Navajo Knobs Out and Back

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is one of the more strenuous out-and-back routes in Capitol Reef's front country. It provides an amazing view of the park's geology and surrounding area. At about 9.5 miles round-trip with almost 2,000 ft of elevation gain, this trail will take the better part of the day, but it is worth it. The park lists it as strenuous, but while it is challenging it is very do-able for people that are physically fit and used to hiking in a desert environment. Most of the trail follows rather close the mesa rim, but there is very little danger - just a lot of amazing views to take in. One of the best parts about this trail is that you get a great top-down view of the iconic Castle Rock formation.

Please stay on trail and do not hike through the extremely delicate cryptobiotic soil. Bacteria in this bumpy soil forms the building blocks for all plant life in the desert. One footstep destroys this and it takes the desert about a decade to recover. Be mindful of the rock cairns the mark the trail; you'll be able to follow the trail just fine if you keep looking for them.

Hike early in the morning and carry more water and snacks than you think you need. The sandstone layers radiate heat in hot weather, and there is very little shade along this trail.

This trail beings at the Hickman Bridge trailhead. Follow the trail through about 3 switchbacks as it continues on a steep ascent. You'll reach an intersection with the Hickman Bridge Trail only about a quarter of a mile or less into the trail. At this junction, keep right for the Rim Overlook Trail and Navajo Knobs Trail.

The midpoint overlook, known as Radio Tower spur, offers a good break spot halfway up the trail. I recommend stopping here for a bit. Just past this point the trail dips slightly and follows the cliff and provides an amazing continuous view the rest of the way up. While it does follow the cliff line, this is by no means a narrow trail at all. You'll have plenty of space and good footing.

You'll follow this rim until you come to a small canyon or drainage. You may have slight difficulty in following the trail, as one might think you would continue straight; however just go left to contour around the edge as it bends, giving you a full view of the trail you were just on.

When you approach the Knobs, it can be difficult to find the trail. The trail to the top of the Knobs approaches from the northeast and may be a bit of a short scramble for most people. Enjoy the 360-degree views looking out onto the Waterpocket Fold and the Henry Mountains. Quiet hikers may also get lucky with a bighorn sheep sighting along the upper reaches of this trail!

Lots of cryptobiotic soil, please stay on the trail and durable rock surfaces. It takes decades for the desert to recover from one foot print made in cyptobiotic soil.