Canyonlands National Park: Horseshoe Canyon
This 7.1-miler in redrock country showcases art you'll never see in a big-city gallery--some of the world's best-preserved pictographs and petroglyphs.
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
Trail Facts
- Distance: 11.4
Waypoints
HCT001
Location: 38.473902, -110.200467
Hike south from the trailhead.
HCT002
Location: 38.469582, -110.199799
Continue S; prepare for nonstop 600-ft. descent. In .5 mi., trail gently rounds to N
HCT003
Location: 38.466182, -110.197088
Hike through ankle-deep sand on .4-mi. descent to canyon floor; watch for cairns
HCT004
Location: 38.466556, -110.194947
Travel S along flat canyon bottom bordered by massive redrock cliffs
HCT005
Location: 38.466148, -110.194813
Continue straight at three-way.
HCT006
Location: 38.464082, -110.194759
Pass a side canyon.
HCT007
Location: 38.461368, -110.197656
High Gallery: Climb a sandy slope to the base of the cliffs to view the pictographs. Leave No Trace: Do not touch or remove archeological objects; it’s against the law. Take photos only
HCT008
Location: 38.462024, -110.199201
Horseshoe Shelter: Walls are covered with rock art painted by nomadic tribes 3,000 yrs. ago. Some intricate panels stand 6 ft. tall and show humans, ghostlike figures, and animals.
HCT009
Location: 38.458682, -110.203767
Canyon winds to the S; cottonwoods provide shade
HCT010
Location: 38.455706, -110.205789
Alcove Gallery: More artwork in this area
HCT011
Location: 38.45206, -110.205746
Follow redrock corridor to W
HCT012
Location: 38.44717, -110.210297
Round bend, then head W
HCT013
Location: 38.446867, -110.213106
Great Gallery: More life-sized pictographs and petroglyphs on a giant rock canvas. Return to trailhead
Horseshoe Canyon
Location: 38.466577, -110.194867
©Mike Trottier
Pictographs
Location: 38.462015, -110.199008
©Mike Trottier
The Shelter
Location: 38.46194, -110.198922
©Mike Trottier
The Great Gallery
Location: 38.446951, -110.21287
©Mike Trottier
The Great Gallery
Location: 38.4468, -110.21287
©Mike Trottier
