Halls Creek Narrows Route in Capitol Reef National Park

Halls Creek Narrows Route

The route to Halls Creek Narrows traverses a trail between the high cliffs of Hall Mesa on one side and the slickrock slopes of the Waterpocket Fold on the other.

Plan Around Halls Creek Narrows Route

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Halls Creek Narrows Route Details

The route to Halls Creek Narrows traverses a trail between the high cliffs of Hall Mesa on one side and the slickrock slopes of the Waterpocket Fold on the other. There are numerous side canyons along the way, and route leads finally to the 3.8-mile-long Halls Creek Narrows, deeply cut into the white Navajo sandstone. Here, there's a perennial stream and shade provided by the canyon walls. The hike begins with a great view at Halls Creek Overlook before descending steeply into the Halls Creek Drainage. Although the hike is unmarked, visitors will spend the rest of their time hiking down canyon to the narrows. At the narrows, Halls Creek suddenly chages course and cuts into the Navajo sandstone on the west side of the canyon. For the next 3.8 miles, the creek winds through the deep, narrow canyon and hikers may have to walk through some water. Hikers who don't want to enter the narrows can continue south in the main drainage by following the route over Hall Divide, which blocks the main canyon just beyond the entrance to the narrows. To return to the trailhead, hikers can retrace their route back up the canyon to Halls Creek Overlook. This round-trip, 22.4-mile hike works best as a three- or four-day trip. The route is mostly unmarked and extremely hot in summer. Bring a topographical map, water and adequate sun protection. Be sure to pick up a backcountry camping permit before setting out. To reach the trailhead, travel east from the visitor center for 9 miles on Hwy. 24 to the Notom-Bullfrog Road, then head south for a little over 43 miles via the partially-paved Notom-Bullfrog Road and unpaved Burr Trail Road. You'll turn right at an intersection with a paved road (shown on some maps as Eggnog Junction), and drive a mile to the turnoff for Halls Creek Overlook. Turn right and drive 2.8 miles to the rough spur road leading to the trailhead at Halls Creek Overlook.

Difficulty

Moderate

Distance

22.4 miles

Estimated time

Region

N/A

Nearby Parks Around Halls Creek Narrows Route

Compare nearby parks around Halls Creek Narrows Route when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.

43.6 mi away

Capitol Reef

National Park · UT

68.0 mi away

Bryce Canyon

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79.2 mi away

Canyonlands

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94.5 mi away

Arches

National Park · UT

118.3 mi away

Zion

National Park · UT

131.8 mi away

Grand Canyon

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Nearby Points of Interest Around Halls Creek Narrows Route

Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Halls Creek Narrows Route while the map context is still fresh.

8.4 mi away

Headquarters Canyon Route

The easy 3.2-mile round-trip Headquarters Canyon hike features sheer, vertical walls and colorful slopes of Navajo sandstone.

8.9 mi away

Surprise Canyon Route

The short and easy Surprise Canyon Route is a 2-mile roundtrip hike.

10.4 mi away

Burr Trail Road

What began as a cattle trail, blazed by stockman John Atlantic Burr, is the present-day Burr Trail Road.

10.5 mi away

Notom-Bullfrog/Burr Trail Road to Lake Powell Tour

At the junction of the Notom Bullfrog Road and Burr Trail Road inside Capitol Reef, drivers can head south on Burr Trail, also known as BLM 12000) to Lake Powell at Bullfrog Marina.

10.5 mi away

Loop the Fold Tour

One of the best ways to take in the Waterpocket Fold is via the 124-mile roundtrip Loop-the-Fold tour.