Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
Almost nothing else near Moab has running water in it year round, and that changes the whole feel of the walk. You cross the creek several times and follow a ribbon of riparian green between sheer Navajo sandstone walls, finishing at a bridge whose 243 foot span ranks sixth longest in the country. Morning Glory is odd in that it runs parallel to the canyon wall instead of arching across open space, so it reads as an alcove until you are underneath it. Poison ivy grows thick right at the base.
The Trail
Creekside walk to 243 ft Morning Glory Bridge.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Moderate)
2 liters water, trail shoes, sun layer, snacks, small first-aid kit.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Big Bend Campground (Camping, 4 mi) · Ken's Lake Campground (Camping, 11 mi) · Devils Garden Campground (Camping, 12 mi) · Kayenta Campground (Dead Horse Point) (Camping, 14 mi)
More hikes nearby: The Windows & Turret Arch (Hike, 5 mi) · Corona Arch (Hike, 6 mi) · Fiery Furnace (Hike, 9 mi) · Delicate Arch (Hike, 9 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Grandstaff Canyon hike?
- 4.5 miles round trip with 462 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Grandstaff Canyon?
- Moderate. Kid rating: 3 out of 5.
- When should I hike Grandstaff Canyon?
- Best season: All year.
- Why hike Grandstaff Canyon?
- For the water. Grandstaff runs a perennial stream through a canyon of Navajo sandstone, which means shade, greenery, and cooler air in a part of Utah that offers none of those. The creek crossings are easy in normal flow and pushy after spring runoff, so time it accordingly.