GPS
Moab Area Hiking Trails
Great hiking doesn't end with your visits to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. The Moab area contains a large number of trails to suit any taste and experience level. From cool stream-side hikes (Negro Bill & Hunter Canyons) to spectacular sandstone arches (Corona Arch), the Moab area is full of exciting day-hikes suitable for the entire family.
The day-hikes described on this page are all located within a one-half hour drive of Moab. The closest trailhead to town is about 2 miles from downtown, while the farthest away is 23 miles. All of the trails are suitable for half-day outings. The Hidden Valley and Moab Rim Trails can be combined for a longer one-way hike. Hiking times described represent the number of hours needed to complete a leisurely round trip hike.
Trail Summary
| Trail | Highest Elevation | Elevation Gain | Length (one-way) |
|
| 1 | Portal Overlook | 4,940 | 980 | 2.0 Miles |
| 2 | Corona Arch | 4,400 | 440 | 1.5 Miles |
| 3 | Fisher Towers Trail | 5,300 | 670 | 2.2 Miles |
| 4 | Negro Bill Canyon | 4,300 | 330 | 2.0 Miles |
| 5 | Moab Rim | 4,900 | 940 | 3.0 Miles |
| 6 | Hidden Valley | 5,270 | 680 | 2.0 Miles |
| 7 | Hunter Canyon | 4,320 | 240 | 2.0 Miles |
1. Portal Overlook Trail
Highlights
Panoramic views of the Moab Valley, the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado
River, and the south portal.
Length
2.0 miles to Portal Overlook; allow 3 hours round trip
Trailhead
At JayCee Park Recreation Site on Utah Scenic Byway 279, 4.2 miles west
of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.
Description
From JayCee Park, follow the hiking trail up the Colorado towards the river "portal. " From
the trailside visitor register box, the trail begins its climb to the viewpoint.
After several switchbacks, the trail follows a cairned route up "ramps" of
Kayenta sandstone to the overlook. Be cautious around the overlook as there
are no safety fences. This trail is frequently used by mountain bikers
riding down from the mesa top.
Note: During late afternoons in the summer, this trail is largely in the shade of higher cliffs.
2. Corona Arch Trail
Highlights
Corona Arch (140 by 105 foot opening) and adjacent Bow Tie Arch;
also views of the Colorado River and a large slickrock canyon.
Length
1.5 miles to Corona Arch; allow 2 hours round trip.
Trailhead
On Utah Scenic Byway 279, 10 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S.
191 junction.
Description
From the parking lot on the north side of the highway follow
the trial up to the visitor register box near the railroad; please register.
Cross the railroad track and follow an old road bed up through a gap in
the rim. From the gap, follow the cairns up the wash for about 100 yards
where the trail swings to the left.
Follow the trail and cairns over a low sandy pass and then down towards the base of a large cliffs. Continue along the base of the cliff to the first safety cable and around to the second cable where steps have been cut into the slickrock. Corona Arch is visible from this point. From the top of the second cable climb up over a short ledge and follow the cairns up to the top of the large bench. From this point, it is an easy walk along the broad slickrock bench to the base of Corona Arch.
3. Fisher Towers Trail
Highlights
Close up views of the Fisher Towers and Onion Creek area. Distant
views include the Colorado River, Castle Valley, Fisher Mesa, and the Book
Cliffs.
Length
2.2 miles one-way to ridge at trail's end; allow 4 hours
round trip.
Trailhead
Off Utah Scenic Byway 128. At 21 miles east of the Utah 128/US
191 junction, turn right and go 2.2 miles on an improved dirt road to a
parking lot.
Description
From the parking lot (please sign in at register box), the
trail goes down a short set of steps and then runs to the left out onto
a small slickrock-covered ridge. Follow the ridge away from the main cliffs
until just after it narrows and then go left down into the ravine through
a small cut on the left side of the ridge. From the bottom of the ravine
the trail, heads steeply up and then begins to wind directly beneath the
Fisher Towers. After swinging around the largest tower, The Titan, the
trail ascends and ends on a ridge with a panoramic view.
