Murphy Wash Trail

Murphy Point, found in the Island In The Sky district of Canyonlands NP, takes hikers on a mesa that ends at an overlook with sweeping vistas over Murphy Basin, the White Rim, and Green River. If you're looking to get away from the tourists, then head to this quiet and often overlooked trail.The trailhead is right off the main road to Grand View Point and the parking lot is pretty small, so kee...

Turn right on Highway 313 after Mesa Arch Trailhead and follow the road past Willow Flat Campground to Green River Overlook. Park at the parking lot. Climb over the railing onto the rock edge. Sit and breathe in that desert wind and distant sun. Simple as that.I recommend camping at Willow Flat to get the most out of Island in the Sky. Sites are available year-round, but they're first-come, fir...

The Aztec Butte Trail is a two pronged out and back trail for a total of two miles. The trail is single track and easy to follow. After a third of a mile the trail splits. To the left, a trail takes you to the top of a small mesa. There is an informative sign marking the way. On the other side of this mesa is an ancient stone structure called a granary. Descend back to the trail split. The othe...

This hike will take your breath away—literally. You will experience stunning views of Canyonlands National Park while literally stepping down the side of a cliff. Once you get to the valley floor, continue on to the smaller cliffs of the White Rim. To get there, follow Grand View Point Road down towards the middle of the park, then turn left at the sign for the White Rim Overlook. Park in the p...

If you're entering Canyonlands from the north (Island in the Sky side), don't miss this quick hike! This hike is fairly level the entire way and not too long—perfect for kids. Follow Grand View Point Road down towards the middle of the park, then turn left at the sign for the White Rim Overlook. Park at the parking lot and there's a sign marking the start of the trail. Pretty soon you'll hit a ...

From the parking lot, the hike is a .6 mile loop (20-30 min hike round trip). It took 10 minutes to get to the Arch. I arrived at 2am and hiked to the Arch to get some Milky Way shots, definitely arrive earlier to shoot the stars. I explored around when I got to the Arch and came up with a bunch of nice shots. I experimented and did some light painting on the Arch and some old trees.Mesa Arch c...