Lathrop Canyon

Lathrop Trail

~3 min drive

<p>The Lathrop Trail crosses a wide grassland on the mesa top, enjoys views of Colorado River, then descends into the canyon below. For a moderate trail option, hikers often turn around at the canyon rim. Continuing down to the White Rim Road means a strenuous hike back out.</…

Shafer Trail Viewpoint

~5 min drive

<p>A short, 0.9 mi (1.4 km) drive past the Island in the Sky visitor center leads to a breathtaking view of the Shafer Trail. <br /> <br /> The Shafer Trail at the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is an iconic road that descends 1,500 feet (457 m) throug…

Neck Spring Trail

~5 min drive

<p>A walk back in time, this loop trail passes historic ranching features and two springs where cowboys watered cattle.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 5.6 mi (9 km)</li> <li><strong>Time</strong>: 3-4 hrs</li> <li><strong>Elevation Change</strong>: 418 ft (1…

Mesa Arch Trail

~6 min drive

<p>Perched at the edge of the mesa top, this 27-foot-long (8.3 m) arch frames views of the canyon far below and the La Sal Mountains in the distance. The loop hike has slightly more elevation change at the beginning if you travel counter-clockwise. To reduce the number of stai…

Gooseneck Overlook Trail

~6 min drive

<p><i>Reaching this trail requires a permit to drive the 4WD White Rim Road. </i><br /> <br /> This short walk from the White Rim Road ends abruptly at an overlook of a meandering gooseneck bend in the Colorado River.</p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level=…

Aztec Butte Trail

~7 min drive

<p paraeid="{6586b1d3-5177-47f9-8426-e7e98ddba119}{68}" paraid="308520971">Indigenous people once stored foods and medicines in rock structures, called granaries, built into alcoves here. Despite the current name, they were not part of the Aztec civilization. <em>Do not touch…

Wilhite Trail

~8 min drive

<p paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-332d48e86814}{233}" paraid="840572081">A primitive trail with steep switchbacks drops 1,600 feet (488 m) into a long, sandy wash. Follow the wash to the White Rim Road. No shade.</p> <ul role="list"> <li paraeid="{dd69bb86-0131-4382-92b9-33…

Murphy Loop Trail

~8 min drive

<p>A great full-day hike, the Murphy Trail offers outstanding views from atop the Murphy Hogback and White Rim Road. <em>This trail starts at the same trailhead as the moderate Murphy Point Overlook Trail. Pay close attention at the junction.</em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Roundtri…

Murphy Point Trail

~8 min drive

<p>People seeking a mostly level hike longer than just a mile might enjoy the Murphy Point Trail. It leaves the pavement and vehicle sounds behind, and offers the change to imagine what Canyonlands looked like during its ranching days before it became a national park. </p> <ul…

Alcove Spring Trail

~9 min drive

<p>After descending 1,300 feet (396 m) past a large alcove, the trail meanders in a wide canyon to the base of the notable Moses and Zeus towers. </p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Roundtrip Distance</strong>: 11.2 mi (18 km)</p> </li> <li> <p><strong style="color: rgb(85, 85, 85); fon…