Corona Arch is one of those places that looks fake in photos. A huge band of orange sandstone swoops across the sky, so big that people standing under it look like ants. And it’s not even inside Arches National Park.
The Corona Arch Trail near Moab is a short, fun hike on public BLM land. You cross a railroad track, climb a slickrock bench with the help of steel cables and a small ladder, pass a second arch with a hole in its roof, and end up standing under one of the largest arches in the Moab area. There’s no entrance fee and no timed-entry permit.
Below you’ll find everything you need: distance, directions, what the ladder section is really like, the best time to go, and the rules that apply to the arch.
Quick answer
- Distance: 3 miles round trip (BLM).
- Elevation gain: about 440 feet.
- Time: 1.5–2.5 hours.
- Difficulty: moderate. Mostly easy walking, plus a short cable section and a small ladder.
- Arch size: about 140 feet wide and 105 feet tall.
- Trailhead: on Potash Road (Utah Highway 279), about 25 minutes from downtown Moab.
- Fees: none. Not inside Arches National Park.
- Dogs: allowed on a leash, but the ladder can be tricky for them.
- Best time: spring and fall; early morning or late afternoon.
Corona Arch Trail at a Glance
| Land manager | Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Field Office |
| Location | Bootlegger Canyon, off Potash Road (UT-279), west of Moab, Utah |
| Trail type | Out and back |
| Distance | 3 miles round trip |
| Elevation gain | About 440 feet |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Arches on the trail | Corona Arch, Bowtie Arch, Pinto Arch (distant) |
| Rock type | Navajo Sandstone |
| Shade | Almost none |
| Restroom | Vault toilet at the trailhead |
| Camping at trailhead | No |
Where Is Corona Arch?
Corona Arch sits in Bootlegger Canyon, a side canyon of the Colorado River west of Moab. It used to be called Little Rainbow Bridge, a name you’ll still see on some older maps.
How to get there
- From downtown Moab, drive north on US-191 for about 4 miles.
- Just before the Colorado River bridge, turn left onto Potash Road (UT-279).
- Follow it along the river for about 10 miles. You’ll pass the Wall Street climbing area, the dinosaur tracks pullout and the Indian Writing petroglyph panel.
- The signed Corona Arch Trailhead parking lot is on the right (north) side of the road.
The road is paved all the way and fine for any car. Plan on about 25 minutes from town.
Parking
The lot is decent-sized, with a vault toilet. On spring and fall weekends it fills by mid-morning. Arrive early or come back in late afternoon, when the first wave of hikers has left.
How Hard Is the Corona Arch Trail?
It’s a moderate hike, but a short one. Most of it is simple walking on sand and slickrock. Two spots get people’s attention:
- The cable section: a sloping slab of rock with a steel cable bolted along it to hold onto.
- The ladder: a short metal ladder up a small rock step, followed by some carved steps.
Neither one is technical. Most kids over about 7 and most adults handle them fine. If you’re nervous about heights, go slowly, keep three points of contact, and know that you can see Corona Arch clearly from the first cable section if you decide to stop there.
Is it good for families?
Yes, with care. The trail passes several drop-offs, so keep small kids close, especially near the cables and on the bench above Bootlegger Canyon.
Corona Arch Trail Step by Step
1. Trailhead to the railroad tracks (0.1 mile)
The trail climbs a short rocky slope from the parking lot to a BLM register box. Sign in. Right after it you’ll cross a set of railroad tracks.
These tracks are still in use. Trains haul potash between the plant at the end of the road and the main line. Look both ways, cross quickly, and never sit or take photos on the rails.
2. Up the old roadbed (to about 0.7 miles)
After the tracks, follow an old eroded road up through a gap in the rock. The trail then levels out across a sandy bench with alcoves and red walls all around. Watch for cairns (small rock piles) marking the route across bare rock.
Not far along, a side path heads toward Pinto Arch, a smaller arch high in the cliffs. Most people just look at it from a distance.
3. Cables and the ladder
Next you’ll reach the cable section, then the ladder. Take your time. On busy days there may be a short wait, so be patient and let people coming down go first when it makes sense.
From here, Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch both come into view ahead of you. It’s a great moment.
4. Bowtie Arch
The trail follows a wide slickrock ledge along the cliff. Overhead is Bowtie Arch, a “pothole arch.” It formed when water sitting in a pothole on top of the cliff slowly ate down into a cave below, until the two met. Look for the hanging gardens of moss and ferns below it, fed by water seeping out of the rock.
