Utah · Hiking · Near Moab

Lathrop Trail

Lathrop TrailPhoto: Courtesy of Andrea Noble
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
best months

Is Lathrop Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The National Park Service lists 2 alerts for Canyonlands National Park.

As of · Source: NPS · Canyonlands National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

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. Lathrop to Canyon Rim • Roundtrip Distance: 5 mi (8 km) • Time: 2-3 hrs • Elevation Change: 158 ft (48 m) • Difficulty: Moderate • Hike Description: Trail crosses open grasslands, ending in spectacular views of Airport Tower & Colorado River. • Bring: Water (1 L per person, per hour), snacks, sturdy footwear, headlamp, map, and be prepared for, sun, rain, heat, or cold. • Accessibility: This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions; we recommend traction devices for hikers. • Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal? Lathrop to White Rim Road • Roundtrip Distance: 11.8 mi (19 km) • Time: 5-7 hrs • Elevation Change: 1,721 ft (525 m) • Difficulty: Strenuous • Hike Description: Trail crosses open grasslands, then drops 1,600 ft (488 m) into the canyon below. Enjoy views of the La Sal Mountains and fanciful sandstone knobs on this varied and challenging hike to the White Rim. • Bring: Water (at least 1 L per person, per hour), snacks, sturdy footwear, headlamp, map, and be prepared for, sun, rain, heat, or cold. • Accessibility: This trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. It is not accessible to wheelchairs. • Dogs are not allowed on this trail. Service animals are allowed in national parks. What is a service animal?

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Airport A

    Campground

    Campground · 3.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Domino's

    Fast food

    On your way back · 17 mi · Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Launching Pad

    Attraction

    On your way back · 15 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Moab

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct

    Best time to visit Lathrop Trail

    Best months: April–June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      37° / 22°

      4 wet · 4 snow

    2. Feb

      43° / 27°

      4 wet · 3 snow

    3. Mar

      54° / 35°

      5 wet · 2 snow

    4. Apr

      62° / 40°

      5 wet · 1 snow

    5. May

      72° / 50°

      5 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 62°

      3 wet

    7. Jul

      91° / 68°

      6 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 66°

      7 wet

    9. Sep

      79° / 57°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 44°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 33°

      4 wet · 2 snow

    12. Dec

      37° / 23°

      4 wet · 4 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Canyonlands-The Neck, UT, 1.8 mi away at 5,871 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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