The Horseshoe Canyon hike to the Great Gallery rock art site in Utah is considered “an absolute must see” for its multiple impressive Native American rock art sites – but even without the art, the hike offers spectacular scenery. Most of the route is along the breathtaking Horseshoe Canyon, which was originally called the Barrier Canyon. Located in Canyonlands National Park in a detached section to the main park (Horseshoe Canyon was added to Canyonlands in 1971), there are already a few cars at the trailhead when I arrive around 8am.
The well-trodden hiking trail heads towards the rim of Horseshoe Canyon, with some great views of the deep canyon as you get closer.
A short detour to a rock outcrop perched above the canyon provides an even better view.
The deep canyon was formed in the mid-Jurassic period (144 to 208 million years ago) and consists of Navajo Sandstone, the youngest, dominant rock layer in Canyonlands.
Just before the trail starts its descent into Horseshoe Canyon, it passes an old water trough which dates back to the early 1900s, when ranchers built several stock trails into Horseshoe Canyon so livestock could reach water and feed in the canyon bottom. (A pumping operations filled fill a large steel water tank on the canyon rim.)
The trail now starts to gradually descend… the hiking trail follows the route of a road into the canyon constructed during oil exploration in the 1920s. (No successful wells or mines were ever established around Horseshoe Canyon.)
The views keep unfolding as the trail drops below the rim, reaching a horse gate at one of the narrowest points. (Hikers can pass through next to the locked gate, which is to prevent horses entering without a permit.)
Just after the gate are some of the best views both up and down Horseshoe Canyon.
The trail (now appearing less like a road) follows a winding path down a gap in the cliff-line as it descends a little more steeply.
The trail soon reaches the canyon floor, and continues up the wide Horseshoe Canyon.
Although the scale of the canyon is not quite the same as the Grand Canyon, it’s still an impressive sight, with the vertical walls on both sides Horseshoe Canyon stretching as far as the eye can see.
The trail passes the first of four rock art galleries; High Gallery is high up on the canyon wall.
It’s a short distance to the next gallery, which is on the opposite side of the canyon. Horseshoe Gallery also has distinctive Barrier Canyon Style figures, which are visible on the base of the canyon wall from some distance away.
Continuing along Horseshoe Canyon there’s more dramatic scenery as the route alternates between both sides of the canyon. There are small puddles of water that remain from recent rain, which support mature cottonwood trees.
Soon the third rock art site is in sight, which is located at the base of an enormous, natural alcove in the cliff.
Called the Alcove Gallery, it contains a long panel of art, some of it partly obscured behind rockfall.
There’s a final, long stretch through the winding canyon to the last rock art site. Some of the most impressive cliffs are along this section, with the smooth canyon walls stretching vertically up from the sandy canyon floor.
More large cottonwood trees are sustained by the Barrier Creek, which is trickling along the canyon floor.
The combination of cool, sheltered stretches and towering cliffs make this one of the mosty enjoyable sections of the Horsehoe Canyon hike.
Although the water is barely a trickle, debris wedged into the trees and rocks indicate the height and power of Barrier Creek after heavy rain.
There’s one, last sweeping bend in the canyon before the final rock art site.
The spectacular Great Gallery marks the end of the Horseshoe Canyon hike – although you could continue for many more miles along the canyon. Described as the “Louvre of the Southwest”, the Great Gallery is considered the most impressive collection of rock art in the western United States. About 60 figures, many life-size, are spread over multiple panels.
This is far as I go – on a cooler day I would have been inclined to venture for another hour or two along the canyon. It’s an easy and pleasant walk back along Horseshoe Canyon, with about half the walk still in the shade even though it’s nearing midday.
I’m starting to encounter more people, including a ranger who is leading an informal tour to the Great Gallery (there is often a free ranger-led tour on Saturdays – but check with the NPS office as the frequency seems to be a little irregular).
Although I’m not looking forward to the climb back out of the canyon, it’s only about 600 feet (200m) and it’s a very gently grade.
I’m back at the car by midday; I had allowed for a full day, not really being sure how long the hike would take. I’m glad I started early, both to avoid the crowds and the afternoon heat, but you can easily do the return hike in four hours.
Getting to Horseshoe Canyon
The Horseshoe Canyon trailhead is located in east central Utah between Moab and Hanksville, and accessed via the Interstate 70 from near Green River. Take Utah State Route 24 (exit 149) for about 25 miles (40km) towards Goblin Valley State Park. Just after the turn-off to Goblin Valley State Park on the left, turn right onto Lower San Rafael Road. Follow Lower San Rafael Road for 29.3 miles (47km), ignoring the first signposted turn-off to “Horseshoe Canyon” on the right. Turn right at the second Horseshoe Canyon junction (Mailbox Road), which descends 1.7 miles (2.8km) to the trailhead.
San Rafael Road is unsealed but suitable for all cars, although an SUV is preferable. A 4WD may be required after rain, and there is one section where from time-to-time sand dunes may encroach on the road.
More Information
- National Park Service (NPS) – Horseshoe Canyon
- GJ Hikes – Horseshoe Canyon
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