Juniper Canyon Trail

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Lace your shoes up tight for the strenuous descent ahead along the Juniper Canyon Trail.

While the descent along the Juniper Canyon trail is definitely strenuous, what it lacks in ease it makes up for in fantastic views of the Chisos Mountains and a very unique feeling of leaving the lush, wooded peaks behind for the stark contrast of the desert lowlands below.

Beginning at a junction with the Boot Canyon Trail, follow the Juniper Canyon Trail as it climbs along a forested hillside to a saddle, wherein begins the long descent to the valley floor below. On this descent, plan to take multiple breaks for water and to rest your knees, as neglecting either will make for a miserable and potentially dangerous experience out in the backcountry.

Following the trail from the saddle, switchback along a small ridgeline for a while before dropping into Boot Canyon. After reaching the canyon floor, the trail grade eases considerably, and continues into a progressively more desert-like landscape until the trail ends at a junction with the Dodson Trail and Juniper Canyon Road.

This route can be completed as an out and back, or visitors can also leave a vehicle at the Twisted Shoe campground for the return journey.

Expect to experience a drastic change in ecosystem, as you descend from lush mountain greenery into more scrubby desert flora near the trail's end.