Corona Arch Hike in Moab, Utah: A Guide
The Corona Arch hike is one of the best, and most easily accessible, hikes in Moab, Utah!
Since it’s outside of Arches National Park, that means that this trail is often less crowded than those inside the park—and the arch here is no less spectacular than the ones inside the park.
Best of all, the trailhead is a short drive from downtown Moab and both national parks in this area, so it’s a great add-on to your other adventures here.
Because of its convenient location, stunning natural beauty, and well-marked trail, this is one hike that we return to again and again when we’re visiting Moab.
Below, you’ll find everything you need to plan for your Corona Arch hike including suggested visiting times, parking tips, items to pack, and points of interest.
The author and the Camping Kiddos with Corona Arch behind them
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Corona Arch Hike: Know Before You Go
While Corona Arch is easily accessible, you’ll want to do some trip pre-planning.
In this section, I’m sharing everything you need to know before you begin your hike, including parking tips, where to find the trailhead, and recommendations for kids on the trail.
Where is the Corona Arch hike?
The Corona Arch trailhead is located off of Potash Road (Utah Scenic Byway 279).
As the crow flies, the trailhead is due west of Moab, but, by car, you’ll need to head north of the town to jump onto Potash Road.
The trail is one of many along Potash Road, though I think it is the most impressive if you’re looking for natural arches and generally beautiful scenery.
The trail works its way through sections of Bootlegger Canyon before climbing to where you’ll find the arches.
There’s actually another arch on this trail other than the titular Corona Arch! See notes below on where to find a second arch, Bowtie Arch.
See how to fit this hike into 2 epic road trips through Moab:
Directions to Corona Arch Trailhead
From downtown Moab, head north on Main Street (US-191) and cross the Colorado River. About 1.5 miles beyond the river, turn left onto Potash Road.
Potash Road is a 2-lane road. You’re going to see a small sign announcing the turn for Potash Road, and you will see a dedicated left turn lane. There will not be any sign specifically for the Corona Arch trail on this main road, so keep an eye out for that Potash Road sign.
For nearly 10 miles, you’ll wind your way down Potash Road. It is beautiful, so take your time and stop at the many pull-outs if you’d like.
This scenic highway is bordered by the Colorado River on one side and deep red sandstone cliffs on the other.
In several places along the road, you’ll see petroglyphs painted on the rocks. The most prominent are across the river from a large pull-out and are indicated with a large metal sign.
You’ll also see rock climbers belaying on the sheer cliff faces.
Around mile 10 on Potash Road, you’ll see a sign for Corona Arch that indicates the parking area just before you turn into the lot.
The Colorado River next to the overflow parking and BLM campground across from the Corona Arch trailhead
Parking at Corona Arch
The main parking area at Corona Arch is to your right as you drive in on Potash Road.
There is another, nearly identical parking area to the left (nearer the river) that can be used for overflow, but we haven’t seen it used heavily on any of our visits. This parking area also serves one of the many BLM campgrounds on Potash Road, but there’s plenty of room for everyone.
I’d recommend using the main parking area unless you’re driving your RV or trailer down here. The overflow parking area to the left is flatter with easier ingress and egress for larger vehicles.
Both of these parking areas are layered with crushed gravel. This entire area can get quite muddy after a hard rain, and the gravel helps with traction. There is a small incline going into the main parking area, but nothing that a standard car can’t handle.
Select an available parking spot and prepare for your hike. Parking here is free.
The Camping Kiddos family in the parking lot. The trailhead is to our left.
You access the trailhead directly from the back of the parking lot.
If you need to use the restroom before you set out, there are vault toilets in the parking area. These stay reasonably clean, and are definitely not the worst ones we’ve ever seen on our travels.
Is the Corona Arch hike good for kids?
The sassiest little hiker ever to take on the Corona Arch Trail
Yes, the Corona Arch hike is good for kids—with a few exceptions.
Overall, families will like Corona and Bowtie Arch trail thanks to its well defined path and overall easy hiking level.
I will note that I only recommend the first 2/3rds of the hike for younger kids, inexperienced hikers, and/or those who are afraid of heights.
Around that mark, you’ll find (in quick succession) a steep, chained section, a sloped, bumpy area with a sheer drop-off, and an 8-foot metal ladder. Beyond that ladder, the trail narrows significantly and has a sheer drop-off. There are no chains or hand-holds from this point to the arch itself.
That being said, you could easily do the first 2/3rds of the hike with kids! You can still see both Bowtie and Corona Arches from the bottom of the chained section. (More on that below.)
That first 2/3rds of the hike is really great for kids of all abilities and hiking levels. I’ve even done it babywearing while also keeping up with a 4 year old.
Just do that section and turn around when you get to the chained area.
