Slickrock Trail
Photo: NPS- 1.7 mi
- round trip
- 105 ft
- climb
- 5,042 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- best months
Is Slickrock Trail open right now?
Alert in the area
The National Park Service lists an alert for Canyonlands National Park.
Mineral Bottom and White Rim Road are open but not recommended
Park alert covering Canyonlands National Park · NPS · Canyonlands National Park
As of · Source: NPS · Canyonlands National Park. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Slickrock Trail is a short, easy hike in Canyonlands National Park in Utah, managed by the National Park Service. The trail lies within the park's Needles District, about 0.2 miles from the Big Spring Canyon Overlook and Trailhead and the Needles District climbing area. The roundtrip distance is about 2.4 miles, and the total elevation change is about 73 feet. The hike offers 360-degree views into Big Spring Canyon and Little Spring Canyon, with the La Sal and Abajo mountains in the background. A geology guide is available at the Visitor Center or through the NPS App. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 77°F and October highs around 70°F, while July averages about 95°F. The trail is rough and uneven, so it is not accessible to wheelchairs. Dogs are not allowed, but service animals are permitted in national parks. In winter, snow or ice may make traction devices necessary. A fee is charged for the visit.
Local outfitters
- Red Desert RV Park29 mi away
- Spanish Trail RV Park29 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Best time to visit Slickrock Trail
Best months: March–May 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.
Jan
42° / 17°
4 wet · 2 snow
Feb
49° / 23°
4 wet · 1 snow
Mar
59° / 30°
5 wet · 1 snow
Apr
67° / 36°
5 wet
May
77° / 46°
4 wet
Jun
89° / 56°
3 wet
Jul
95° / 63°
5 wet
Aug
92° / 61°
6 wet
Sep
84° / 51°
5 wet
Oct
70° / 38°
5 wet
Nov
55° / 26°
4 wet · 1 snow
Dec
42° / 18°
4 wet · 2 snow
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Canyonlands-The Needles, UT, 3.1 mi away at 4,906 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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