activities
hike
The San Rafael Swell offers some of Utah’s best hiking trails. Hikes range from mild kid-friendly to intense mega-adventures. There is something for everybody here!
From slot canyons to Rock Art panels, there is a wide variety of adventures waiting you in and around the Swell. While many of the trails are well marked, some are a little more remote and require a little effort to find. It should also be noted that many of the trails offer no amenities, so bring water, snacks and of course… a camera!
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Rochester Panel
1/2 Mile // About 1 hour
The Rochester Rock Art Panel dates back to at least 1300 AD and is one of the best examples of rock art from the Fremont Culture, a culture that included a wide range of ancient hunter-gatherer groups. The panel is at the end of a well marked, easy hike…
Joes Valley Reservoir
Joe’s Valley is situated on the Wasatch Plateau in Central Utah. Juniper, pinyon pine and sagebrush cover the area, and aspens and pines dot the surrounding hillsides. The 1,170 acre reservoir is 7000 feet above sea level and offers good fishing for cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger muskie and trophy lake. Boating, water skiing and…
Eye of Sinbad
3 Miles // About 1 hour
For a short, easy hike (3 miles roundtrip) over slickrock, the Eye of Sinbad (also known as Wild Horse Window) offers a unique and surprising destination—a hollowed slickrock chamber complete with natural oculus that frames the sky above.
Cleveland Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry
Visit the site of the densest concentration of Jurassic-aged dinosaur bones ever found. More than 12,000 bones from at least 74 individual prehistoric animals have been excavated here. See replicas of a dinosaur skeleton and dinosaur skulls, explore hands-on exhibits, and visit an excavation pit.
Swinging Bridge
The San Rafael Bridge, locally known as the swinging bridge was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. The swinging bridge was the only bridge over the San Rafael River until the 1990s. Though you can no longer drive on the bridge, it is perfectly safe to walk on. Water height of the river varies by season.
Fossil Point
A walk back in time. At Fossil Point, you can view dinosaur bones dating back to the Jurassic Era, 145 million years ago. Visitors who climb to the top of the point are rewarded with a closeup look at the huge bones of a Sauropod. Don’t forget to check out the view while you are there: from the top of the point you can see both the La Sal and Henry Mountains .
Millsite State Park
Millsite State Park is a secluded 435-acre lake at the mouth of scenic Ferron Canyon. This Utah State Park reservoir is a popular fishery and offers rainbow and cutthroat trout. An 18-hole public golf course wraps around the eastern edge of the reservoir. One famous hole is adjacent to a waterfall which channels outflow from the reservoir.
Dead Horse Point
Located to the southeast of Green River, this park offers impressive vistas and a night sky that was made for campers. Situated 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, on the edge of Canyonlands National Park, this ever-changing landscape is immense and breathtaking. From evidence of ancient hunters knapping tools for the hunt to tales of…
Black Dragon Pictograph
Black Dragon Canyon cuts through the eastern cliff line of the San Rafael Swell, a rough, wild landscape that is commonly referred to as the San Rafael Reef. Named after the rock art panel on the canyon wall that features what looks like a flying dragon. A deep, sinuous canyon adorned with Native American rock…
Arches National Park
Arches National Park features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches that more than 1 million visitors come from far and wide to see each year. Vibrant colors make these fragile geological formations a sight to see in the desert. Within the park’s more than 75,000 acres, you will find a myriad of other strange and unusual geological formations like soaring pinnacles and massive balancing rocks.
Goblin Valley State Park
Explore Goblin Valley’s otherworldly landscape, featuring unique “hoodoo” sandstone rock formations (also known as “goblins”) formed by erosion over millions of years. Home to one of the clearest, darkest night skies in the world, Goblin Valley is a popular destination for stargazers, and has been officially designated an International Dark Sky Park. As part of…
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Little Wild Horse Canyon
Little Wild Horse Canyon is a slot canyon formed by water rushing through the cracks in the sandstone rocks of the San Rafael Swell. Hikers follow the canyon as it twists and turns through brightly colored and textured rocks. This popular hike is a great introduction to canyon exploration for beginners and families.
Good Water Rim
One of the best mountain bike rides in Utah. 15 miles of singletrack following the edge of Good Water Canyon. Biked as a loop the trail is 21 miles of upper-intermediate level riding that seems to go on forever. With stunning views around every corner, you are hoping that it never ends. Intermediate riders can…
Capital Reef National Park
Cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges make this park a geological wonder well-worth exploring. Capitol Reef is a hiker’s dream with no shortage of trails. From day hiking to backcountry hiking, the area rewards any and all efforts to get out and explore nature. The park rewards visitors with large sandstone domes…
Arches National Park
1/2 Mile // About 1 hour
Arches National Park features over 2,000 natural sandstone arches that more than 1 million visitors come from far and wide to see each year. Vibrant colors make these fragile geological formations a sight to see in the desert. Within the park’s more than 75,000 acres, you will find a myriad of other strange and unusual geological formations like soaring pinnacles and massive balancing rocks.
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Ding & Dang Canyons
One outing, two canyons, countless challenges. This popular loop hike takes experienced hikers through two slot canyons. Where Little Wild Horse can be crowded, Ding and Dang Canyons offer solitude and a more challenging trek, and at times require semi-technical scrambling. For the easiest path, climb up Ding Canyon and descend Dang Canyon where you…
Robbers Roost
Where outlaws once hid out. The inhospitable terrain of Robbers Roost served as a fortress-like stronghold where outlaws kept stolen cattle and horses, stored weapons, and hid from authorities. One such outlaw who used the area as a hideout and refuge, Butch Cassidy, gained notoriety by robbing trains and banks with his gang, the Wild…