Guide to Weddings
at Corona ARch
Moab, UT
Corona ARch 101
Corona Arch is one of the biggest arches in the Moab area. There are two other arches in the area too - Bow Tie arch is immediately next to Corona, and Pinto Arch is just off a short side trail.
It’s a beautiful alternative to Arches National Park for those who don’t want to pay the expensive Arches wedding fee or sit in endless traffic. It’s roughly 30 minutes outside of Moab, UT along the Colorado River and the perfect venue for a Moab wedding ceremony.
Why choose Corona Arch for your wedding?
Much cheaper than Arches National Park
No timed entry or entrance fees
Less crowded than Arches National Park
More adventurous hiking!
The secret is out though for people who want to see an arch without going into Arches National Park, so you’ll still want to be strategic with your wedding timeline.
location
Corona Arch is about a 25 minute drive from Moab along Potash Rd. It’s a beautiful drive right along the river. You will lose cell service, however, so plan accordingly.
It’s worth nothing that Corona Arch is not particularly close to any other elopement sites, so it’s not a great spot if you hope to hit multiple locations.
Corona Arch vs Arches National Park Weddings
Corona Arch Weddings
$60 (or possibly free) permit
No entrance fee or timed entry reservations
Two arches
More strenuous hiking
No cell service
Arches National Park Weddings
$185 wedding permit fee
Entrance fee and timed entry resevation
Ranger monitoring of the wedding
More visitors
More arches and options
No cell service
Hiking Corona ARch
Corona Arch is a roughly 1.5 mile hike. It’s not a particularly difficult hike for people in decent shape, though there is some elevation gain. People who are unstable on uneven ground or on steep rock will struggle on two parts of the hike, where a handrail and a ladder are installed to reach the next level. My 8 year old golden retriever could still scramble up this section on her own though, so most people should be able to handle it.
The hike time varies based on fitness, but for a very fit group the hike is about 25 - 30 minutes. For most Moab elopement groups, I estimate 40-45 minutes so we’re not rushed and can take photos along the way.
PERMITS
Here’s what you need to know about getting a permit for your Corona Arch wedding:
You’ll need a Special Recreation Permit from the Bureau of Land Management’s Moab Field Office to have a wedding at Corona Arch.
The fee to elope at Corona Arch is $60 - but the Bureau of Land Management will often issue free permits for very small, low impact weddings.
The general public will still be allowed at Corona .
Note: photographers also need a permit to shoot on Moab BLM land. I recommend confirming that your photographer is willing to get one / knows that they need a permit before booking them.
Marriage Licenses
In addition to the park permit, you'll also need a Utah marriage license. The good news is these licenses are valid statewide, so you can obtain one in Salt Lake City upon arrival or in Moab for your convenience.
Marriage licenses are valid for 32 days from the date of purchase, so ensure yours doesn't expire before your ceremony.
Season
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-October) provide the most comfortable temperatures in Moab. Mornings and evenings in March and April are still pretty chilly though, and Corona Arch will be mostly shaded at sunset.
Spring will be windier than the fall but you will see more flowers, like Paintbrush and Globemallow. Fall is less windy and has beautiful fall colors on the Cottonwoods, which you won’t see much of at Corona Arch but are plentiful along the river.
Summer is scorching and has frequent monsoons and flooding. The hike to the arch is also very exposed and hot.
Winter is beautiful and quiet in Moab, but certain parts of the hike could be difficult in snow or ice.
Pets
Unlike most wedding venues in Moab, Corona Arch is a pet-friendly place to have your elopement. You’ll definitely want to make sure that your pet is in good shape (an old pup with hip problems might not be able to make the scramble) for the steeper slickrock sections. But our old golden retriever was running up the sandstone even at eight years old, so most dogs should be able to handle the hike. Just be sure to bring extra water!
Have a great wedding day
More Moab Wedding Venues
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Do you want perfect sunset lighting for your Moab wedding? Enough said. Dead Horse it is!
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If giant cliffs, easy hikes, and incredible lighting are your vibe, consider Canyonlands for your wedding.
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Towering arches and red sandstone formations.
About Your Wedding Photographer
Hey, I’m Danielle! I’m a wedding and elopement photographer in Moab, UT. I used to work as a hiking guide in Moab and hiked 800 miles from Arches National Park to Zion National Park. I used to go to Dead Horse twice a day with clients, so when it comes to Dead Horse Point State Park experts, I’m your person.
If having a photographer with some serious local expertise and skill behind the camera sounds like something you want on your very important wedding day, reach out below.
Packages start at $5,300 for 6 hours.
vilaplanaphoto@gmail.com