5. Corona Arch (1.5 miles)
The ledge leads straight to the base of Corona Arch. Up close it’s massive, roughly 140 feet across and 105 feet high. You can walk underneath it and look down into Bootlegger Canyon, where the railroad disappears into a tunnel far below.
Spend some time here. Sit in the shade of the arch (the only real shade on the hike), have a snack, and take in the scale of it. Then return the same way.
Rules at Corona Arch
Corona Arch used to be famous for a giant rope swing and rappelling videos. Not anymore. The BLM banned roped and “extreme” activities at the arch, including rope swings, rappelling, ziplining, slacklining and climbing. Hiking to and under the arch is still welcome.
Other rules and good manners:
- Stay on the marked route and solid rock. Don’t walk on dark, crusty soil, which is alive and slow to recover.
- Don’t climb on the arch.
- Keep dogs on a leash.
- Pack out all trash. There are no bins along the trail.
- No camping at the trailhead. There are BLM campgrounds along Potash Road.
Best Time to Hike Corona Arch
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| March–May | Ideal temperatures, busiest season |
| June–August | Very hot (often 100°F+). Start at sunrise and finish by 9 a.m. |
| September–October | Great weather and warm light |
| November–February | Cold mornings, quiet trail; slickrock and the ladder can be icy after storms |
Best time of day: early morning for cool temperatures, or late afternoon for warm light on the arch. The sun sets behind the cliffs fairly early, so the arch goes into shade before sunset.
Rain: wet slickrock is slippery, and the canyon can flash flood. Skip it during storms.
What to Bring
- Water: 1.5–2 liters per person, more in summer.
- Shoes: grippy trail shoes for slickrock and the ladder.
- Sun protection: there’s almost no shade.
- Small backpack: keep your hands free for the cables.
- Wide-angle lens or phone setting: the arch is huge.
Photography Tips
- Shoot from the ledge before the arch to fit the whole span in your frame.
- Put a person under the arch for scale. It makes the photo.
- Look back toward Bowtie Arch with the cliff wall above it.
- For a calm shot, come early on a weekday before the crowds.
Corona Arch vs. Arches National Park
| Corona Arch | Arches National Park | |
|---|---|---|
| Land | BLM | National Park Service |
| Entry fee | None | Park entrance fee |
| Timed entry | Not needed | Can be required in busy months |
| Main experience | One giant arch plus Bowtie | Hundreds of arches and many trails |
| Challenge | Cables and a short ladder | Varies by trail |
The two work great together. Do Corona Arch in the morning, then head into the park for Delicate Arch or the Devils Garden Trail.
Nearby Things to Do on Potash Road
- Petroglyph panel: the Indian Writing panel, right by the road.
- Dinosaur tracks: a short walk from a signed pullout.
- Wall Street: watch rock climbers on the cliffs beside the road.
- Jug Handle Arch: visible from the road farther along.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Corona Arch Trail?
3 miles round trip, about 1.5 miles each way.
Is Corona Arch hard?
It’s moderate. Most of it is easy, with one cable section and a short ladder.
Is Corona Arch in Arches National Park?
No. It’s on BLM land west of Moab, so there’s no park fee or timed-entry reservation.
How big is Corona Arch?
About 140 feet wide and 105 feet tall, one of the largest arches in the Moab area.
Can dogs do the Corona Arch Trail?
Dogs are allowed on a leash. The ladder is hard for most dogs, so be ready to help or turn around.
Is there a fee to hike Corona Arch?
No.
Can you still swing from Corona Arch?
No. Rope swings, rappelling and other roped activities at the arch are banned.
Is Corona Arch good at sunset?
It’s nice in late afternoon, but the arch drops into shadow before sunset. Morning and mid-afternoon light are more reliable.
Final Thoughts
Corona Arch is the perfect Moab hike for people who want a big payoff without a big day. It’s short, free, a little adventurous, and the arch is jaw-dropping. Go early, bring water, and take your time on the ladder.
Planning a Utah trip? Add the narrow sandstone canyon of Grand Wash in Capitol Reef, the waterfall slot canyon at Kanarra Falls, and the Druid Arch Trail in Canyonlands.
Trail facts come from the Bureau of Land Management, Moab Field Office. Rules can change, so check before you go.