While over a million visitors flock to Arches National Park each year to see a sandstone wonderland filled with arches, pinnacles and fins, few venture beyond the park to visit the amazing collection of arches on nearby BLM land. One of the most stunning arches outside the park is Corona Arch.
The massive, partially freestanding arch, 140-ft high with a 105-ft opening, is located in a beautiful sandstone amphitheatre high above Bootlegger Canyon just to the west of Moab, UT. A short, interesting trail leads to the arch and its nearby cousin, Bowtie Arch, a fascinating pothole arch. Visual delights along the trail include views of the Colorado River, Pinto Arch, Bootlegger Canyon and the surrounding cliffs.
The trail is a minor obstacle course in a few places. Two short sets of safety cables aid travel along steep slickrock slopes and a small ladder helps hikers to climb a small ledge.
Corona and Bowtie are best visited in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, or during the early morning in the summer. There is no shade along the route, making this a brutally hot hike in the summer. Be sure to take plenty of water.