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The Maze
The Maze and Orange Cliffs
With its confusing network of steep-walled canyons, the Maze remains
the least accessible district of Canyonlands. Due to the district's
remoteness and the difficulty of roads and trails, travel to the
Maze I requires more time, as well as a greater I degree of self-sufficiency.
Rarely do visitors spend less than three days in the Maze, and
the area can easily absorb a week-long trip.
Maze visitors should be skilled in the use of topographic maps
and, if traveling by vehicle, in technical four wheel driving.
The Orange Cliffs Unit of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
shares Canyonlands National Park's western boundary and is administered
under the same back country management plan and reservation system.
While some regulations differ, the information in this paper should
assist Orange Cliffs visitors in planning their trips to this
area.
Location
The Hans Flat Ranger Station is two and one-half hours from Green
River, Utah. From 1-70, take Utah Highway 24 south for 24 miles.
A left hand turn just beyond the turnoff to Goblin Valley State
Park will take you along a two-wheel-drive dirt road 46 miles
(76 km) east to the ranger station. In addition, a four-wheel-drive
route leads north from Utah Highway 95 near Hite. Area two-wheel-drive
roads may become four-wheel drive or even impassable when it snows
or rains heavily.
Ranger station
The Hans Flat Ranger Station is open 8 am to 4:30 pm, spring through
fall only. There is a small sales area with books and maps. There
are no facilities, no entrance fees and no potable water sources
in the Maze.
Hiking trails
Trails in the Maze are primitive and lead into canyons and to
various viewpoints. Due to the nature and depth of Maze canyons,
access to them is severely limited. Routes into the canyons are
cairned from mesa top to canyon bottom, but routes through washes
are often unmarked. Many of the canyons look similar and are difficult
to identify without a topographic map. All Maze routes are steep
and have some exposure to cliff edges. The Maze Overlook Trail
and many other routes in the district require some basic climbing
maneuvers and may be uncomfortable for hikers who dislike heights.
These routes may require the negotiation of pour offs, steep slickrock,
or steps carved into the rock. A 25-foot length of rope is often
essential for raising and lowering packs in difficult sections.
Most trailheads start from four wheel drive roads. Visitors with
two wheel drive vehicles may park at the North Point Road junction,
approximately 2.5 miles southeast of the Hans Flat Ranger Station,
and hike 15 miles to the Maze Overlook. Depending on the vehicle,
hikers may also be able to negotiate the 14 mile road to park
at the top of the Flint Trail switchbacks.
Backpackers stay in at-large camping zones. There are several
springs in the canyons of the Maze, but there is no water above
the canyon rims. Inquire at the Hans Flat Ranger Station for more
information.
Back country roads
Four wheel drive roads in the Maze are extremely difficult, present
considerable risk of vehicle damage, and should not he attempted
by inexperienced drivers. A high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle
is required for all Maze back country roads.
The most commonly used road in the Maze is the Flint Trail, which
traverses slopes of clay that are extremely slippery when wet.
The Flint Trail is usually closed during winter.
The road around Teapot Canyon toward the Land of Standing Rocks
is considered very difficult under any conditions and involves
considerable risk of vehicle damage. Four-wheel drivers in the
Maze should be prepared to make basic road or vehicle repairs
and should carry the following items: at least one, full-size
spare tire, extra gas, extra water, a shovel, a high-lift jack
and, from October to April, chains for all four tires.
Back country vehicle campers and mountain bikers stay in designated
vehicle sites and must provide their own washable, reusable toilet
systems. Twenty campsites are arranged in seventeen locations.
Only the Doll House and Maze Overlook have space for more than
one group.
No water is available along Maze four wheel drive roads.
Horseshoe Canyon
Horseshoe Canyon, a detached unit of Canyonlands National Park,
was added in 1971. Its intriguing rock art is considered by many
to be the most significant in North America. The Great Gallery,
the best known and most spectacular panel in Horseshoe Canyon,
includes well-preserved, life-sized figures with intricate designs.
Other impressive sights include spring wildflowers, sheer sandstone
walls, and magnificent cottonwood trees which shade the canyon
floor.
Location
Horseshoe Canyon is 32 miles east of Utah Highway 24 via a two
wheel drive, graded dirt road. There is also a two-wheel-drive,
high-clearance road accessing the canyon from Green River. Area
two-wheel-drive roads may become four-wheel drive or even impassable
when it snows or rains heavily.
Camping & Hiking
At Horseshoe Canyon, visitors may camp at the west rim trailhead
on public land administered by the Bureau of Land Management.
A vault toilet is provided but there is no water. The Great Gallery
is a 7.0 mile round trip hike from the park boundary, with a descent
of 750 feet, and requires roughly six hours. The canyon is limited
to day use within the park boundary. Pets are prohibited.
Interpretive activities
Rangers lead guided hikes through Horseshoe Canyon spring through
fall. Contact the Hans Flat Ranger Station in the Maze for dates
and times.
For More Information
Phone: (435)259-7164
Plan your own adventure! Use the Utah Parks Adventure Guide to
find places to stay, places to eat, things to do and how to get
there...
The Districts:
Island in the Sky
The Needles
The Maze
The Rivers
Go off the Beaten Path with Ranger Bart... Bart Anderson (our
resident naturalist and historian) gives insights to the sights
Just Click on the Hat!
The Districts:
Island in the Sky
The Needles
The Maze
The Rivers