Corona Arch

Corona Arch may be the single best free family hike in the Moab area, and it's criminally underrated compared to the more famous arches in Arches National Park. The arch itself is enormous — wider than a football field — and the approach trail delivers a legitimate sense of adventure that kids 8 and older absolutely thrive on.

The hike is 3 miles round trip with about 400 feet of elevation gain, much of it across open slickrock. The trail is well-marked with cairns and the terrain is varied — flat sections alternate with fun rocky scrambles. The highlight for kids is a short section near the top that requires pulling yourself up using a fixed chain handline, which gives the hike a genuine adventure feel that a flat paved trail never could.

When you arrive at the arch and look back through it at the canyon walls and sky beyond, the scale of the thing is genuinely humbling. Most kids stand at the base and simply stare. The photo opportunities are extraordinary.

The trail is on Bureau of Land Management land with no entrance fee — a significant advantage over the paid entry to Arches National Park. Parking at the trailhead on Highway 279 is limited, so arrive early on busy weekends.

Timing is absolutely critical in Moab. The trail is fully exposed on white slickrock with no shade for long stretches. Summer visits should only happen before 8am or after 6pm; otherwise, spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) are the ideal windows. Carry at least 2 liters of water per person — the desert air will dehydrate your family faster than you expect.

This is the kind of hike that makes kids feel capable and adventurous. That feeling is worth every step.