Delicate Arch in 3D

Arches · the slickrock bowl at sunset

Arches National Park, Utah, USA

Delicate Arch is a freestanding arch of Entrada Sandstone about 16 m high, on the rim of a bowl scoured into bare slickrock. Water seeps into cracks, freezes and dissolves the cement between sand grains, wearing fins thinner until they hole through; the park has more than 2,000 catalogued arches. This walk is at sunset.

Where: Arches National Park, Utah, USA
Height: About 16 m
Opening: About 10 m wide
Rock: Entrada Sandstone

Official site

Walk Delicate Arch in 3D

A real-time 3D model, built from open elevation data and published measurements. Loads 2.3 MB when you start.

Works in VR on Meta Quest and other WebXR headsets: open this page in the headset's browser, start the 3D walk, then choose View in VR.

Walk it yourself. Works on this phone.

Part of the American Parks II pack: a one-time unlock in this browser.

Terrain from open elevation data · a 3D reconstruction, not a photograph · tags as in the app

Hear the guide

The narrator from the app reads each tour stop. Transcripts below.

Delicate Arch
Known0:12

A freestanding arch of Entrada Sandstone about 16 m high, with an opening some 10 m wide. Its picture is on Utah's licence plates.
How arches form
Known0:14

Water seeps into cracks, freezes and dissolves the cement between sand grains, wearing narrow fins thinner until they hole through. The park has more than 2,000 catalogued arches.
The slickrock bowl
Known0:11

The arch stands on the rim of a bowl scoured into bare sandstone. Its legs rest on a softer layer that is wearing away faster than the arch above.

How to visit Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch is reached by a steep, unshaded trail across open slickrock, a few hours there and back. Carry water, and check the park's entry rules before you go.

Opening times and tickets change: check the official site. Official site

Open Delicate Arch in Farstep

The full site on your phone: a narrated guided tour, passport stamps, offline, and smoother graphics than a browser can give.

Narrated guided tour, stop by stop, in nine languages
Passport stamps for every hotspot and finished tour
Works offline once installed
Stonehenge free; other sites are one-time packs. No ads, no subscription.

Open in Farstep

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On iPhone the button opens the App Store.

Delicate Arch: questions and answers

How tall is Delicate Arch?

About 16 m, with an opening about 10 m wide.

How long is the hike to Delicate Arch?

A few hours there and back on a steep, unshaded trail across slickrock. Carry water.

Can I walk around Delicate Arch in 3D?

Yes, in your browser. Everything on this page is free to read. Walking Delicate Arch in 3D is part of the American Parks II pack: a one-time purchase with no subscription, and signing in with the same account unlocks it in the Farstep app too.

Can I walk Delicate Arch in VR?

Yes, on a Meta Quest or another WebXR headset: open this page in the headset's browser, start the 3D walk, then choose View in VR. The left stick walks, the right stick turns and the trigger opens the fact cards.