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San Juan County, Utah

Looking for the best hiking in San Juan County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Juan County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near San Juan County

  • Moab, Utah

    Photograph Arches National Park

    4.9
    Located in Southeast Utah, 5 miles North of Moab, Utah. From Hwy 70, take Exit 182 towards Crescent Jct/Moab, taking Hwy 191 S for about 25 miles until you reach Arches National Park on your left.From the Visitor Center, the La Sal Mountains Viewpoint area is about a 4 mile ride on your right. Th...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Rappel Big Horn Canyon

    3.5 mi / 500 ft gain
    This canyon requires an Arches Canyoneering Permit, two 60m ropes, 100 ft of webbing, and your normal canyoneering kit. To reach the parking for the canyon, drive five miles or so into Arches until you reach a bridge.  Shortly after the bridge, there will be a pull-off to the left where you can ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Photograph the Milky Way at North Window Arch

    4.7
    Arches National Park is a must see for all photographers, but especially for astrophotography. Many of the most common places to shoot are balanced rock, and Delicate Arch and there's a good reason, these are beautiful places. North Window Arch is much less common, and even on a moonless night,...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Window Arch Loop

    5.0
    1.14 mi / 62 ft gain
    To get to the trailhead: After entering the park, keep driving along the main road until you see signs for The Windows Area (just past the Balanced Rock and a little over 9 miles from the Visitor Center).  Follow this road until it ends in a parking lot and you see the arches to your right. The ...
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  • Castle Valley, Utah

    Double Arch

    4.4
    0.56 mi / 135 ft gain
    The hike to Double Arch is a relatively flat and easy hike of 0.5 miles roundtrip. You can add this to the rest of the quick spots you may want to visit on your visit to Arches.This arch is created by two arches that shares the same stone as the foundation for their outer legs. This arch was form...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Upheaval Dome Overlook

    4.0
    1.21 mi / 200 ft gain
    Upheaval Dome is a geologic structure whose origins have remained hotly debated for years. Some scientists say it is the site of a meteorite impact while others theorize it is nothing more than a naturally occurring salt dome. No matter what the true answer is, there is no question that this shor...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Syncline Loop in Canyonlands NP

    5.0
    7.87 mi / 1955 ft gain
    Be advised, the NPS signs and maps that warn of a very difficult hike ahead are not hyperbole, as I thought at first. This hike is a loop around the famous Upheaval Dome on an unmaintained trail that leads you down over 1500 feet into the canyon, close to the Green River, then climbs back up 1500...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Summit Elephant Butte

    1.27 mi / 492 ft gain
    Elephant Butte sits at 5653 ft. and is the highest point in Arches National Park. It requires two rappels using a 60m rope. In addition to this, it requires some short sections of low fifth class scrambling that can be difficult on wet rock. The approach starts at Garden of Eden trailhead. ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Balanced Rock Loop

    0.55 mi / 62 ft gain
    Balanced rock is a short loop and can be done in a short amount of time. You can spend a few minutes walking around the rock and snap a few pictures with your family. Make sure to stay on the well marked trail in order to preserve the environment.
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  • Grand County, Utah

    Delicate Arch

    4.8
    3.18 mi / 554 ft gain
    I headed out to the trailhead because I really wanted to shoot the super moon with the Delicate Arch. It was absolutely fantastic, especially during such a full moon. Everything was bathed in a soft glow, it was like I was on another planet actually. It was amazing to sit in silence and to try to...
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  • Grand County, Utah

    Fiery Furnace Loop

    4.5
    1.53 mi / 328 ft gain
    Arches National Park is an incredible place with a variety of places to explore. One of the great places to explore is the Fiery Furnace. The Fiery Furnace requires a permit, which can be obtained at the Visitor Center after watching a short video. For the most part, they are making sure you are ...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Descend MMI Canyon

    3 mi / 700 ft gain
    For this descent you will need to be comfortable with 4th class slick rock, have two 60m ropes, and an Arches National Park canyoneering permit along with your usual canyon kit. MMI Canyon can be accessed with 4WD/AWD as long as it has not rained.  The pin on the map will take you to this locati...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Descend Lost and Found Canyon

    4 mi / 600 ft gain
    For this descent you will need two 60 meter ropes, an Arches National Park canyoneering permit, be comfortable with 4th class slick rock, and have your usual canyoneering kit.  This canyon does require some basic chimneying and canyoneering climbing techniques as well. The trailhead can be reache...
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  • Grand County, Utah

    Broken Arch and Sand Dune Arch

    5.0
    1.5 mi / 187 ft gain
    Starting at the Sand Dune Trailhead, there is a trail among the brush, which is pretty well marked. Just after starting, you'll see some fins on your right with a sign indicating the Sand Dune Arch. This is a short 0.2mi spur trail that leads to an arch surrounded by tall fins. To keep going, fo...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Hike the Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail

    5.0
    1 mi / 50 ft gain
    This short trail is located off Mill Canyon rd about 15 minutes north of Moab.  A short walk from the parking area leads to an established interpretive trail with signage of where to look for the fossils and a description of what type of dinosaur they belong to. Several different types of dinosau...
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  • Moab, Utah

    Skyline Arch

    0.48 mi / 62 ft gain
    Starting from the parking you can see the arch. At the start of the trail there is a small sign with information about Skyline Arch. From here the trail is very straightforward and leads you up to the base of the arch. This hike may be short but it still gives you great views over Salt Valley and...
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