BLM Land · No fee · No reservation
Corona Arch
A 140-foot span that rivals anything inside Arches National Park — with no entrance gate, no timed entry, and dogs allowed on leash. The catch is a stretch of cables and a short ladder across the slickrock, which is exactly what keeps the crowds thinner than they should be.
Distance and conditions verified July 2026
No fee, no reservation, dogs welcome. Because Corona sits on BLM land rather than inside a national park, it sidesteps the entrance fee, the timed-entry system, and the no-dogs rule that apply five miles away in Arches.
The trail gets sun all day. There is no shade anywhere on it. In June–September, start at first light — the slickrock and the cable section are punishing by mid-morning.
Why hike it
Corona Arch is the strongest argument for leaving the national parks behind. It is a free-standing sandstone span roughly 140 feet wide and 105 feet tall — big enough that a small plane was once flown through it — sitting above Bootlegger Canyon just off the Colorado River. It is comparable in scale to the famous arches five miles east in the park, and you reach it without paying a fee, booking a reservation, or fighting for a parking spot at dawn.
You also pass two more arches on the way: Bowtie Arch, a pothole arch in the cliff face, and a glimpse of Pinto Arch high on the rim. The route is mostly open slickrock walking with big Colorado River corridor views, and it ends with a short burst of mild adventure — cables and a ladder — that makes it feel more involved than its three miles suggest.
Corona vs. Delicate Arch: if you are choosing one arch hike and want the iconic photograph, do Delicate Arch in the park. If you want the bigger span, no fee, no reservation, smaller crowds, and the option to bring your dog, Corona is the better hike. Many people do both — they are only 15 minutes apart by car.
Getting to the trailhead
From Moab, drive north on US-191 for about 4 miles, then turn west (left) onto UT-279, Potash Road. Follow it roughly 10 miles along the Colorado River to the signed Corona Arch trailhead on the right.
- Drive time: about 20 minutes from downtown Moab
- Trailhead GPS: 38.5794, -109.6321
- Parking: a paved BLM lot with restrooms and room for RVs. It fills on peak weekends but turns over quickly
- The drive itself: Potash Road hugs the river beneath Wall Street, a popular climbing wall. Watch for climbers, and stop at the Poison Spider dinosaur tracks on the way
- Water: none at the trailhead or on the trail. Fill up in Moab
You cross an active railroad. The trail crosses the Potash rail line early on. Trains do run it — look both ways, cross promptly, and do not linger on the tracks for photographs.
The hike, step by step
0 – 0.25 mi
Railroad and first climb
Leave the lot, cross the railroad tracks, and climb through a gap in the slickrock rim. The Colorado River opens up behind you almost immediately. The steepest sustained climbing on the route is right here at the start.
0.25 – 1 mi
Slickrock benches
The sandy tread gives way to open slickrock marked by cairns. You gain a wide bench above Bootlegger Canyon with long views to the La Sal Mountains. No shade, no water — this is where the sun starts to matter in summer.
~1 mi
Cables and ladder
The one technical stretch. A steel cable bolted to the rock helps you across an angled slab; a second cable leads to steps chopped into sandstone; then a short metal ladder of a few rungs gains the final bench. Exposed to drop-offs but brief. Nervous about heights? The first cable is the honest turnaround — you can see the arch from there.
1 – 1.5 mi
Bowtie, then Corona
Past the ladder you pass Bowtie Arch on the left, then the trail bends and Corona Arch fills the skyline. The sandy basin beneath it is the natural rest and lunch spot. Retrace the same route back.
Free printable field guide
Take this guide with you
Two pages built to print and fold. Trailhead GPS, the step-by-step route with the cable and ladder section marked, pack list and turnaround rule — readable with no cell service.
- Trailhead GPS and the railroad-crossing note
- Where the cables and ladder are, and the safe turnaround
- Pack list you can tick off the night before
- Seasonal and heat guidance for an all-day-sun trail
Safety
Corona is moderate and safe for most people with basic fitness, but it has real hazards and one of the worst records for casual overconfidence near Moab.
- The cable and ladder section is exposed to drop-offs. Take it slowly, one person at a time, and help children and dogs through rather than assuming they will manage.
- Heat and sun. The trail gets sun all day with zero shade. Carry more water than feels necessary — at least a litre per person for the short distance, more in summer.
- Steep drop-offs near the arch. The bench beneath Corona has unguarded edges. Keep dogs leashed and children close.
- No climbing or rope-swinging on the arch. This was banned after viral videos led to incidents. It is enforced.
- The railroad crossing carries active trains. Cross promptly.
When to go
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Mar – May | Ideal temperatures, wildflowers, and the cables are comfortable to grip. Busiest season. | Best |
| Jun – Aug | Sun all day, no shade, hot metal cables by mid-morning. Start at first light or skip. | Dawn only |
| Sep – Oct | Heat eases, crowds thin, warm light on the sandstone. Excellent. | Best overall |
| Nov – Feb | Cold but clear and quiet. Watch for ice on the slickrock and the ladder after snow. | Good, mind ice |
How it compares
| Trail | Distance | Fee | Dogs | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corona Arch | 3 mi | None | Yes | Moderate |
| Delicate Arch | 3.2 mi | Park fee | No | Very high |
| Landscape Arch | 1.6 mi | Park fee | No | High |
| Anniversary Arch | 1.5 mi | None | Yes | Low |
Common questions
How long is the Corona Arch hike?
About 3 miles round trip with roughly 450 feet of gain. Published figures range from 2.4 to 3 miles depending on the GPS track. Most people take 2 to 3 hours including time at the arch.
Is Corona Arch better than Delicate Arch?
For many visitors, yes. Similar 140-foot span, but no entrance fee, no reservation, smaller crowds, and dogs allowed on leash. Delicate Arch is the more iconic photograph; Corona is the easier, cheaper, more flexible hike. They are 15 minutes apart, so do both if you can.
Is the trail scary?
Mostly no. The bulk is straightforward slickrock walking. Near the end there is a short cable-and-ladder section with exposure to drop-offs. It is manageable for most people, and anyone uneasy with heights can view the arch from the first cable and turn back.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on leash — this is BLM land, unlike the national parks. But the ladder and cables are hard for dogs and there are drop-offs near the arch. Bring extra water and be ready to help a small or nervous dog through the scramble.
Do I need a permit or pay a fee?
No fee, no permit, no reservation. The trail is on Bureau of Land Management land, which is the main reason it is such a popular alternative to the park trails.
Can you climb or rope swing from the arch?
No. Climbing on and rope-swinging from Corona were banned after viral videos led to safety incidents. The arch is for viewing and photography only, and it is enforced.
Can you camp nearby?
Yes. BLM campgrounds along Potash Road — Gold Bar, Williams Bottom and Jaycee Park — are right by the trailhead. They are first-come or reservable depending on the site.
Nearby hikes
Bowtie Arch
The pothole arch you pass on the way to Corona. Usually done as the same hike.
Same trail
Pinto Arch
Visible high on the rim from the Corona trail, reached by its own quiet spur.
2.4 mi · Moderate
Anniversary Arch
Another no-fee Dome Plateau arch with even fewer people. Cairned slickrock route.
1.5 mi · Easy
All BLM trails
30 trails near Moab with no fee, no reservation, and dogs welcome.
30 trails