With the highest density of arches in the world, hordes of visitors spend their “Moab arch experience” within the boundaries of Arches National Park. Those of us who are lucky enough to explore the Moab area beyond the park borders know there are countless other scenic arch hiking adventures.

Corona Arch has been a longtime favorite. I have probably hiked this trail 10 times and referred many friends and family. Hiking Corona in the 1980s, the trailhead was just a pullout with no facilities. Today, the trailhead has a large parking area with a permanent restroom, and the trail is extremely busy. Time to get out of my rut and discover a lesser-known arch hike favorite.

Voila! Last winter, I was gifted with a tip about a “new-to-me” arch day hike and fell in love! Jeep Arch Trail is just 1/4 mile past the Corona Arch parking area and looks like Corona did in the 80s. A gravel wide spot, no facilities and not even a sign — but you can’t miss it. There is a very large culvert near the pullout.

A sunny winter day is the perfect time of year to hike this moderately challenging hike, which ascends at a gradual rate to a total of about 900 feet. Jeep Arch is a 4-mile round trip hike, which can be done as an out and back or a loop (the loop being the eye of a needle). The trail is marked with green dash lines over about 50% of the trail. Once the trail splits at the loop point, the trail is marked by cairns that can be a conundrum to discern between other natural rock clusters. But, aiming toward the only nearby spire and massive rock outcrop is a sure bet.

I heartily agree with others who have hiked and reviewed this trail on four points:

At the loop intersection, go left and do the loop clockwise for a more stunning approach to the arch.
Allow plenty of time. Stop frequently to take in the stunning views. Take your time in a few areas that require steeper scrambling and cairn searching. Get creative, and vary the slick rock route.
Downloading a map of the trail is recommended if you have any concerns about the cairn route.
If you chose not to do the hike during cooler weather, take plenty of water and start early in the morning, as there is no shade until you reach the arch.

Jeep Arch remains hidden for the majority of the hike but offers a great reward with 360 degree views as you stand inside the arch and incomparable panoramic photo opportunities. The slick rock benches at the base of the arch are a great place for peaceful meditation or clamoring kids. Dogs are welcome but may need some assistance at times.

GETTING THERE

When coming into Moab from the north on 191, turn right onto UT 279/Potash Road and drive 9.7 miles alongside the Colorado River to the Corona Arch parking area on the right. Take advantage of the facilities here before driving another 1/4 mile where you will see a large culvert going under the railroad tracks and a gravel pull out area, also on the right.

For an even more scenic drive, take the Cisco, exit 204, off I-70 and wind your way along the red canyon lined Colorado River. Turn right when you come to 191, then left onto UT 279/Potash Road, following the directions above.

THE HIKE

From the parking pullout, follow the trail through the large culvert and turn left when you exit where the first Jeep Arch Trail sign is posted. The trail leaves the canyon bottom and traverses gradually inclining, well-marked slickrock with green painted dashes for 1.2 miles. At this point, the trail becomes a loop requiring steeper ascents to benches on either side of the arch. Go left at the intersection, and keep your eyes peeled for cairns and signs of a boot beaten trail. The trail passes through the arch and continues back to the loop intersection.

Originally published in the Winter 2022-23 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Take A Hike: Jeep Arch Trail

GETTING THERE

THE HIKE