Do I need a permit or reservation for this hike?
No, the Corona Arch trail doesn’t need a permit or reservation, making it much easier to access than the hikes inside nearby Arches National Park.
Just show up, park, and head out on the trail.
There isn’t a place to register your party on the trail, but it is always a good idea to let others know where you are hiking and when your estimated time of return is.
NOTE: I highly recommend the Garmin InReach Mini if you plan to do a lot of hiking in Moab or other more remote areas. This tiny GPS clips to my backpack and allows me to send 3 pre-determined messages to my husband or parents to let them know where the kids and I are. If we ever got into a situation where we were hurt or lost, I can reach Garmin help 24/7 to get immediate help.
Corona Arch Hike, Step by Step
Train tracks near the beginning of the hike
Ready to head out onto the trail? Let’s go!
As you begin your hike, you’ll notice that the trail has a steep incline nearly from the start. This is a trend throughout this hike, though there are sections where the trail does level out.
Don’t worry, though—the rock steps and incline at the beginning of the hike wasn’t anything that our preschooler couldn’t handle on her first hike here, so you and your family are likely to be fine.
The first 1/8 of a mile or so from the parking lot climbs quickly to some incredible views.
Soon after you reach the first little plateau area, you’ll come to some train tracks.
These are interesting as the area for the tracks to your right had to be blasted through the red rock cliffs back in the 1960s.
It is an actively used train track, so look and listen before you cross. Don’t walk down the tracks into the manmade canyon section for your own safety.
After crossing the tracks, the trail begins to ascend a bit more as you hike along the base of the cliffs (they’ll be on your right as you head up the trail).
Your kids will find plenty of rocks to jump between here if the regular old trail is too boring.
My preschooler tests out a few of the rocks beside the trail.
I will note that there are a couple of spots where you’ll have to scramble up some medium sized rocks, but they’re nothing that my 7-year-old can’t handle. (And, my 72 year old dad has also managed them fine on a previous hike!)
After a quarter mile of hiking in the shadows of the cliffs, the trail opens into a large, shrubby area and does a wide curve back to the right.
To this point, the trail is easy to follow as the dirt path is well worn into the surroundings.
My husband on the trail, about halfway to the arches
From here, that incline gets more dramatic as you switch from hiking on packed dirt onto the slicker red rock itself.
My son hiking across the slick rock sections of the hike
Around this same time, you’ll come to a small junction marked by a little sign. By hanging to your left, you can go to Pinto Arch, but we’re sticking to the right fork for Corona and Bowtie Arches.
On a dry day, this change from the dirt/sand area to the slick rock isn’t something you’ll probably even register beyond the change in topography, but on a day where it’s been raining earlier, you’ll want to watch your step.
I’ll also note here that, on hotter days, the rock areas are much warmer than when you’re hiking on the dirt/sand areas. Bring LOTS of water.
The transition from dirt to rock also brings in changes to how you know where the trail is going. Instead of a well worn path, you’ll have green paint stripes on the rock trail that notes where you’ll need to go.
Even without the paint stripes, it’s an intuitive path, but clarification on trails is always appreciated. There used to be stone cairns placed along the pathway for even more clarification, but those have been knocked down and removed in recent years.
You’ll want to watch your feet here—and remind little ones to do so, too—as there are areas where the rock is uneven.
The green paint stripes will direct you around a wide curve to the left, and this is where you’ll get your first glimpses of the hike’s arches.
The Camping Kiddos and I at Bowtie Arch
You’ll notice some large pockets in the stone across the valley from the trail: these will eventually turn into arches in many, many years as the wind and water wears away the soft rock.
However, turn that corner, and you’ll be able to see Bowtie Arch in the distance.
It’s fascinating looking even though it isn’t as dramatic as some of the arches in Canyonlands or Arches National Parks.
The facing of the rock and the top of the cliff have worn away simultaneously to create Bowtie Arch, which is really an arch with a hole just behind it.
You’ll see a couple of sections of metal chains linked together with wooden poles.
Follow these up the steep stone. There are small hand and foot holds worn into the rocks that are helpful if you need additional balance on the way up.
At the top of this chained section, you’ll come to a fairly steeply sloped area with what looks like ripples in the rock.
My 7-year-old on the sloped section between the chain and the ladder
This section is one of the hardest for kids—and it was ultimately where my younger kid decided he was done.
This area between the chained section and the metal ladder is sloped, which can be challenging enough, but that added texture in the rock AND the fact that there is nothing to stop you from sliding off into nothingness at the bottom will give some hikers pause.
Again, you can still see both arches from this area, so don’t feel that you need to go any further than you feel comfortable.
If you decide to push on, you’ll cross that textured, sloped section of rock and scale the 8-foot metal ladder propped up on the far side.
