Camp > Destinations > Utah > Canyonlands NP > Hiking
Canyonlands National Park
Hiking
This page presents information on the trails within Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Backcountry permits are required for all overnight stays in the backcountry. Reservation requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. Make backcountry reservations at:
Canyonlands National Park Reservation Office
2282 S. West Resource Boulevard
Moab, Utah 84532
Phone: 435-259-4351
FAX: 435-259-4285
Canyonlands is a land of extremes:
- Summer temperatures can reach 110 degrees and winter lows often drop below zero.
- Thunderstorms can change a dry stream into a rushing flood within minutes. Exploring the backcountry requires skill and forethought.
- Use care when hiking on slickrock (especially if it is wet or snowy) and watch your step near cliff edges. Sandstone is soft and fractures easily. Sand grains can act like ball bearings under your boots.
- Flash floods can occur at any time of the year, but they are most common during the late summer thunderstorm season. Remember that in the backcountry you are on your own.
- See Park Backpacking for more details.
- See Park Hiking for more details.
- See our Backpacking Tips.
- See our Day Hiking Tips.
Trails: Horseshoe Canyon Unit
Hiked
Check our personal notes for a detailed descriptions of this trail:
| Horseshoe Canyon Trail |
| Distance: |
6 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
Hike down into the canyon to see some amazing ancient petroglyphs and pictographs. |
Trails: Island in the Sky District
Hiked
Check our personal notes for a detailed descriptions of this trail:
| Alcove Spring Trail |
| Distance: |
|
Rating: |
|
| Elevation: |
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Total Ascent: |
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| Trailhead: |
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| Description: |
( Map ) |
| Aztec Butte |
| Distance: |
2 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
200 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This trail passes over steep slickrock and includes a spur to the summit. The trail passes a small butte with two granaries on the northwest side, then climbs Aztec Butte. The climb is strenuous, but not overly difficult. Panoramic views from the top are worth the climb. ( Map ) |
| Gooseberry Trail |
| Distance: |
6 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
1,400 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This is a very steep trail that crosses some loose talus. The trail drops quickly off the mesa, descending to the White Rim Road. From the trail's end one can hike on the White Rim Road to the edge of Gooseberry and Dogleg Canyons. There is no water available along this trail, and watch out for the Pygmy rattlesnakes. ( Map ) |
| Grand View Point |
| Distance: |
2 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
50 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
The trail winds along the rim and sheer cliffs to the southernmost tip of the Island in the Sky mesa top where there are excellent canyon views. ( Map ) |
| Lathrop Trail |
| Distance: |
10 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
1,600 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
Along this trail there are excellent views of the canyon below. In some places the trail is extremely steep, with loose sand, and in other places it crosses talus slopes. This is the only marked route that goes from the mesa top to the Colorado River. From Gray's Pasture the trail follows the rim before descending 1,600 feet in three miles. Below the switchbacks, the trail follows an old road and descends into a wash to the White Rim Road. A short hike south on the road takes you to the junction of the Lathrop Canyon road. From this point it is 3.5 miles to the river. ( Map ) |
| Mesa Arch |
| Distance: |
.7 mile loop |
Rating: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
100 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
There is some loose rock. The trail leads out to the canyon rim and Mesa Arch, with excellent views of Buck Canyon and Washer Woman Arch. There is also a sheer 500 foot drop-off at rim below the arch. ( Map ) |
| Murphy Trail |
| Distance: |
9.3 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
1,600 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This is a steep hike along the Hogback, the White Rim Trail, and then back up a sandy wash. Watch for cairns and be careful not to blindly follow the footprints of those who have hiked here before. Remember, walking in sand can be difficult and time and energy consuming. Plan your trip accordingly. ( Map ) |
| Neck Spring |
| Distance: |
5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
300 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This trail crosses some sandy and rough terrain. The trail passes by Neck and Cabin Springs and excellent views of upper Taylor Canyon. Depending upon the direction you take, there can be a steep climb out of Cabin Spring Canyon. In spite of the springs, there is no suitable water available for drinking. A trail guide is available at the Visitor Center. ( Map ) |
| Shafer Canyon Overlook |
| Distance: |
