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Hiking
is restricted because of the requirement to protect the archaeological
resources and therefore is limited to only a few areas. Ask
a park ranger for current hiking information. Hikers must
register at the Chief Ranger's office before walking many
of the trails within the park. There are no backcountry trails
for backpacking and overnight camping. Pets are not allowed
on the trails.
Hiked
Check our personal notes for detailed descriptions of these trails:
| Balcony House Trail |
| Distance: |
.5 mile loop |
Rating: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Elevation: |
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Total Ascent: |
400 feet |
| Trailhead: |
This trail begins and ends at the Ruins road loop. |
| Description: |
This is a ranger guided trail to cliff dwellings that are only accessible by use of a 32 foot ladder. To exit you must crawl through a 12 foot tunnel and make a 100 foot climb up cliff face. |
| Cliff Palace Trail |
| Distance: |
.5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
500 feet |
| Trailhead: |
This trial begins along the Ruins road loop. |
| Description: |
This is a winding, strenuous trail. Cliff Palace is the largest cliff dwelling in the park. This trail is not accessible to the disabled. |
| Far View Ruin Trail |
| Distance: |
1 mile round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
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Total Ascent: |
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| Trailhead: |
The trail begins and ends at the Far View Ruin. |
| Description: |
There are five surface ruins of former dwellings. |
| Long House Ruin Trail |
| Distance: |
.75 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
400 feet |
| Trailhead: |
The trail begins at the Mini Trail trailhead. |
| Description: |
This is a ranger guided tour of the second largest cliff dwelling within the park. The trail has 50 steps and is not recommended for the disabled. |
| Soda Canyon Overlook Trail |
| Distance: |
.75 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
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Total Ascent: |
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| Trailhead: |
The trail begins at a turnout north of Balcony House. |
| Description: |
There are three overlooks above Soda Canyon. The southward facing overlook provides the only good view of Balcony House. |
| Spruce Tree House Trail |
| Distance: |
.5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
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| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
200 feet |
| Trailhead: |
The trail begins at the museum. |
| Description: |
Spruce Tree House is the third largest cliff dwelling in the park. |
| Step House Ruin Trail |
| Distance: |
.5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
500 feet |
| Trailhead: |
The trail begins at the Wetherill Mesa Luncheonette. |
| Description: |
This is a ranger guided tour to a pit house and cliff dwellings. The trail is very strenuous and access to disabled is with assistance. |
Not Hiked
- Knife Edge Trail
- Petroglyph Point Trail
- Point Lookout Nature Trail
- Prater Ridge Trail
- Spruce Canyon Trail
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