About Grand Gulch
Grand Gulch is a long, winding canyon system on Cedar Mesa in southeastern Utah. It lies within the Bears Ears National Monument area and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is known for its many Ancestral Puebloan ruins and rock art, its sandy canyon floor and its relative quiet compared with Utah’s busier national parks. It is a primitive area: there are no developed campsites, no maintained trail surface in many sections and limited services.
Because the canyon is long and has many side canyons, it supports everything from a short day hike to a multi-day backpacking trip of several days. For a gentler introduction to the same kind of country, see easy hikes in Canyonlands National Park.
Permits and rules
Permits are required for both day hiking and overnight trips. Overnight permits are commonly booked in advance through the federal recreation reservation system, and the Kane Gulch Ranger Station is the main contact point for day-use permits and information. Fees, quotas, hours and reservation rules change, so confirm the current details with the BLM before you travel.
Commonly reported rules include:
- Pets are not allowed in the Grand Gulch area.
- Campfires are not permitted in the canyons.
- Ruins, pottery, rock art and artifacts must not be touched, moved or taken.
- Human waste rules are strict in this primitive area; check whether you must pack it out.
Main routes
Distances below are approximate and vary by source.
- Kane Gulch to Junction Ruin: an out-and-back day or overnight hike of about 4 miles each way, descending several hundred feet into the canyon. This is the most common introduction.
- Bullet Canyon: a trail of around 7 miles down a side canyon to Grand Gulch, passing sites such as Jailhouse Ruin and the Perfect Kiva.
- Kane Gulch to Bullet Canyon: a popular point-to-point backpacking trip of about 23 miles or more, usually over 3 days, which requires a vehicle shuttle between trailheads.
- Longer trips: some groups walk the canyon over four to five days or more, such as a route from Collins Spring Trailhead to Kane Gulch, which one magazine described as about 45 miles over five days.
If you are comparing multi-day routes elsewhere, this is a shorter and more contained trip than the long desert route covered in our Grand Enchantment Trail overview.
Ruins and sights
Highlights reported along the main routes include Junction Ruin, Turkey Pen Ruin, Jailhouse Ruin, the Big Man Panel, Bannister Ruin, Stimper Arch and the Perfect Kiva. Most sites are protected, so look but do not touch. Do not sit or lean on walls, and do not camp in or near ruins. Stay on durable surfaces to avoid damaging the fragile desert soil and archaeology.
Water, camping and conditions
Water in the canyon is variable, from dry wash to flowing sections or seeps. Treat any water you collect, and carry enough backup, particularly on a dry year. Walking is often in deep sand, with willows, slickrock and frequent stream crossings. Many hikers find lighter trail shoes and gaiters useful, and some wear neoprene socks when there is water. There are no designated campsites, so follow Leave No Trace principles and camp well away from ruins and water sources.
Flash floods and safety
Canyons can flood quickly, even when rain falls miles away. Check the forecast, watch for thunderclouds, and move to higher ground at the first sign of rain. Avoid camping in a narrow wash during unsettled weather. Cell coverage is poor to nonexistent, so tell someone your route and return date, and consider a satellite messenger. Sun exposure and heat also matter in the warmer months.
Best season
Spring and fall are the commonly recommended seasons, with mild daytime temperatures. Summer is hot, with a monsoon thunderstorm season that raises flash flood risk. Winter can be cold, and the canyons may have ice or snow. Permit systems often focus on the busier spring and fall months.
Trip planning checklist
- Choose your route and trip length, and arrange a shuttle if needed.
- Confirm permits, fees and rules directly with the BLM.
- Pack water treatment, extra water capacity and navigation tools.
- Check weather and flash flood risk before you start and each morning.
- Plan to carry out all waste and follow ruin etiquette.