A Blessing in Disguise: Discovering Corona Arch & Bow Tie Arch
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| Corona Arch Moab Utah |
Often in life, when a door we were hoping to walk through suddenly closes, a window opens to reveal an opportunity that is even better. That's the perfect way to describe my journey to Corona Arch. I had driven all the way to Southern Utah with the intent of hiking in Arches National Park, only to find it closed due to a government shutdown. My initial disappointment, however, led me to a new plan, and I was delighted to remember the nearby Corona Arch trail. I think I ended up enjoying this adventure even more than my original one! It was a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best experiences are the ones we don't plan for.
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| Bow Tie Arch Moab Utah |
The Golden Nugget 🌟
Don't Miss This: The drive to the trailhead! The journey along Utah Highway 279, which winds alongside the beautiful Colorado River, is an adventure in itself. Be sure to stop at the large petroglyph panel along the road before you get to the trail—it's a fantastic piece of history hiding in plain sight.
"Often when a door closes, God opens a window with opportunities that are even better."
Adventure at a Glance
- 🏞️ Location: Near Moab, Utah (along Highway 279)
- 🚶♀️ Activity: Moderate Hiking, Arch Viewing
- ⭐ Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (5 out of 5 Diamonds)
- ☀️ Best For: Incredible arches outside the national park, fun trail obstacles.
- ⏳ Recommended Time: 2-3 hours for the 3-mile round trip hike.
- 🧭 Can't-Miss Sights: Bow Tie Arch, Corona Arch, the petroglyph panel on the drive in.
My Corona Arch Story: A Closed Door and an Open Window
The hike to Corona Arch is beautiful from start to finish. People all around me were constantly talking about how amazed they were with the trail and the incredible views. It's not just a walk; it's an experience. The trail has a few fun, adventurous sections that require you to use your hands, including a sturdy cable to help you up a slickrock slope and a cool ladder to climb. These obstacles make the reward feel even more earned. You get to see two incredible arches for the price of one hike: first, the unique Bow Tie Arch, which is a pothole-type arch that opens to the sky, and then the main event, the massive and absolutely magnificent Corona Arch.
Your Trail Guide: Helpful Hints
- ♦️ Follow the Green Paint: My husband had warned me to watch for cairns, but the trail is now very well-marked with green rectangles painted on the rock. It's quite easy to follow; just keep an eye out for the next green marker!
- ♦️ Be Prepared for Obstacles: The trail includes sections with cables and a ladder. They are very sturdy and safe, but be prepared for a little bit of hands-on scrambling.
- ♦️ Watch for Ice in Winter: If you're hiking in the winter as I did, be very careful on the shaded sections of slickrock, as they can be icy and treacherous.
- ♦️ Look for Petroglyphs on the Drive: The large rock art panel is on the cliffside right next to the road, before you get to the trailhead. It's a great bonus stop!
As a Golden Nugget:
Don't Miss This: For expert adventurers, there is a challenging, off-trail scrambling route that connects Corona Arch with the nearby Jeep Arch. It requires advanced navigation skills, but it's a future adventure I can't wait to explore and document for you!
As a "Your Trail Guide" Tip:
♦️ The Adventurous Connection: While there is no official trail, advanced hikers with expert navigation skills can create a longer loop by scrambling cross-country from Corona Arch to the nearby Jeep Arch. I plan to tackle this adventure in the future, so stay tuned for a dedicated guide!
EXPERIENCED ADVICE: WATCH FOR GREEN RECTANGLES AND WATCH OUT FOR ICE.
As I started the hike, I quickly found some people heading down from the hike, and asked for any insights and helps they had for me. They said, "Watch for the green markers along the trail, they will tell you the way, and watch for ice. So if you look in the pictures below, you can see green rectangles. They are new since my husband did this hike, and they make this hike quite easy. Just follow the green rectangles...it was great!
Green Foot Prints to Follow instead of Cairns that don't last here. 
Nice Chain to hold onto to keep you safe. There are 3 spots that are especially interesting along the Corona Arch trail.
First: The Rope you use (below) with the Steps Chipped Out of the Rock so you can climb up.
View of Rope and Steps in Rock Along Trail to Corona Arch 2. The Ladder you have to get Up and Down on the Trail.
3. The Cool Trail Tracks you get to cross with the awesome Channel cut out of the Mountain.
Future arches in the cliffs along the trail.
Future Arch Forming along Corona Arch Trail
Love This? Pair it with More Moab Hikes!
If you're in the Moab area, you can pair this hike with these other incredible adventures.
Grandstaff Canyon: A beautiful hike with lots of stream crossings that leads to a huge natural bridge.
Fisher Towers: A hike among giant, unique red rock spires.
TRANSPORT YOURSELF TO THIS MOAB CLASSIC
360 Trail Walking Under Corona Arch. MAKE SURE YOU LOOK UP AND SEE HOW BIG THIS ARCH IS.
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| Corona Arch Moab Utah |
360 Trail Walking In Front of Corona Arch
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| Bow Tie Arch And Bonus Arch Moab, Utah |
Conclusion
I am so glad my original plans got changed so I could enjoy this awesome place. It was such a treat and a powerful reminder that disappointments can lead to our best discoveries. This hike has it all: a beautiful drive, ancient history, a fun and challenging trail, and two absolutely spectacular arches. It's a must-do for any adventurer visiting the Moab area.
Sending Love and Positive Vibes,
Shauna from VRGetaways
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