The Fisher Towers are composed of Moenkopi and Cutler sandstones, and have eroded into many fantastical shapes. Climbers occasionally scale these mudstone towers (be cautious of hiking directly below a climber!).
Note: This trail has a western exposure and can be exceptionally hot on summer afternoons. Mountain bikes are not allowed on this trail.
4. Negro Bill Canyon
Highlights
Perennial clear stream in scenic canyon and Morning Glory Natural Bridge,
which is 243 feet long and the sixth-longest natural rock span in the
United States.
Length
2 miles to Morning Glory Bridge; allow 4 hours round trip.
Trailhead
On Utah Scenic Byway 128, three miles east of junction with U.S. 191.
Description
From the parking area next to Utah 128, follow the trail that starts on
the left side of the stream. Keep going upstream for about 1.5 miles.
Morning Glory Natural Bridge is located at the end of the second side
canyon on the right. Follow the trail to where it crosses the stream
at the mouth of the side canyon. Cross the stream, then follow the trial
up a steep slope into the side canyon. Morning Glory Bridge is located
at the end of the trail about 0.5 miles up the canyon from the stream.
Do not touch the poison ivy that grows below the pool under the bridge!
Poison ivy plants have shiny leaves with serrated edges in dusters of
three.
5. Moab Rim Trail
Highlights
Good views of the Colorado River, the Moab Valley, and the sandstone fins
of the Behind the Rocks area.
Length
3 miles to connection with Hidden Valley Trail.
Trailhead
On Kane Creek Boulevard, 2.6 miles northwest of its intersection with U.S.
Highway 191 in Moab (.1 mile beyond the first cattle-guard).
Description
From the parking area, follow the 4-wheel-drive vehicle route up the slickrock
ramps of Kayenta sandstone. After about 1.4 miles, the route reaches
a viewpoint of the Moab Valley. Follow the vehicle route south and then
down through a slickrock area located between two large domes of Navajo
sandstone. At the base of the slickrock area, the route continues along
a wash bottom and then up a large sand hill (several routes up). From
the top of the sand hill, the route branches twice to the left. The first
spur on the left leads to a viewpoint high above Spanish Valley. The
second spur route ends after 200 yards at another view point. Ahead to
the south, the view is dominated by a long ridge of massive sandstone
fins. From the second spur, the main route drops down into a wash and
then climbs in an easterly direction to its terminus just below the pass
to Hidden Valley.
6. Hidden Valley Trail
Highlights
Good views of the Moab Valley and Behind the Rocks. Trail connects
with the southern end of the Moab Rim four-wheel drive trail.
Length
2 miles to pass at north end of Hid den Valley; allow 3 hours
round trip.
Trailhead
Drive 3 miles south from Moab on U.S. 191 and turn right
onto Angel Rock Road. After two blocks, turn right onto Rimrock Road and
drive to parking area.
Description
From the parking area, follow the trail up to the base of the
Moab Rim and then ascend a series of steep switchbacks. At the top of the
switchbacks, the trial heads north and enters Hidden Valley - a broad shelf
between the top of the Moab Rim and Spanish Valley. Follow the trail to
a low rise that separates the two halves of Hidden Valley and continue
along through the northern section to a point where the trail swings to
the left and goes over a low pass. At the pass, the hiker will be rewarded
with a view of the large sandstone fins of the Behind the Rocks area. The
trail continues down the west side of the pass for about 1/3 mile where
it meets the Moab Rim four-wheel-drive trail. The hike may be extended
to the Colorado River by following the Moab Rim four-wheel-drive trail
to its starting point.
NOTE: During the late afternoon, in the summer, this trail is largely in the shade of higher cliffs.
7. Hunter Canyon
Highlights
Free-flowing stream during spring months with cottonwood trees
and pools. A large arch is located high on the right-hand side of the canyon
about a half mile from the trailhead.
Length
2 miles one-way; allow 4 hours
round trip.
Trailhead
On Kane Creek Canyon Road 7.5 miles west of its intersection
with U.S. 191 (Canyon is on the left, one mile beyond the switchbacks).
Description
From the parking area at the mouth of the canyon, follow the
hiker-established path about two miles up the canyon until the route gets
blocked by brush.