Hike early, hike often! What better way to start a hiking trip than experiencing the sunrise while on the trail. If you’ve got the ambition to set your alarm, get dressed while it’s still dark outside, and venture into the park in the wee hours, then you’ll give yourself a front seat to nature’s beauty.
There are many different spots that offer a unique experience for sunrise at Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Here are my top 5 picks for sunrise and recommendations for hikers on these trails.
Top 5 Sunrise Hikes in Arches Overview
| Trail | Distance | Approximate Time | Best For |
| Devils Garden | 8 miles | 3-4 hours | Serious hikers wanting an adventure |
| Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers | 1.8 miles | 1-1.5 hours | Those wanting a short hike with towering rock views |
| Windows Loop and Turret Arch | 1 mile | 30 mins – 1 hour | 360 epic views |
| Double Arch | 0.6 mile | 30 mins – 1 hour | Few steps, huge reward |
| Delicate Arch | 3 miles | 2 hours | Iconic views, big bang for your buck |
Read more about each trail, their unique arches and red rock formations, and how to prepare for your visit in the sections below.
When Should I Get There for Sunrise?
Keep in mind, Arches requires timed entry tickets from April 1 through October 31. If you’re booking your trip during that time, you’ll want to pick the earliest arrival time possible so you can make sure you’re in the park and on the trail for sunrise. Try to plan on getting there about 20-30 minutes earlier than when sunrise actually begins so you have the full, awe-inspiring experience.
Check out this website by Discover Moab for sunrise and sunset times as well as the moon phases for each month of the year. If you’re not an early riser, sunset is a fantastic option for beautiful views as well.
1. Devils Garden
The longest, most challenging maintained hike in the park, Devils Garden is full of interesting red rock formations like arches and fins. Quickly after starting the trail, you come to Tunnel Arch, followed by Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, and Partition Arch. There are a total of 8 impressive arches on this approximately 8 mile round trip trail.
Watch the sunrise over the rock fins or take a seat at Partition Arch and soak in the morning glow. This is an excellent way to start your day with a more demanding adventure hike that is full of challenges and views.
2. Park Avenue and Courthouse Towers
One of the first trails after passing the visitor center is Park Avenue and the Courthouse Towers. Here, you can watch the sunrise behind massive monoliths and towering rock walls. During early morning hours, the sun will cast light on some of the notable rock formations like Queen Nefertiti, Three Gossips, and Sheep Rock.
If you’d prefer to drink your coffee and soak in the sunrise before hiking, you can also walk a short ways out from the parking lot to the viewing deck and just stay here for an impressive view. Park Avenue is about 1.8 miles out-and-back, but you can arrange to get picked up if you have a ride at the Courthouse Towers viewpoint instead.
3. Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail
The Windows Section contains the largest concentration of arches in the smallest amount of area within the park. Several sections of this area are highly accessible and not demanding on hikers, making it a good choice for all ages and abilities.
From the parking lot, you’ll be able to see the huge North Window arch and if you follow the 1 mile loop trail, you’ll also experience the South Window and Turret Arch. Turret Arch is very different in appearance than other arches in the park, so it’ll be hard to miss! You can return the same way or go back along the longer primitive loop.
4. Double Arch Sunrise
Also in the Windows Section of the park is Double Arch Trail. As one of the most popular trails in the park (rightfully so), you’ll likely be sharing the trail with other hikers. However, if you choose to hike it for sunrise, you’ll be surrounded by far fewer people, and potentially, have Double Arch all to yourself!
It’s a 0.6 mile round trip hike that takes about a half hour. There is a gently sloping trail that leads you to the base of the arch and you can climb up as far as you want. Keep in mind, climbing up is oftentimes easier than going back down! However the payoff in views is well worth the climb. From Double Arch, you can see the Cove of Caves, Ribbon Arch, Garden of Eden, and Parade of Elephants.
5. Delicate Arch Sunrise Hike
You can’t pass up a chance to hike to Delicate Arch if you’re traveling to Arches National Park. This iconic rock formation (a landmark featured on Utah’s state license plate) is beyond picturesque in the dawn hours and during sunset, too.
Sunrise at Delicate Arch is a fantastic choice and will be a hard experience to top. This trail is about 3 miles round trip and begins relatively flat. The incline begins as you climb up a giant boulder, then along a narrow rock cliff and eventually around to see the bowl formation with Delicate Arch standing on the edge.
Things to Keep in Mind When Hiking Delicate Arch:
- Don’t hike this if it’s recently rained as the rocks can be slick and there are sections of narrow, sloped edges.
- Sunrise is a great time with fewer people on the trail. If hiking during peak hours, expect to wait your turn in line for a solo picture under the arch.
- Expect this trail to take about 1-2 hours.
You can’t go wrong with sunrise at any location within Arches National Park. In addition to these and other hiking trails, there are plenty of pull off viewpoints along the main road where you can park and catch sunrise from the comfort of your car. Don’t overlook those spots as many provide a beautiful view of the red rocks with the La Sal Mountains in the background.
