About
Length9 mi
ShapePoint-to-Point
DifficultyHard
Elevation gain700 ft up
Typical time4 hr 45 min
TrailheadChimney Rock trailhead to Highway 24 (river ford)
SurfaceWash bottom and sand
Best seasonApril to June and September to October. Flash floods are a real risk in the narrow canyons from July to September.
DogsNot allowed
What you'll see 🌄 Big views🌊 River or creek

Up the road and across the river is the mouth of Lower Spring Canyon. This gorge extends behind the cliffs all the way west toward Chimney Rock. The trek twists through a towering tunnel of sandstone for over 7 miles (11.3 km). Lower Spring Canyon is one of many popular backpacking routes in the park. Capitol Reef is renowned for its wilderness exploration opportunities. Around 90% of the park is managed like wilderness. This means the Park Service minimizes human interference. Wilderness management safeguards the ecological health, research potential, and recreational value of the land. We tend to think of wilderness as "untouched by humans." But numerous indigenous cultures have been a part of this land for millennia. Much of what we think of as "wild" has been tended and shaped by humans for generations. Interested in backpacking? Please note that a free backcountry permit-available at the visitor center-is required for any overnight stays outside the designated campgrounds. Backpacking requires extensive preparation and desert survival skills. Narrow canyons like Spring Canyon and Grand Wash are susceptible to flash floods. Always check the weather forecast before you begin your adventure.

Tips
You must ford the Fremont River at the end - check the flow first, because in spring it can be impassable. Leave a shuttle vehicle on Highway 24.
Location

Chimney Rock trailhead to Highway 24 (river ford)

Other Hikers
No one has logged this trail yet.
Your Hikes

🔒 Login or create an account to record the trails you've done, rate them, and tie them to a trip.