Grandstaff Hiking Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Spring · Views

The Grandstaff Hiking Trail features a perennial stream in its scenic canyon. Morning Glory Natural Bridge, which has a span of 243 feet, is the sixth longest natural rock span in the United States.

Responsible Recreation:
It is important to stay on the trail. Our trails are surrounded by living soil called Biocrust. Off-trail travel damages the deserts delicate ecosystem for decades after. Find out more about our soil from local non-profit: sciencemoab.org/radio/

Temperatures can reach upwards of 100 degrees on the trail. Exposure to the sun is extreme. Always run with enough water and electrolytes for the length of your run and the temperature of the season. It is important to have more water than you might expect.

Always let someone know where you are and when you expect to be back. Cell service is limited. Always stay found. If lost, stay where you are.

Map
USGS Quad: Moab, Utah

From the parking area next to Utah 128, follow the obvious trail up the left side of the stream. As the canyon goes on, the trail crosses the stream a handful of times and goes up or down a some small rock ledges. Floods have washed out some parts of the trail in recent years, making it a bit tricker than it used to be, but it remains easy enough to follow.

It pays to take your time, and remember to look up often to appreciate the towering sandstone walls, which are rich with colorful streaks, ripple textures, and yawning alcoves. Pause to splash in the water if the sun feels too intense, because it's worth it to make the ~1.5 miles to the natural bridge.

Morning Glory Natural Bridge is located at the end of the second side canyon on the right. The trail forks just below this canyon. Follow the trail to the right, cross the stream and ascend a little slope. Morning Glory Bridge is located at the end of the trail about 0.5 miles up the canyon from the stream. It's called a natural bridge because it spans a watercourse, which in this case is a trickling spring coming out beneath the canyon wall. This bridge also happens to be one of the largest natural rock spans in the country.

Do NOT touch the poison ivy that grows below the pool under the bridge! Poison ivy plants have dark green, shiny leaves with serrated edges in clusters of three.