Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
You get a 140 foot arch you can stand under without paying a park entrance or driving a washboard road, which is why roughly 80,000 people a year do this one. The trail leaves State Route 279 ten miles south of US-191, crosses a railroad track, then works up slickrock past two fixed safety cables with steps cut into the rock and a short ladder. There is real exposure in spots, though nothing technical. Roped activities including rope swinging and BASE jumping have been banned here since 2017.
The Trail
140 ft arch you can walk under, with cables and a ladder en route. Free and glorious.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Moderate)
2 liters water, trail shoes, sun layer, snacks, small first-aid kit.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Kayenta Campground (Dead Horse Point) (Camping, 9 mi) · Big Bend Campground (Camping, 10 mi) · Ken's Lake Campground (Camping, 13 mi) · Devils Garden Campground (Camping, 14 mi)
More hikes nearby: Grandstaff Canyon (Hike, 6 mi) · Dead Horse Rim Loop (Hike, 8 mi) · The Windows & Turret Arch (Hike, 9 mi) · Fiery Furnace (Hike, 12 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Corona Arch hike?
- 2.3 miles round trip with 482 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Corona Arch?
- Moderate. Kid rating: 3 out of 5.
- When should I hike Corona Arch?
- Best season: All year.
- Why hike Corona Arch?
- Because you can walk underneath a 140 foot arch after 2.3 miles, with no park entrance and no permit. BLM counts around 80,000 hikers a year here, so it is no secret, but the cables and ladder over slickrock mean it is not a stroller walk. Go on a dry day and wear grippy shoes.