Preserve.

 

Similar Trails

 

	Pictograph Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park This 1.8-mile hike visits rock paintings drawn by Kumeyaay Indians who lived in the Anza-Borrego Desert thousands of years ago.
	Barker Dam in Joshua Tree National Park This level 1.5-mile loop visits a foreign-looking reservoir and petroglyphs engravings within the Wonderland of Rocks.

 

Camping

 

Mojave National Preserve There are a few campgrounds and endless roadside camping within the preserve.

 

More Info

 

North Lava Bed Wash in HIKING CALIFORNIA’S DESERT PARKS by Bill and Polly Cunningham

Petroglyphs on Wikipedia

The official website for Mojave National Preserve

 

Barker Dam Loop visits a small foreign-looking reservoir within the Wonderland of Rocks in Joshua Tree National Park. Hikers of all abilities will enjoy this level 1.5-mile hike. The water can all but disappear during the dry season, so make a point to visit this trail in the winter and spring.

The well-marked loop is easy to follow and easy to hike. From the parking lot, take the trail heading northwest toward Barker Dam. There are two well-marked trails leaving from this trailhead, so be sure do not take the other trail heading northeast toward Wall Street Mill. Tall mounds of boulders rise on either side, and then suddenly, the trail emerges along the shore of a small blue lake. The stagnant waters look out of place in this desert landscape, but the site is quite calm and worthy of a quick break.

The reservoir above Barker Dam

Turn left and follow the shoreline toward the dam itself. Barker Dam was build over a century ago by ranchers eager to save up some of the desert’s most vital resource, water. The trail turns west, leaving the lake and entering a flat piece of desert that is home to several tall Joshua trees. Follow the sandy track as it loops back toward the start. A marked turnoff visits a rock covered in vivid petroglyphs. These Native America drawings had their colors enhanced by a film crew working on an old Hollywood movie, which explains why they look too colorful to be real. Beyond the petroglyphs, continue along the trail. When it comes to a T, make a right to return to the parking lot. There is only 100 feet of elevation gain along this 1.5-mile long nature loop, making it a suitable excursion for anyone visiting Joshua Tree National Park.

Mojave Mound Cactus blooming along the trail

To get to the trailhead: The turnoff for Barker Dam is located on Park Boulevard 12 miles west of the intersection with Pinto Basin Road (in the heart of Joshua Tree National Park near many other park attractions). From the well-marked turnoff, drive north for 1.5 miles to the large parking area for Barker Dam. This trailhead is located near the west end of an unpaved road that crosses through Joshua Tree from Desert Queen Mine (a fun drive for anyone not adverse to getting their vehicle a little dusty).

Use the map below to create your own directions:

Photos

 

                                 

These photos were taken in April of 2010. Click to enlarge.

 

Nearby Trails

 

	Wall Street Mill This level 1.55 to 2.15-mile hike visits a well-reserved gold mill, exploring the mining history of Joshua Tree National Park.
	Wonderland Wash This level 2.1-mile hike travels past the ruins of Wonderland Ranch up a use trail into the Wonderland of Rocks.
	Hidden Valley This one mile loop circles the interior of a small valley surrounded by tall rocks that serves as an excellent bouldering arena.
	Desert Queen Mine This 1.6-mile hike follows a level trail to an overlook before crossing a canyon to visits the ruins of one the most profitable gold mines in the California desert.
	Ryan Mountain This 3-mile round-trip hike offers summit views from the center of Joshua Tree National Park.
	Lucky Boy Vista This level 2.5-mile hike visits a modest overlook at the site of an old mine.
	Arch Rock This 0.3-mile loop visits a natural arch in the granite formations around White Tank Campground.
	Inspiration Peak This 1.2-mile hike leaves the crowds at Keys View for even grander views at a 5,550-foot summit that looks out on the Coachella Valley, the Salton Sea, Mount San Jacinto, and much of Joshua Tree National Park.
	Lost Horse Mine This 4-mile round-trip trail visits a well-preserved mine and mill.
	Fortynine Palms Oasis The 3-mile round trip hike visits a cool desert oasis.
	Indian Cove The 101-site campground is home to a 0.6-mile interpretive trail and endless bouldering and rock climbing opportunities.
	Lost Palms Oasis This 7.2-mile hike visits a desert oasis nestled between mountains in the southeast corner of the park.
	Mastodon Peak This 2.6-mile loop visits a 3,400-foot summit with panoramic views of southeastern Joshua Tree.
	Cholla Cactus Garden This quarter-mile loop allows visitors to stroll through an intense concentration of Cholla cacti.
	Warren Peak This 5.5-mile hike summits a peak with impressive views over the west side of Joshua Tree.
	Hikes in the California Desert Explore more trails in Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and Mojave National Preserve.

 

Camping

 

Joshua Tree Campgrounds There are nine campgrounds with 500 total sites spread throughout the park to facilitate your visit.

 

Wildflowers

 

Joshua Tree Wildflowers The desert in bloom is something any outdoor enthusiast in California should see.

 

More Info

 

NPS trail bruchure for Barker Dam

Barker Dam on Wikipedia.org

Barker Dam on modernhiker.com

Barker Dam on summitpost.org

Barker Dam on localhikes.com

Barker Dam in HIKING CALIFORNIA’S DESERT PARKS by Bill and Polly Cunningham

The official website for Joshua Tree National Park