7 Gorgeous Sunset Spots in Arches National Park

Looking for the perfect spot to watch an Arches National Park sunset? As the day comes to an end, the landscape of Moab, Utah, transforms into a breathtaking canvas of colors, making watching the sunset one of the top things to do in this park. And while Delicate Arch draws the biggest crowds, we’ve discovered 6 more stunning spots from which you can enjoy this end-of-day color show!

🏆 7 Best Arches National Park Sunsets: At a Glance

👩‍👩‍👧‍👧 Most Popular: Delicate Arch draws the biggest crowds.
👀 360-Degree Views: Panorama Point offers wide-open views.
💚 Our Favorite: Tower Arch balances amazing views with smaller crowds.
⏰ Best Before Sunset: Double Arch is at its best 90 minutes before sunset.
☮️ Most Peaceful: Balanced Rock is super peaceful and private.
🪟 Most Arches: The Windows Loop will take you past 3 iconic arches.
🏕️ Closest to Campground: Tapestry Arch is just a short walk from the Devils Garden Campground.

1. Tower Arch

Tower Arch is hands-down our #1 favorite spot to watch the sunset in Arches National Park! This stunning arch frames the western landscape of Moab, Utah, creating a highly photogenic backdrop as the sun dips below the horizon.

Accessible via a dirt road, it offers a more secluded experience, as tour buses and visitors who prefer paved routes aren’t venturing down it. The arch itself is also incredibly picturesque, making the journey well worth the effort.

Crowds: Low
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (2.5 miles, 4 km)
Parking: ~10 spaces

2. Panorama Point

The other great thing about Panorama Point is that, due to its almost 360-degree views, you have the choice to either watch the sunset lighting up the rocks or the sunset over the horizon, whichever is your jam. You also have a few picnic tables where you can enjoy dinner.

Crowds: Medium
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Viewpoint
Hike Difficulty: N/A
Parking: ~20 spaces

3. Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is undeniably the #1 most popular location to watch the sunset as well as the sunrise in Arches, so prepare to be surrounded by a solid crowd. After all, this is the most photographed arch in the world, and its impressive size combined with the stunning backdrop of the La Sal Mountains makes it clear why.

For that iconic golden glow, aim to arrive at least an hour before the official sunset time, as the sun dips behind the western cliffs slightly earlier. Once the sun sets, start heading back so you have enough light to follow the 45-minute walk back, although headlamps are an alternative solution.

Crowds: High
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (3.1 miles, 5.1 km)
Parking: ~100 spaces

4. Balanced Rock

We loved our sunset experience at Balanced Rock due to how peaceful and private it was—we encountered only four other people on the trail! This iconic formation is incredibly accessible, with the trail starting directly from the parking lot. Overall, Balanced Rock is the perfect quick stop if you’re heading out of the park, are looking for a crowd-free sunset, or are nearby at Panorama Point.

Crowds: Low
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Short hike
Hike Difficulty: Easy (0.3 miles, 0.5 km)
Parking: ~10 spaces

5. The Windows

The Windows is probably one of the most popular places for sunset in Arches National Park, after Delicate Arch, so expect some company here too. This area offers incredible bang for your buck as it features three distinct arches—North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch—along one, single, relatively short loop.

The hike is long enough to get you away from the road, yet short enough that you don’t have to worry about hiking back in complete darkness. If time allows, we recommend visiting Double Arch first, then making your way to The Windows for the main sunset show. If you only have time for one, you can stick to The Windows.

Crowds: Low
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Parking: ~10 spaces

6. Double Arch

As we mentioned, we highly recommend combining Double Arch with The Windows, as they share the same parking lot. For the best light on Double Arch itself, aim to arrive approximately 90 minutes before official sunset. This conveniently gives you just the right amount of time to enjoy Double Arch’s prime viewing time before heading to The Windows for the actual sunset.

While the last stretch of the hike up to Double Arch is the most challenging section, it rewards you with an incredible panoramic view of the entirety of Arches National Park. That being said, this last section is optional, so you can still enjoy amazing views without going all the way up to the arch itself.

Crowds: Medium
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Hike
Hike Difficulty: Moderate (0.6 miles, 1 km)
Parking: ~50 spaces

7. Tapestry Arch

While we explored Tapestry Arch at sunrise, we think it would make a much better sunset spot. This less-trafficked hike means you’re likely to have its beauty all to yourself, a rare luxury in Arches. As the sun dips, its light directly illuminates the arch and the backdrop of rock formations.

While we wouldn’t place this sunset spot as #1 in the park, if you have multiple days in the park, Tapestry Arch makes an excellent second or third choice for sunset, especially given its proximity to the Arches Campground.

Crowds: Low
Photogenic: High
Hike or Viewpoint: Hike
Hike Difficulty: Easy (0.7 miles, 1.1 km)
Parking: ~10 spaces

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🗺️ Map of Sunset Spots in Arches National Park

How to use this map: We have saved the locations from this guide on this map. You can save this map to your Google Maps by pressing the star icon. In your Google Maps, click the menu icon and then Saved Maps, where this map will appear.

⏰ When to Arrive for the Sunset in Arches National Park

To ensure you’re perfectly positioned for sunset, plan to be at your chosen viewpoint at least 30 minutes before the official sunset time. You can look up the exact sunset time on any given day with a quick Google search. Remember to factor in your hiking time for trails, and allow extra time for parking at popular spots, especially on weekends. Any locations requiring an earlier arrival for optimal light are mentioned in their descriptions.

ℹ️ 5 Tips for Watching the Sunset at Arches National Park

1. Bring a headlight. It’s important to have a headlight when walking in the dark to keep your hands free, allowing you to see any rocks or sandy areas. A handheld flashlight will do as well.
2. Wear good footwear. We recommend wearing shoes with grippy soles (hiking boots or trail runners). If it’s during the winter and there is snow and ice, we recommend wearing ice spikes for safety on the trails.
3. Time it right. Whether a hike or overlook, time your start early enough so that you plan on arriving to your ideal sunset-watching spot at least 30 minutes before the actual sunrise.
4. Bring plenty of water. Just because it’s sunset doesn’t mean you should go without bringing water in the desert. We always carry a water bladder or a water bottle on every hike.
5. Dress in layers. Evenings in the desert can be chilly, even in the warmer months. It’s important to dress in layers so you can stay comfortable when the temperatures change as the sun sets.

⭐ Stay After Dark to Stargaze in Arches

Arches National Park is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making watching the cosmos another popular activity. For optimal stargazing, plan to wait at least 90 minutes after official sunset for the sky to reach true darkness and for the stars to fully emerge. This transition period is perfect for grabbing dinner outside the park or enjoying a packed meal.

Here are 3 spots we recommend for stargazing in Arches National Park:

1. Panorama Point: For wide-open night sky views, head to Panorama Point. Its high elevation and distance from the park entrance ensure truly dark skies and uninterrupted vistas, free from major formations. Bonus points for its ample parking and restrooms.
   
2. Broken Arch: Broken Arch is our top recommendation for night photography in particular, as its layout allows your shots to include the arch, vast night sky, and even the majestic La Sal Mountains all in one.
   
3. The Windows: The Windows area offers a fantastic concentration of arches for night photography, with access to the 3 main arches of The Windows Loop as well as Double Arch nearby. However, the area’s popularity could lead to light pollution from car headlights, impacting long-exposure shots.

📰 Related Articles

• 11 Most Epic Sunrise Spots in Arches National Park
• More Coming Soon!

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