Hike to the False Kiva

Island In The Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, United States

False Kiva is a Class II archeological site located in an alcove in Canyonlands National Park. It's also known from the famous photograph by Wally Pacholka, showing the milky way in all it's glory. When you get there you'll be amazed by the silence of the alcove and the view ahead. You'll have a view on the Canyons and the Candlestick tower in the distance. The best time of day to photograph is late afternoon, certainly take a good hour to wait for the good light to drop.

Trail head is unmarked, starts near a guard rail, just south from the Alcove Springs parking lot. From here you just hunt for the next cairn as you walk down into the wash. This leads you down into the side of the canyon with a moderate elevation decent for the length of the trail. Just remember, look for cairns, there will be a set near the bottom of the canyon section that are prompting you to climb up a small step up, and hug the canyon wall until it reaches the actual false kiva.