Art Museum of the Wild

Southern Utah is full of wonders. Some are pretty famous, like the towering cliffs of Zion Canyon or the iconic Delicate Arch of Arches, but some are largely unknown. And one of these lesser-known wonders is Horseshoe Canyon on the outer regions of Canyonlands National Park. It’s one of our favorite places in the whole state. So let’s talk a little bit about is, what makes it so cool, and what you should know in order to visit Horseshoe Canyon, the Art Museum of the Wild.

Photo by Patrick Hendry via unsplash.com

What Makes Horseshoe Canyon Special?

Horseshoe Canyon is a scenic canyon, in a very beautiful part of Southern Utah. That alone would merit a recommendation from us here at the Lodge. But what really makes this place so amazing is the extensive amount of American Indian petroglyphs that cover the walls of the canyon. It contains some of the most significant pictographs in North America. It’s like stepping through time and seeing how the native peoples of Southern Utah lived, what they valued, and what they created, in a place that is largely unchanged after all these millennia. It’s a really great, and awe-inspiring experience.

The Horseshoe Canyon trail is approximately 6 miles round-trip, and is considered moderately difficult. As you continue into the canyon you will come across various “galleries” of rock art. The best one being “The Great Gallery.” (That’s it’s official name.) It has the most images per square foot, and includes many life-sized human figures. This is the highlight of the hike.

Photo by Alex Moliski via unsplash.com

What to Known Before You Visit

Horseshoe Canyon is located on the far edges of Canyonlands National Park, between the towns of Hanksville and Green River. And although it is part of Canyonlands, it’s actually easier to access from the other side, by going through Capitol Reef National Park (and we’ve got some ideas for you, if you want add a few days in Capitol Reef to your itinerary.) You can see where to access Horseshoe Canyon here on Google Maps. The turnoff is clearly marked on Highway 24. So take that exit and continue for about 30 miles on a graded dirt road until you reach the canyon.

There is no camping permitted in Horseshoe Canyon. You will need to find accommodations elsewhere, or camp on nearby BLM land. A pit toilet is available at the trailhead of the canyon. There are no other services in the immediate vicinity, so make sure you have adequate amounts of fuel, food, and especially water when going to check out Horseshoe Canyon.

During the spring and fall every Saturday, there is a ranger-lead tour of Horseshoe Canyon. These start at 9 a.m. There is no reservation system, it’s first-come-first-serve. And groups are limited to 20 people. If you can, we recommend going on one of these tours, since the rangers can give you lots of detailed information about this amazing place.

Also, please don’t try to deface or remove anything from the galleries of Horseshoe Canyon. You will go to prison. The state of Utah and the federal government are very strict about this. And more importantly, you will destroy a historical site of immersible value.

For more information about Horseshoe Canyon, you should contact the Hans Flat Ranger Station at (435) 719–2218. Or check out the official website here.

Photo by Ahmer Kalam via unsplash.com

Go See Something Incredible

Horseshoe Canyon is a breathtaking and sacred place. You should go visit it the next time you’re planning a Southern Utah trip. We think you’ll love it!