Corona Arch is a beautiful arch accessed by a popular hiking trail near Moab, Utah. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know about this hike.
Corona Arch is located on Potash Road, about 20 minutes away from Moab, Utah.
The Corona Arch hike is 2.4 miles out and back, and with only 482 feet of elevation gain, it’s relatively flat.
I would grade this as easy to moderate — the only challenge is the small chain section and the ladder, which I discuss below.
The parking lot isn’t large, considering how popular this hike has become. It’s very possible the parking lot will be full if you visit during the busy season.
We visited in the early morning during the off-season and basically had this delightful hike all to ourselves.
Notice the trail quickly gains elevation, but then flattens out again right away.
Also, note that there is a restroom at the trailhead.
This trail is NOT part of either of the national parks in Moab: Arches or Canyonlands. It is administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
Since they do not charge a fee for the hike, they have a login book to help track how many people are doing the hike.
You’ll encounter some railroad tracks shortly after the log book. We thought this was a pretty cool man-made canyon. It would be a scenic train ride through this area, though I’m sure only freight trains come through here.
While not “accessible,” the trail is mostly flat, well-marked, and easy to hike. There are a few sections with uneven terrain, however.
Hiking along slickrock is a different experience because often there is no way to “make” a trail. Typically the National Park Service will mark its slickrock trails with rock cairns.
I found it interesting that the BLM marks its trails with paint on the ground, as seen here.
After rounding the wall you can see Corona in the distance. But due to the wall behind it, you might not notice it at first.
The following section might be challenging for some people who don’t have good mobility. But the great thing about this trail is that you can still see Corona Arch from here.
So even if you can’t manage the chain and ladder section, this is still a great hike.
Up next is the easy and fun chain and ladder section. Trust me, this sounds more daunting than it really is.
The climb to the top has some indents in the Slickrock for your feet, and a chain to hold on to while walking.
The climb is only about 20 feet high.
After the climb is a very short ladder to scale the wall. It’s also possible to scramble around the rock and not use the ladder.
After the chain and ladder, you’ll encounter one of the pleasant surprises on this trail: Bowtie Arch. This beautiful arch is located in the canyon wall and reminds me of the Pantheon in Rome.
Finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for! During the busy season, this area will be filled with people, especially at sunset.
Corona Arch was a wonderful morning hike for us. It’s one of those trails where you get beauty along the way and a nice payoff at the end. What’s not to like? Except maybe the crowds in the summer.
Most travelers want to visit the most popular sites and still avoid crowds. We have a detailed itinerary for Moab, Arches, and Canyonlands. It will give you a step-by-step game plan so you can get to the best places at the right times.
ARCHES & CANYONLANDS TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park, check out our Arches Homepage and our Canyonlands Homepage
ARCHES: Don’t miss all that Arches has to offer including hiking to Delicate Arch, and visiting Devil’s Garden, Fiery Furnace, & the Windows
CANYONLANDS: Visit the different areas of Canyonlands with our easy guide including the Island in the Sky District, the Needles District, and Horseshoe Canyon. Check out some amazing viewpoints, as well as, Mesa Arch, ancient ruins, and Native American rock art
MOAB: Explore the adventurous Moab area including Corona Arch, Gemini Bridges, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Consider taking a jeep ride, a horseback ride, rafting down the Colorado River, or taking a scenic drive and exploring Potash Road
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Moab, Arches, & Canyonlands
WHERE TO STAY: Learn all about where to stay when visiting Moab, Arches, & Canyonlands
WATCH: Enjoy videos of gorgeous Arches National Park & Canyonlands National Park while learning our best tips for visiting by watching our Moab, Arches, & Canyonlands YouTube Playlist
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
Receive weekly newsletters updating you on the Best of the West including: essential travel tips, park updates, stories, and our favorite things to see and do.
