Slickrock Foot Trail

The Slickrock Foot Trail is located in the fairly remote Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Despite its remoteness, this hike is considered to be one of the most popular hikes in the district. As we drove into the district that afternoon a storm skirted along the southwestern edges of the park:



The Slickrock Foot Trail is actually an interpretive loop trail, which forms a large "lollipop". The trail itself offers outstanding panoramic views along the entire route, including the La Sal Mountains in the far-off distance. Despite relatively little elevation gain, the path is fairly rugged in some places, as it crosses over many sections of uneven surfaces. Hikers also need to be very vigilant in watching for cairns to help guide the way along the extended stretches of slickrock:







Just before reaching the park visitors will drive past Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument. I highly recommend stopping here to see this highly impressive petroglyph panel, which were carved by Native Americans during both the prehistoric and historic periods:

Trail: Slickrock Foot Trail
Roundtrip Distance: 2.8 Miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~50 feet
Max Elevation: ~5000 Feet
TH Location: Slickrock Foot Trailhead
Map: Canyonlands NP Trails Illustrated Map

Best Easy Day Hikes Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: this fully updated and revised edition includes trail descriptions and maps of the best short hikes that venture into some of the most scenic sections of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Mesa Arch

The short hike to Mesa Arch is likely the most popular trail in Canyonlands National Park. The easy hike leads to an impressive rock arch on the edge of a steep cliff, which offers stunning views of Buck Canyon below, and the La Sal Mountains towards the east. This is also a very popular spot to witness the sunrise. Here are a few shots of the arch and the views from the edge:








Trail: Mesa Arch
Roundtrip Distance: 0.5 Miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~50 feet
Max Elevation: ~6100 Feet
TH Location: Mesa Arch Trailhead
Map: Canyonlands NP Trails Illustrated Map

Best Easy Day Hikes Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: this fully updated and revised edition includes trail descriptions and maps of the best short hikes that venture into some of the most scenic sections of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Aztec Butte

The hike to the summit of Aztec Butte in Canyonlands National Park begins from the trailhead just north of the Green River Overlook in the Island in the Sky district. The highlight of the hike is the climb to the top of the butte, which stands roughly 170 feet above the desert floor. The short climbs requires some scrambling and the use of all fours to reach the summit. In particular, hikers will have to negotiate two sections that require ascending steep slickrock and ledges. I would not recommend attempting this hike in the rain or snow, or without treaded boots. Watch the cairns to stay on the path as you climb higher. Once at the top there is a loop trail that offers outstanding views of the surrounding desert, including views into Taylor Canyon. Here's a view of the butte from the Mesa Arch area:

At the summit hikers will visit an ancient Puebloan granary:



From the trailhead, after walking roughly one-third of a mile, hikers will reach a split in the trail. The main trail to the butte veers to the right here. However, the left fork ascends a shorter butte, and visit another ancient Puebloan granary tucked just below the rim of the summit:




Trail: Aztec Butte
Roundtrip Distance: 2 Miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~250 feet
Max Elevation: ~6100 Feet
TH Location: Aztec Butte TH
Map: Canyonlands NP Trails Illustrated Map

Best Easy Day Hikes Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: this fully updated and revised edition includes trail descriptions and maps of the best short hikes that venture into some of the most scenic sections of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Lathrop Trail in Canyonlands National Park

The hike along the Lathrop Trail in the Island in the Sky district could be one of the more underrated hikes in Canyonlands National Park. This moderate hike crosses open grassland atop a mesa to reach the canyon rim where you'll enjoy spectacular views of the Colorado River - arguably some of the best views in the park. The Lathrop Trail continues down to the White Rim Road, offering hikers a very strenuous out and back hike.

Hikers should note that the trail can be rough, uneven, and requires walking up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. In winter, there may be snow or icy conditions.

Trail: Lathrop Trail
Roundtrip Distance: 5.0 Miles
Total Elevation Gain: ~160 feet
Max Elevation: ~6100 Feet
TH Location: Lathrop Trailhead
Map: Canyonlands NP Trails Illustrated Map

Best Easy Day Hikes Canyonlands and Arches National Parks: this fully updated and revised edition includes trail descriptions and maps of the best short hikes that venture into some of the most scenic sections of Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

Utah Hikes

Arches National Park:

  * Delicate Arch

  * Double Arch and Window Arch

  * Park Avenue Trail

  * Arches National Park - An overview of the park



Canyonlands National Park:

  * Mesa Arch

  * Lathrop Trail

  * Aztec Butte

  * Slickrock Foot Trail



Bryce Canyon National Park:

  * Rim Trail - from Sunrise Point to Inspiration Point

  * Wall Street / Queen’s Garden Loop



Zion National Park:

  * Observation Point

  * Zion Canyon Overlook

  * Riverside Walk to The Narrows

  * Emerald Pools

  * Exploring The Lesser Known Areas of Zion

Utah's Incredible Backcountry Trails - This illustrated hiking guide contains 496 pages with nearly 500 color photographs to guide you through Utah's incredible backcountry. The most popular trails are generally located in the state's 12 national parks and monuments, but there are also many fantastic trails in Utah's 33 wilderness areas and other less protected places. This book will take you up mountain peaks, through redrock canyons, past Anasazi cliff dwellings, as well as to natural arches, waterfalls, hot springs and swimming holes. Each trail has clear and concise trail descriptions, detailed trail maps, distance, elevation gain, color photographs, conditions, season, and each is rated with 1-5 stars according to how interesting and enjoyable the hike is.