From the top of that ladder, you’ll see a rock ledge that curves around in a wide, right turn. Follow this until you’re directly under Corona Arch!
NOTE: From the top of the ladder to underneath Corona Arch can feel quite scary, particularly if you’re afraid of heights. There aren’t any chains or hand holds to help guide you, and the sheer drop off can be disorienting.
Still, if you can push through, Corona Arch is a great hike from beginning to end.
Once you get to the arch, turn around and follow the path back along the ledge, down the ladder, and across the sloped, textured rock.
On the way down the chained section, you’ll have to decide if you’re walking down the chained section front ways (like stairs) or backwards facing the hand/foot holds.
The Camping Kiddos and I with Bowtie Arch to the left and Corona Arch to the right
Going forwards feels a bit more treacherous as you’re staring straight down at the canyon below, but I’ve watched many people do this section that way—often confidently and, once, while a guy was carrying his large dog. I’ve also seen others creep down facing forwards while scooting on their butts.
Hey, whatever works to get you safely down is good by me!
My kids prefer to go down facing forward, though my 7-year-old struggled to hold the chain and place his feet this way. When we do this hike again, I think I’ll have him try to go down facing the rock so he can see where the hand holds are.
From there, you’ll follow the trail back around the large rock to your right, then descend back into Bootlegger Canyon, past the train tracks, and down the stone steps to the parking lot.
If you’d like to include data for the Bureau of Land Management (who keeps up this site), you can leave your name, number of party members, type of activity completed, and notes on your hike in the guest book on the metal pole near the train tracks.
What to Bring on Your Corona Arch Hike
Sun Protection
The Moab sun can get hot, and nearly the entire trail has little to no shade. On our most recent hike here, we visited during a heat wave, which made it more challenging than normal—and I realized just how few areas there are on the trail where you can rest in the shade.
Bring sun hats and sunglasses on mild days, while I’d recommend those plus lots of sunscreen if you’re hiking mid-summer.
I’ve also been known to hike in a lightweight sun shirt as I am the world’s worst at burning, even with sunscreen on. The kids and I wore these long sleeved sun shirts last year in the Arizona and New Mexico desert, and they were a lifesaver for long days out hiking. They aren’t too hot and they provide excellent protection from the sun.
I also love a good sun buff, which helps soak up sweat and protect my neck during hotter hikes. These are great at cooling you down if you sprinkle a bit of water on them! I put my Buff CoolNet UV Half-Gaiter on my 7-year-old Fremen-style during the last hike to help keep him cool, which was great.
NOTE: If possible during the hotter months, start this hike early, so that you’re heading back to the parking lot by the time the temperatures begin to warm up. Otherwise, you will feel like you are slowly baking to death between the heat from the sun and the heat reflecting back on you from the rocks.
Water
There aren’t any facilities of any kind on the trail, and you WILL need water on this hike. (And a lot of it.)
Yes, it is a short out-and-back hike, but the desert heat can quickly dehydrate you if you’re not properly prepared. This is true throughout the year—even when you’re hiking in cooler temperatures. Moab has a very dry climate that requires serious hydration.
We have water bladders in our packs that we keep full, but you can also bring a water bottle in a sling if you’d prefer to travel lighter. My daughter has one of these insulated bottle carriers that she likes to carry on these quick out-and-back hikes.
Since the trailhead is 10 miles down Potash Road and another 5 or so from Moab, you’ll be thirsty for a long way if you’re waiting to get back to your campground or hotel for a drink of water.
Comfortable Shoes
Even though it’s a shorter trail, there is terrain here that isn’t the kindest to a regular tennis shoe.
We’ve done this hike in both hiking sandals and hiking boots, and both work. However, if you’re one to accumulate little stones in your shoes while you hike, you’ll want to opt for the boots.
(I didn’t have this issue when hiking in my beloved Keen Newport H2 sandals, but I could see it being more of an issue with a more open sandal like Chacos or Tevas.)
The trail is sandy in multiple places, so expect to get a bit of dirt and dust in your shoes if you opt for a hiking sandal. I’ve done the trail in both open and closed hiking shoes, and both were okay for me.
Still, opt for whatever’s most comfortable for your needs.
Get more hiking and gear guides here:
My dad with his wooden hiking stick near the middle of the Corona Arch hike
Hiking Stick
We have hiked with both sturdy wooden hiking sticks and more lightweight aluminum poles, and both are great.
There are several areas on the Corona and Bowtie Arch trail that require maneuvering over rocks and stepping up stone stairways, and a hiking stick provides some needed stability.
In general, it’s never a bad idea to carry a hiking pole or two if you’re unfamiliar with the terrain or need extra security around troublesome spots on the trail. Corona Arch trail is a great place to try those out.
