Spring Canyon Routes
The Lower Spring Canyon trail is a strenuous 9.7-mile hike from the Chimney Rock parking area to the Fremont River.
Plan Around Spring Canyon Routes
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Spring Canyon Routes Details
The deep and narrow Spring Canyon features towering Wingate cliffs and Navajo domes. The canyon trail is broken up into two portions, upper and lower, and can be accessed midway through the Chimney Rock Trail. The entire canyon is best hiked as a three- or four-day trip, although Lower Spring Canyon Trail can be done as an overnight or a long day hike. The Lower Spring Canyon trail is a strenuous 9.7-mile hike from the Chimney Rock parking area to the Fremont River. Hikers will follow the Chimney Rock Trail about a mile to Chimney Rock Canyon, where you'll see a sign to Spring Canyon. You'll pass three large side canyons in Chimney Rock Canyon before you reach Spring Canyon. From here, it's 6.8 miles to the Fremont River via the Lower Spring Canyon Route, passing through narrows and some highly exposed sections of trail. When you reach the Fremont River you'll be getting wet: you have to ford the river through water that's typically thigh-high. Don't ford the river if it is flooding. You'll then have to walk a short distance back upstream to return to your car if you left it at the Highway 24 pullout. If you left your car at the Chimney Rock parking area, it's 6.6 miles west on Highway 24. The strenuous, 18.7-mile hike to Upper Spring Canyon, is for experts only: you'll need good route-finding skills and the ability to read and use a topographic map. The route runs from Holt Draw Road to the Chimney Rock trailhead, following creek beds and rock cairns and involving hikes into canyons and a visit to a remote spring with fresh water. The hike generally begins at the Hold Draw Road because it's mostly downhill from there. Once you reach the Chimney Rock parking lot it's four miles west on Highway 24 to Holt Draw Road to retrieve your car. The short Holt Draw Road is located outside the park's western border, at mile post 72.4 near Torrey, Utah. Pick up a free backcountry permit at the visitor center before setting out if you plan to camp overnight and remember that this is not an official, maintained trail. Route conditions can change due to weather or rockfalls, so check at the visitor center before leaving. Navigational skills and tools, such as a GPS unit or topographical map, are necessary, and remember to bring enough water. Estimated time can vary from 5-7 hours to 2-3 days (5-7 days to hike the entire canyon).
Difficulty
High
Distance
18.7 miles
Estimated time
varies
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Spring Canyon Routes
Compare nearby parks around Spring Canyon Routes when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Spring Canyon Routes
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Spring Canyon Routes while the map context is still fresh.
0.8 mi away
The Fluted Wall
The Fluted Wall is a prominent rock formation striped with eroded vertical grooves.
1.1 mi away
Chimney Rock
Accessible via the Chimney Rock Trail, just inside the west entrance to Capitol Reef along Hwy. 24, Chimney Rock stands as an impressive sentinel over the desert below.
1.1 mi away
Panorama Point Parking Area
It's just a short walk from the Panorama Point parking lot to Panorama Point itself.
1.2 mi away
Panorama Point
Dramatic views await at the aptly named Panorama Point: take your selfie stick photo here!
1.2 mi away
Chimney Rock Trail
The Chimney Rock Trail is a strenuous 3.6-mile (one-way) loop.
