Salt Wash to the San Rafael River

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Features Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Salt Wash is recommended for those looking to experience all that the San Rafael canyons have to offer in one overnight trip. The trek offers amazing vistas, huge canyon walls, and unbelievably starry skies. The canyon walls get more impressive as you head northeast, where you eventually come to a confluence with the San Rafael River and the Little Grand Canyon.

Another big highlight is the rich human history in this canyon. Ute rock art panels can be found early in the hike and include the Buffalo Hunt, and Turtle panels. Impressive Fremont-style rock art can also be seen from the canyon floor if you keep your eyes open, as well as the circle foundations of ancient ruins. - Overview by McKay Isham, Outdoor Project.

This is not your typical hike on a trail. It's largely an off-trail route that follows use paths, livestock/game trails, and the flowing streambed. The main route is easy to follow in some places, but easy to lose in others. Be prepared for a bit of bushwhacking, getting wet, and routefinding through varied terrain. Watch weather conditions and avoid any chance of getting caught in a flash flood.

This 12-mile out-and-back trip could be done as a day trip, but an overnight trip is best so you can have time to enjoy the scenery and seek out the elusive rock art panels. Being public land, this trip offers many freedoms including the ability to choose your own camp spot.

One option is to camp near the car at the trailhead and do the canyon in a day. However, nothing is better than backpacking deep into a canyon in Utah and spending a quiet night under the stars. Be sure to practice Leave No Trace, and only use camp spots that have clearly been used before, rather than clearing your own.

The best starting point is a spot along Dutch Flat Rd / Little Wedge Rd that's marked "Salt Wash Access" on BLM maps. From there, navigate an old road and a footpath down into Salt Wash. Continue down-canyon using a mix of sandy trails, river beach, and sometimes the stream itself.

Keep a keen eye out for rock art panels and ruins of structures. These are mostly located away from the main path, so you'll have to look up and around to spot them, or explore side trails to find them.

You can hike and distance down and back in this canyon, and most of the historic sites are found in the first few miles. If you have the time and ability, however, it's highly rewarding to meet the San Rafael River at Salt Wash's confluence within the Little Grand Canyon. The water in the river may also be better for filtering, but any water in these canyons is likely to be very silty. Better to bring plenty of your own.