Upheaval Canyon Trail

Dogs No Dogs

Features Views

This is an exposed trail with no water or shade. Be prepared for desert travel.

From the 4WD White Rim Road pullout at Upheaval Bottom, the Upheaval Canyon Trail heads through a wide, sandy wash. Follow the wash for the length of this trail. Occasional cairns directing you out of the wash mark shortcuts around obstacles. Initially, the rock walls are distant and you travel through open fields of desert scrub and pinion. Keep an eye out for a natural stone arch high on the north side of the trail about 0.5-mile from the trailhead.

As you proceed uphill along the trail, the canyon walls approach gradually and soon the canyon begins to form around you, growing deeper and narrower. Huge mountains of slickrock appear in the distance. After about 2 miles, run through the Moenkopi Shale formation where you may see a seep on the right side of the trail. Water leaks out of the base of the rock, providing enough water for the cottonwoods but not enough to drink. The Upheaval Canyon Trail ends after 3.8 miles at the junction with the southern half of the Syncline Loop Trail.