Gooseberry Trail

A rocky, steep cliff edge with vegetation in the foreground, far off canyons, mountains in the back.

The steepest descent in Island in the Sky district plunges 1,400 feet to the White Rim Bench via relentless switchbacks carved across sheer cliffs and loose scree—a lung-buster with real exposure and consequences. Your legs will scream on the way down; your fitness will be tested on the way back up. This trail demands tactical hydration discipline, sturdy high-ankle boots, and unflinching foot placement on unstable terrain where every slip is a cliff edge risk.

Quick facts

Distance Miles: 4.6
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet: 1529

Trail profile

Distance Miles: 4.6
Route Type: Out-and-back
Difficulty Level: Strenuous
Elevation Gain Feet: 1529
Estimated Time: 4 to 6 hours depending on fitness and descent caution on scree
Trail Surface: Loose scree slopes, rocky switchbacks, stone steps, uneven terrain, exposed rock faces
Trail Features: White Rim Bench views
Sheer cliff faces
Panoramic canyon vistas
Loose scree descent
Rocky switchbacks
Trail Highlights: Descend to the White Rim Bench, one of Canyonlands' most exclusive viewpoints, with sweeping panoramic views of canyons and the White Rim formation. The steep descent offers adrenaline and raw desert wilderness.

Trailhead & access

Trailhead Location: Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park. Coordinates: 38.322859814, -109.849520941
Shuttle Required: 0
Shuttle Details: No shuttle required. Drive directly to the Gooseberry Trail trailhead in Island in the Sky District.

Permits & conditions

Permit Details: Day hiking does not require permits. Overnight backcountry camping in Canyonlands requires advance permits through the NPS.
Fees: $30 per private vehicle (valid 7 days); $25 per motorcycle; $15 per person on foot. Youth 15 and under admitted free.
Trail Status: Open year-round
Seasonal Closures: No seasonal closures. Winter (December-February) may bring snow and icy conditions on scree; traction devices recommended.

Facilities & rules

Restrooms At Trailhead: 1
Water Sources: No water sources along the trail. This is a dry hike—carry at least 1L water per person per hour and filter water before your hike if possible.
Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible. Rough and uneven terrain with rocky hills, stone steps, and scrambling required. The descent via loose scree and steep switchbacks demands balance, strength, and careful foot placement. Winter may bring snow or icy conditions.

Safety & strategy

Hazards: Steep scree slopes with loose, shifting rock
Sheer cliff drop-offs with minimal guardrails
Extreme sun and heat exposure
Unstable footing on switchbacks
Remote location with spotty cell service
Rough, uneven terrain with stone steps
Hazard Details: Switchbacks cross sheer cliff faces with minimal protection. Scree shifts under foot, requiring deliberate placement on every step. Heat exposure is extreme in summer—dehydration can occur in hours. Winter conditions bring snow and ice on scree, increasing slip risk. Single-slip consequences are severe: a fall off-trail into scree or over a cliff is potentially fatal. Remote location means rescue response is slow. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent.
Cell Service: Spotty to none. Notify someone of your hike plan and carry a satellite communicator for emergencies.
Crowd Level: Moderate—steep terrain and difficulty keep it from being as crowded as easier trails, but not remote.
Peak Crowd Times: Weekends and spring/fall peak season (March-May, September-October)
Best Season: Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October)
Best Time To Visit: Start by 6 AM to avoid midday heat on exposed slopes. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) offer stable desert temperatures. Avoid summer heat and winter snow/icy conditions on scree.
Tips Advice: Carry 1L water per person per hour minimum—this is not negotiable on exposed desert terrain with zero water sources.
Wear trekking poles for descent stability on loose scree.
Start early to finish before afternoon heat and shadows disappear.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and high-ankle boots—no shade on switchbacks.
Scout your footing on every step; scree shifts under weight.
Bring a headlamp even for day hikes—injury evacuation from cliffs is dangerous and slow.

More details

Park Area: Island in the Sky
Trail Markers: Well-worn switchbacks and cairns mark the descent route. Bring a map and compass—the final approach to White Rim Bench can be confusing amid similar-looking scree and rock formations.
Dogs Allowed: No. Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals permitted in the park.
Shade Level: Full sun on switchbacks and scree slopes. Zero shade refuge. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunscreen, and light-colored clothing.
Emergency Contacts: Island in the Sky Visitor Center: (435) 719-2313 (during operating hours). In life-threatening emergencies, call 911 if cell service available. File a detailed hike plan with visitor center staff before departure.
Map Recommended: 1
Snow Dates: Winter snow and ice possible December-February. Traction devices (microspikes or crampons) strongly recommended for winter ascent on scree.
Mud Season: Not applicable for desert terrain.
Wildflower Peak: Spring (April-May) for desert wildflowers and greenery
Fall Colors Peak: Not applicable—desert terrain has minimal deciduous vegetation.
Bug Season: Not applicable—desert terrain has minimal insects.
Insider Tips: The false summit at mile 2.3 is not the trail end—keep descending to reach the White Rim Bench and the actual payoff views.
Start the descent before 8 AM; the light and shadow show are best in early morning and worth the effort.
On the return climb, pace yourself and hydrate often—the elevation gain will feel worse going uphill, and many hikers underestimate the return effort.
Many hikers badly underestimate water needs; the NPS 1L-per-hour recommendation is conservative, not aggressive.
Wear gaiters if you have them—scree finds its way into boots and socks.
Family Friendly Notes: Not family-friendly. Sheer cliff drop-offs require constant vigilance—one misstep by a child could be fatal. The steep descent and scree demand focus and balance. Not suitable for young children or anyone with vertigo or fear of heights.
Nearby Facilities: Island in the Sky Visitor Center nearby. Full services (food, fuel, lodging, medical) in Moab, Utah, approximately 30 miles southwest.
Review Summary: Hikers report this is the hardest trail in Island in the Sky—the relentless descent, cliff exposure, loose scree, and sun demand tactical respect. Those who complete it praise the exclusive White Rim views and sense of accomplishment from strenuous effort. Most caution that hydration discipline and fitness separate success from misery or danger.

Location

Frequently asked questions

Can I do this trail if I'm not a very fit hiker?

Only if you're building toward it. This is the steepest descent in Island in the Sky. Start with Mesa Arch or Grand View Point first. The 1,500 ft elevation loss will punish weak quads and unfit lungs. Be honest about your fitness level.

Is it safe to hike alone?

Not recommended. Cliff exposure and remoteness mean an injury has serious consequences—rescue response is slow and dangerous. Hike with a partner, carry a satellite communicator, and file a detailed hike plan with visitor center staff before departure.

What if I run out of water?

This is a dry trail with zero water sources. Running out of water on this exposed descent in desert heat is a serious, potentially fatal emergency. Carry 1L per person per hour minimum. Turn around if you haven't reached the bench by midday.

Do I need trekking poles?

Yes, strongly recommended. Poles save your knees on the long descent and provide crucial stability on loose scree. Many hikers regret not bringing them. Consider them mandatory for anyone over 50 or with prior knee issues.

How difficult is the scree on descent?

Scree is loose and shifts under every step. Foot placement must be deliberate and careful on every stride. Wear sturdy high-ankle boots. The descent is slower than the mileage suggests—plan 2.5 hours down, 2+ hours back up.

Will I encounter other hikers?

Yes, but fewer than on easier trails. Most encounters happen in the morning before 10 AM. By afternoon, you may be alone—which is why carrying a communicator and filing a hike plan is essential.