(Last Updated On: December 27, 2022)
Delicate Arch Framed Photo
I photographed this photo of the Delicate Arch seen through a small arch on the hiking trail on the way back from hiking to the Delicate Arch. The Delicate Ach is in the background being framed by a different arch in the foreground.
I was at Arches National Park during August of 2021 when my family and I took a two-week road trip to 9 national parks. Out of all of the parks we visited on this trip, I’m pretty sure Arches National Park was my favorite, and the Delicate Arch was my favorite arch.
Notably, this photo was taken in the early morning just after sunrise as you can see some of the sun rays in the sky.
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Camera settings for hike to delicate arch photo:
- Camera Body: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
- Shutter Speed: 1/800 seconds
- Lens Aperature: f/9
- Focal Length: 24 mm
- ISO: 400
- Image Quality: RAW
Details of The Delicate Arch Hike with Pictures
The hike to Delicate Arch wasn’t easy, but we’ve done harder hikes before. Just the day before we did this hike, we hiked the Firery Furnace trail (where we got lost) which is considered one of the toughest trails in the park. This hike is 3 miles round trip, but it was well worth it. I couldn’t imagine visiting Arches National Park without seeing this iconic arch. Now I know why Utah has an image of the Delicate Arch on their license plates.
The picture below is of my husband and oldest daughter just starting out on the steepest part of the hike. In fact, this part was a steep rock hill that lasted probably 1/4 of a mile.
The Big Hill
The photo below shows the hill I’m talking about from way back. The picture above is from about the middle of that hill, so we were about halfway up. The rocks sticking up at the top is where the hike isn’t steep anymore, but instead, you are along a cliff’s edge.
My youngest daughter was leading the way up the steep rocky hill (photo below). She was 7 years old at the time so young children are definitely capable. It was also the middle of the summer and almost 100 degrees outside. We started hiking around 7:30 am so the temperature hadn’t reached 100 degrees yet, but it was still probably in the ’90s.
Uniquely, there were some fun stairs carved into the stone trail at the top of the hill.
After the quarter of a mile steep rock hill section of the hike, you arrive at the top where the trail winds along a rocky cliff. I always have my children stay close to the inside and never on the edge where the cliff is.
The picture below shows my youngest daughter staying on the inside edge of the trail that has a cliff on the left side.
The views on this hike are amazing! Just look at the photo below. The formations of the rock are like nothing I’ve ever seen!
At the Delicate Arch
After you get through the cliff’s edge part of the hike, the Delicate Arch is right there! It took me by surprise because I thought we had quite a bit more hiking left to get to it. On the final stretch, we had to turn a corner and right around that corner there it was! What a spectacular sight!
There was a line in order to take your photo in front of the arch, so we stood in line and got the photo of our family below! I put my camera on a tripod, set up the correct exposure, and some kind stranger pushed the shutter button for us.
Hiking Back to the Car
After we were done hanging out at the Delicate Arch is when we stopped by this small arch where you can see the Delicate Arch in the distance as shown in the first photo in this post. This is not visible from the hike itself, you have to climb up this really steep sidehill. On the way to the Delicate Arch, we saw people climbing up but we didn’t know why so on the way back I told my husband I want to see what’s up there. I am so glad we climbed up! In conclusion, it was an amazing view of the Delicate Arch through a much smaller arch.
Delicate Arch and Arches National Park Gallery
Look at the gallery below to see some more of my favorite Arches National Park photos that I have photographed. The gallery below contains the photo above as well as other related pictures. This photo is available to buy as a print or digital download.
Sunrise at Arches National Park with The Windows and Turret Arch seen in the background.
One man standing under Double Arch with his hands raised in Arches National Park
Arches National Park Delicate Arch picture with blue sky on a summer morning.
Part of the trail of the Fiery Furnace hike in Arches National Park.
Arches National Park at the Delicate Arch in Utah.
Vertical picture of the Decicate arch in Arches National Park, taken in the morning.
Arches National Park Delicate Arch photo.
Delicate arch in the distance at Arches National Park
Delicate Arch in the mornign at Arches National Park
Balanced Rock in Arches National Park on a sunny blue sky day.
Sunrise photo of Balanced Rock at Arches National Park
Comments or Questions?
If you have any comments or questions about this hike or my photography, please comment below. I would love to hear what you have to say!
I started out using 35mm point and shoot cameras, then upgraded to a 35mm DSL camera when I was in college. Finally, the world of digital DSL cameras was introduced. Gone are the days of having to wait for your film to be developed to see what you captured. From that point on, photography has been so much fun!
As a photographer, I draw inspiration from both the natural world and human experience. I strive to capture moments of raw beauty and to use photos as a testament to the power of storytelling through imagery. I am a firm believer that memories last a lifetime and are more precious than any physical thing you could own. Through my lens, I like to provoke connections between the viewer and any memories my photographs can bring back to life.
