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Grandstaff Hiking Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate Intermediate
 4.5 (83)
  1. Areas
  2. UT
  3. …Southeastern Utah
  4. …Moab
  5. Grandstaff Canyon WSA
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“A splendid canyon jaunt culminating with the sixth longest natural rock span in the U.S. ”

Nicholas Shannon
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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.5

KM

Out and Back

4,295' 1,309 m

High

3,998' 1,219 m

Low

314' 96 m

Up

314' 96 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Views

Hiking and running only.

Overview

The Grandstaff Hiking Trail features a perennial stream in its scenic canyon. Morning Glory Natural Bridge, which has a span of 243 feet, is the sixth longest natural rock span in the United States.

Need to Know

Responsible Recreation:
It is important to stay on the trail. Our trails are surrounded by living soil called Biocrust. Off-trail travel damages the deserts delicate ecosystem for decades after. Find out more about our soil from local non-profit: sciencemoab.org/radio/

Temperatures can reach upwards of 100 degrees on the trail. Exposure to the sun is extreme. Always hike with enough water and electrolytes for the length of your hike and the temperature of the season. It is important to have more water than you might expect.

Always let someone know where you are and when you expect to be back. Cell service is limited. Always stay found. If lost, stay where you are.

Description

From the parking area next to Utah 128, follow the obvious trail up the left side of the stream. As the canyon goes on, the trail crosses the stream a handful of times and goes up or down a some small rock ledges. Floods have washed out some parts of the trail in recent years, making it a bit tricker than it used to be, but it remains easy enough to follow.

It pays to take your time, and remember to look up often to appreciate the towering sandstone walls, which are rich with colorful streaks, ripple textures, and yawning alcoves. Pause to splash in the water if the sun feels too intense, because it's worth it to make the ~1.5 miles to the natural bridge.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge is located at the end of the second side canyon on the right. The trail forks just below this canyon. Follow the trail to the right, cross the stream and ascend a little slope. Morning Glory Bridge is located at the end of the trail about 0.5 miles up the canyon from the stream. It's called a natural bridge because it spans a watercourse, which in this case is a trickling spring coming out beneath the canyon wall. This bridge also happens to be one of the largest natural rock spans in the country.

Flora & Fauna

Do NOT touch the poison ivy that grows below the pool under the bridge! Poison ivy plants have dark green, shiny leaves with serrated edges in clusters of three.

Contacts

Land Manager: BLM Utah - Moab Field Office

Shared By:

Nicholas Shannon with improvements by Jesse Weber
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.5 from 83 votes

#1

in Grandstaff Canyon WSA

#41

Overall
  4.5 from 83 votes
5 Star
64%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
8%
2 Star
2%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Grandstaff Canyon WSA

#8

in Utah

#41

Overall
118 Views Last Month
44,088 Since Mar 19, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
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Photos

Morning Glory Arch is a nice treat after a hike in Grandstaff Canyon.
Nov 30, 2015 near Moab, UT
Creek along the trail
Nov 28, 2017 near Moab, UT
Great canyon to explore if you're looking for a short adventure.
Nov 30, 2015 near Moab, UT
Morning Glory Bridge
Nov 28, 2017 near Moab, UT
The Arch.
Mar 2, 2021 near Moab, UT
Sandy canyon singletrack trail in Grandstaff Canyon.
Apr 4, 2015 near Moab, UT

2 Comments

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Check-Ins

Aug 20, 2024
Jeremy Francisco
Beautiful hike. There is a lot of poison ivy by the trail. It was avoidable, but be careful. — 2h 28m
Apr 1, 2024
Bill Cessnun
13 creek crossings 5mi — 2h 25m
Oct 13, 2023
Moriah Stramel
May 28, 2023
Allie Petersen
Feb 9, 2023
Alex Puffer
sign posted at trailhead stated that a flash flood washed out portions of the trail. I found this to be true. You'll get your feet wet with the wat…
Nov 24, 2022
Tarita Fisher Boersma
With Bill, Claire, David, Mesa and Maeby. Thanksgiving 2022! 4.8mi — 2h 32m
May 7, 2022
Charles Barton
Nov 10, 2021
C H

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