Trails

Alcove Spring Trail

Descend 1,300 feet to Moses and Zeus towers. Strenuous 11-miler—bring water and grit.

Aztec Butte Trail

Two summits, ancient granaries, unforgiving slickrock. Moderate scrambling, big views.

Backcountry Camping in Canyonlands

1-14 day backcountry expedition. Water scarce. Permit required. For serious hikers only.

Big Spring Canyon to Elephant Canyon Loop Trail

Two-ladder canyon loop, 10.5 miles of slickrock scrambling. Strenuous—start early, bring 2L water.

Big Spring Canyon to Wooden Shoe Canyon Loop Trail

Loop two canyons through steep grades and technical terrain. Bring serious water and exposure tolerance.

Canyonlands’ Cave Spring Trail

0.6-mile loop through cowboy camps & sacred rock art. Ladders required. Desert grit essential.

Chesler Park Loop and Joint Trail

Narrow slot canyons and Needles vistas—but 10+ miles of relentless sun exposure. Not for casual hikers.

Chesler Park Viewpoint Trail

Strenuous 5.8-mile scramble to a desert pass with 360° spire views. Brutal cumulative gain—bring 1L water per hour.

Confluence Overlook Trail

11 miles of exposed desert rock ending at a 1,000-ft cliff over the river confluence. Bring serious water and grit.

★ 4.9 1,124 reviews

Corona Arch

3-mile out-and-back over slickrock; safety cables and ladder lead to Corona Arch.

Druid Arch Trail

10.8mi strenuous climb to Druid Arch. Ladder climb, deep sand, loose rock. Experienced hikers only.

Experience the Shafer Trail

Sheer 1,500-foot descent on unpaved rock. For experienced 4WD drivers only.

Fort Bottom Trail

3.4mi exposed mesa to ancient Puebloan ruin overlooking Green River. Permit + full water required—no shade.

Gooseberry Trail

Steepest drop in Island in the Sky: 1,400 feet of scree and cliffs. Grit required.

Gooseneck Overlook Trail

0.6mi Easy. Remote overlook accessed via White Rim Road permit. River bend views, 30 min. Dry, exposed.

Grand View Point Overlook and Trail

Easy distance, intense exposure. Panoramic canyon views at 6,080 feet—respect the stone steps and cliff edges.

Lathrop Trail

Grassland mesa crossing to Colorado River rim views. Moderate 5 miles but brutal sun—1L water per hour mandatory.

★ 4.9 3,409 reviews

Mesa Arch

0.6-mile loop, 56 ft gain; sun-exposed, crowd-heavy sunrise.

★ 4.9 953 reviews

Mesa Arch Trailhead

0.65-mile loop to Mesa Arch; easy path, big payoff—sunrise crowds.

Moses and Zeus Towers Trail

1.3-mile gauntlet to iconic sandstone spires. Steep, rocky, and exposed—no compromise.

Murphy Loop Trail

10.8mi strenuous loop: 1,448ft gain, full sun, rocky terrain. Bring 2L+ water and nerve; Murphy Hogback views reward the pain.

Murphy Point Trail

Easy mesa hike past a historic corral with canyon panoramas. Mostly level, 3.4 miles. Watch for icy winter conditions.

Neck Spring Trail

Historic springs and stone steps in the high desert. Moderate grit, 5.6mi, full sun exposure.

Peekaboo Trail

Ladder climbs meet cliff exposure on 10.8 strenuous miles. Bring water and grit—this is no walk in the park.