Moab Hiking Trails
The trails described here are all located near 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. The close proximity to Moab of these trails make them ideal for lower temperature morning and after-dinner walks during the warmer months.
| Trail Data |
Highest Elevation |
Elevation Gain |
Length (One Way) |
| Portal Overlook |
4,940 |
980 |
2.0 Miles |
| Corona Arch |
4,400 |
440 |
1.5 Miles |
| Fisher Towers |
5,300 |
670 |
2.2 Miles |
| Negro Bill Canyon |
4,300 |
330 |
2.0 Miles |
| Moab Rim |
4,900 |
940 |
3.0 Miles |
| Hidden Valley |
5,270 |
680 |
2.0 Miles |
| Hunters Canyon |
4,320 |
240 |
2.0 Miles |
Corona Arch Trail
Photo Courtsey: Bureau of Land Management |
Corona Arch Trail
Trailhead Location: On Utah Scenic Byway 279, 10 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.
Length of Hike: 1.5 miles to Corona Arch; allow 2 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: Constructed trail and slickrock. This is a hiking-only trail.
Area Attractions: Corona Arch (140 by 105 foot opening) and adjacent Bow Tie Arch; also views of the Colorado River and a large slickrock canyon.
Route Description: From the parking lot on the north side of the highway follow the trail up to the visitor register box near the railroad; please register. Cross the railroad track and follow an old roadbed 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 cliff. Follow 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 the short ladder up over a small ledge and follow the cairns. From this point, it is an easy walk along the broad slickrock bench to the base of Corona Arch.
Trailhead Location: 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.
Length of Hike: 2.2 miles one-way to ridge at trail's end; allow 4 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: Constructed trail.
Area Attractions: 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.
Route 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. Neither mountain bikes nor motorized vehicles are allowed on this trail.
Trailhead Location: On Utah Scenic Byway 128, three miles east of junction with U.S. 191.
Length of Hike: 2 miles to Morning Glory Bridge; allow 4 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: Constructed trail with several stream crossings. This is a hiking-only trail.
Area Attractions: Year-round stream in scenic canyon. Morning Glory Natural Bridge, which has a span of 243 feet, is the sixth longest natural rock span in the United States.
Route Description: From the parking area next to Utah 128, follow the trail up 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. The trail forks just below this canyon. Follow the trail to the right, cross the stream, and ascend a steep slope. 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 dark green, shiny leaves with serrated edges in clusters of three.
Trailhead Location: On Kane Creek Boulevard, 2.6 miles northwest of its intersection with U.S. Highway 191 in Moab (.1 mile beyond the first cattleguard).
Length of Hike: 3 miles to connection with Hidden Valley Trail.
Type of Hike: Primitive slickrock road.
Area Attractions: Good views of the Colorado River, the Moab Valley, and the sandstone fins of the Behind the Rock area.
Route 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. From the top of the sand hill, the route branches twice to the left. The first spur on the left leads to a view point 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 intersection, 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.
Note: The Moab Rim route is a shared use trail. You may encounter jeeps, mountain bikes, dirt bikes or ATV's on the route.
Trailhead Location: 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.
Length of Hike: 2 miles to pass at north end of Hidden Valley; allow 3 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: Constructed trail.
Area Attractions: Access route to Hidden Valley and Behind the Rocks, good views of the Moab Valley and Behind the Rocks. Trail connects with the southern end of the Moab Rim four-wheel-drive trail.
Route 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 trail heads north and enters Hidden Valley, which is 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. Although the Hidden Valley Trail is non-motorized, mountain bikes may sometimes be seen on it.
Hunters Canyon Trail
Photo Courtsey: Bureau of Land Management |
Hunters CanyonTrailhead Location: 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).
Length of Hike: 2 miles one-way; allow 4 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: Canyon bottom. Only hikers are allowed on this trail -- no mountain bikes allowed.
Area Attractions: Free-flowing stream during spring months with cottonwood trees and pools. A large arch is located on the right hand side of the canyon about a half mile above the trailhead.
Route 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.
Trailhead Location: JayCee Park Recreation Site on Utah Scenic Byway 279, 4.2 miles west of the Utah 279/U.S. 191 junction.
Length of Hike: 2.0 miles to Portal Overlook; allow 3 hours round trip.
Type of Hike: constructed trail and slickrockArea Attractions: Panoramic viewpoint of the Moab Valley, La Sal Mountains, Colorado River, and the south portal.
Route Description: From JayCee Park, follow the hiking trail up the Colorado towards the river "portal." Please register at the visitor box. From the visitor 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 bike riders.
NOTE: During late afternoons in the summer, this trail is largely in the shade of higher cliffs.
Cairns
Cairns, stacks of flat rocks, are often used in canyon country to mark the location of trails and hiking routes. Cairns, especially over slickrock areas, are normally placed at intervals along or at places where a route makes a turn. Visitors will find cairns used to mark the route along some of these trails.
Precautions
Suggested Equipment for Hiking in the Moab area
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drinking water, at least 1 quart per person (adequate for short, part-day hikes)
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food
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tennis or running shoes with rubbery soles (adequate for short slickrock and stream hikes)
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hiking shorts, T-shirt, and wind shirt
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sun hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses
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route map or trail guide
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first-aid kit
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insect repellent
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day pack
