Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch Hike Guide
Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch hike is located in Moab, Utah right next to the popular Pinto and Corona Arch Trail. Although popular, this hike sees far less crowds than the neighboring arch hike and is equally impressive. This trail is a lollipop loop (repeats the first mile or so) and has some minor scrambling but is generally friendly for hikers of most skill levels and dogs. I recommend this hike during the Winter months when temperatures are cooler and the views of the snow coated La Sal mountains are fantastic.
Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch Hike Quick Facts
Jeep (Gold Bar) Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5 Stars)
Virtual Trail Guide: Jeep, Pinto, Corona Arch Combination
Distance: 4.2 Miles RT
Elevation Start: 3,971ft
High Point: 4,885ft
Total Elevation Gain: 800ft
Estimated Time to Complete: 2-3 Hours
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate What does this mean?
Class: Low Class 3* *There are some minor scrambles near the arch on both sides of that loop which some would consider high Class 2 or even low Class 3. What does this mean?
Season: Year Round – Most popular times to visit are around the Thanksgiving Holiday.
Crowds: Moderate
Directions to Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch
Trailhead: Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch
Getting Here: From Moab, head about 4 miles North out of town and then take UT279 or 10 miles until you reach the small parking area on the right. This entire road is paved and all vehicles should have no issue getting here.
Parking: There is a small lot located at the trailhead that can fit 8-10 vehicles. Although this parking area does not have restrooms, there are plenty nearby at the neighboring campground or Corona Arch trailhead.
Permits/Fee: None as of 2025
Summary
Dogs: If your dog is comfortable with minor scrambles (see the virtual guide for examples of this) this is a solid hike for a dog. Please avoid this hike during hot Spring, Summer and Fall days as there is no shade or water along the way.
Camping: There are plenty of established campgrounds nearby (Goldbar, Williams Bottom, Jaycee Park – to name a few) there are also plenty of dispersed camping options in the area. This part of Moab can be VERY competitive to find a camping spot around Holiday weekends and weekends in general. Unless you can reserve in advance, it’s recommended to have PLENTY of backup plans when camping in and around Moab.
Make it a Loop: This hike is a lollipop loop where only a tiny bit at the start is repeated. If you want even more hiking, its very easy to link Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch with neighboring Corona and Pinto arches (LINK).
Trail X Factors: Scrambling Near Arch
Although 90% of this hike is very easy and straightforward hiking, there are two or three small sections on both sides of the arch that require some minor scrambling and route finding. This scrambling will likely require the use of hands in some small sections, making it Class 3. From a route finding perspective, the entire trail is well marked with green trail markers but can be a little tricky to follow in 2-3 small sections. If you have walked for more than a minute or two without seeing a green marker and you feel like you are off trail, its probably best to retrace your steps until you last saw one.
Hike Tip(s): Although the Jeep (Gold Bar) hike can be done year round, I would highly recommend completing this during the Winter months (November – March) as it’s typically much cooler and you get a great view of the snow covered La Sal Mountains along the way. Regardless of when you choose to hike this, please be sure to bring ample water and protection from the Sun. There is no shade on this trail.
Best Views: I really enjoyed all aspects of the Jeep (Gold Bar) Arch trail. The start has beautiful views of the river, desert landscapes and the arch itself is really unique and quite prominent.
Gear Needed
- Men’s Trail Runners
- La Sportiva Cyklon
- La Sportiva Trango Hiking Boots (Men’s)
- Backpack (Winter)
- Backpack (Summer)
- Sunglasses
- Base Layers
- T Shirt
- Mid Layer
- Rain Jacket / Shell
- Pants
- Shorts
- Socks
- Food & Water
- Optional: Water Filter
- Optional: Garmin inReach
- Optional: Hiking Poles – 120CM
- Optional: Headlamp
- Optional: Garmin Fenix Watch
- Optional: GoPro, Joby Tripod, Selfie Stick, GoPro Max 2 , Drone, Insta360
- *Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you.
