Corona Arch Moab, Utah

Corona Arch – Moab, Utah

The Trek Details

The Trek in a snapshot

Location

Outside of Moab, Utah – Southern Utah

Managing Agency

BLM

Pets

Allowed but keep on leash

Fees

None

Restrooms

Yes, in the parking lot

Camping

Not allowed

Trail Condition

Good dirt path. Steadily gains elevation to the arch

Sights

Corona Arch, other arches

Water Info

Bring 1-2 liters of water

Best Season

All

Distance

3 miles roundtrip

Time Required

2+ hours

Parking Elevation

3996 ft

Summit Elevation

4363 ft

Elevation Difference

367 ft

Trek Planner Maps

Trail Map

GPS Coordinates

Trailhead: 38°34’28.08″N, 109°37’56.32″W
Pinto Arch: 38°34’54.01″N, 109°37’38.67″W
Bowtie Arch: 38°34’50.33″N, 109°37’18.00″W
Corona Arch: 38°34’47.48″N, 109°37’12.30″W

Experience. Discover. Explore.

The Trail

Follow along on our adventure then go out on your own!

Be a responsible explorer

Corona Arch

This hike is very popular because Corona Arch is, in my opinion, almost as incredible as Delicate Arch.  It is a massive arch that juts out from the side of the mountain and the hike is short and sweet.

You will begin the trail close to a major campground area.  This area has the restrooms in it as well and is right next to the Colorado River.

The trail begins with a little climb up to the railroad tracks that seem to slice the sandstone rock in half.  You will have to cross these tracks – please look both ways and make sure there are no trains coming in either direction.

Once across, the trail is easy to follow and fairly easy to manage.

NOTE: The arch is located on BLM land above a railroad that carries potash through the canyon.

Pinto Arch in the distance

After about a 1/2 mile if you look to your left (or in the north western direction) you will see in the distance a small arch called Pinto Arch.

You can hike to Pinto Arch but the trail is rough and you can sort of get a good view from the Corona Arch trail anyways.

Keep going and you will wind around a small bend and now be travelling on sandstone.

Corona Arch visible in the distnace
Corona Arch visible in the distance

Once you pass the first major bend you can begin to see Corona and Bowtie Arch.  They are both next to each other and you will travel right underneath them.  You will also see ton of cairns spread out in this location.  Not sure what any of this means but it seems like the thing to do.

Corona Arch

There are a few precarious parts after you come around from the first major bend.  But with slow and stable movements you can safely travel to the arch.

You will have to climb up a small ladder and there is even a cable wire handline for you and your travelling companions to hold on to.Corona Arch

Corona Arch

Corona Arch

By this point it is difficult to lose the trail as the trail is basically forcing you to travel high on the sandstone which curves around until Corona Arch.

If you look down towards the railroad tracks you might be able to see a train passing through.  This doesn’t happen all the time but it is still neat to see.

You will approach Bowtie Arch and after, you will of course come to the conclusion of the trail, Corona Arch.

There is a side trail leading up to the top of Corona Arch where there are rappelling anchors for people to use.

Train coming through
Desert big horn sheep

Head back to the trail and back to the parking lot.  On our way back the sun was just setting and I took this photo of the Colorado river with the sunset.  The next photo down is from a different trip.

Corona Arch

Rappelling and using Corona Arch as a rope swing is now not allowed by the BLM.  I will leave this information here for reference purposes only.

Corona Arch

Corona Rappel

Personal Thoughts

Personal Thoughts

In my opinion, this is one of the best places to visit if you are in the Moab area. The arch is giant and spectacular: one of the largest in the area. I have heard it called "little rainbow bridge" because it resembles Rainbow Bridge in Lake Powell.

Related Posts
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

2 Comments
oldest
newest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

[…] Corona Arch […]

[…] Arch is located on a spur trail from the Corona Arch Trail down by Highway 279.  I had never hiked to Pinto Arch and found that it was a good and fun trail […]

2
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x