.25 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
100 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This is a short walk with some loose rock. ( Map ) |
| Syncline Loop Trail |
| Distance: |
8 mile loop |
Rating: |
Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
1,300 feet |
| Trailhead: |
At the Upheaval Dome Overlook parking area. |
| Description: |
This trail circles around Upheaval Dome, with steep slopes and areas of loose talus or sand. This trail may be hiked in either direction from its start on the Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail, 200 feet from the parking lot. After an initial level walk the trail descends steeply to Upheaval Wash and then climbs back to the starting level. One short section traverses a ledge above a high cliff. Some water may be found in stream beds, but is not reliable. ( Map ) |
| Upheaval Dome Crater Overlook Trail |
| Distance: |
1 or 2 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy to Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
200 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
The trail leads over slickrock to a near viewpoint on the south rim of Upheaval Dome or a farther overlook on the southwest rim. There are sheer cliffs at the viewpoint. A trail guide is available at the Visitor Center. ( Map ) |
| Whale Rock |
| Distance: |
1 mile round trip |
Rating: |
Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
100 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
The trail climbs over bare slickrock to the top of a large dome with good views of Trail Canyon and the western portion of the Island in the Sky mesa top. To the north lies Upheaval Dome. Steep cliffs dropping off from the top of the rocks and the surface may be slippery when wet. ( Map ) |
| White Rim Overlook |
| Distance: |
1.5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
25 feet |
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This hike passes over some bare slickrock. The trail travels out on a peninsula that extends eastward from the rest of the Island in the Sky and ends at one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the park with 600 to 800 foot drop-offs along the rim. ( Map ) |
Not Hiked
- Fort Bottom Trail
- Murphy Point
- Wilhite Trail
|
|
Trails: Maze District
Not Hiked
- Colorado / Green River Overlook Trail
- Deadman's Trail
- The Golden Stairs
- Horseshoe Canyon Trail
|
- Maze Overlook Trail
- North Trail Canyon
- Spanish Bottom Trail
- Surprise Valley / Spanish Overlook Trail
|
Trails: Needles District
Hiked
Check our personal notes for a detailed descriptions of this trail:
| Big Spring / Squaw Canyon Loop |
| Distance: |
7.5 miles round trip |
Rating: |
|
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This trail is a great introduction to the landscape of the Needles District, connecting two canyons for a loop across varied terrain. The route between the canyons climbs steep grades that are dangerous when wet and may make people with a fear of heights uncomfortable. ( Map ) |
| Cave Spring |
| Distance: |
.6 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
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| Chesler Park Loop / Joint Trail |
| Distance: |
11 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
|
| Chesler Park Viewpoint |
| Distance: |
6 miles round trip |
Rating: |
|
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
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| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This popular trail leads across varied terrain to a pass overlooking a scenic expanse of desert grasses and shrubs surrounded by sandstone spires. ( Map ) |
| Confluence Overlook |
| Distance: |
11 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
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| Druid Arch |
| Distance: |
|
Rating: |
Moderate to Strenuous |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
11 miles. ( Personal Notes ) |
| Peekaboo Trail |
| Distance: |
10 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Moderate |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
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| Description: |
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| Pothole Point |
| Distance: |
.6 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
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| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
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| Roadside Ruin |
| Distance: |
.3 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
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Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
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| Slickrock Trail |
| Distance: |
2.4 miles round trip |
Rating: |
Easy |
| Elevation: |
|
Total Ascent: |
|
| Trailhead: |
|
| Description: |
This trail has an uneven slickrock surface. There are several viewpoints and sometimes bighorn sheep. ( Map ) |
Not Hiked
- Angel Arch
- Big Spring Canyon to Elephant Canyon
- Big Spring Canyon to Squaw Canyon
- Castle Arch
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- Fortress Arch
- Lower Red Lake Canyon
- Squaw Canyon to Lost Canyon
- Upper Salt Creek
|
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