In the depths of Horseshoe Canyon, the Great Gallery contains an awesome set of life-sized human figures and intricate geometric designs painted by prehistoric peoples. The canyon is a detached section of the park west of the Maze District. A trailhead on the west side of the canyon can be reached by dirt roads, passable by two-wheel-drive vehicles in dry weather. You can camp near this trailhead, no permit needed, but not in the canyon. The hike to the Great Gallery is 6.5 miles round trip from the park boundary with a descent of 750 feet and requiring about 6 hours.

You can ride into the canyon by horse, mule, or burro with a permit from Hans Flat Ranger Station (Tel 435-259-2652). Horseshoe Canyon is 32 miles east of UT 24 via a graded dirt road. Another graded dirt road approaches the canyon from the town of Green River.

Expert Review of Horseshoe Canyon

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Active and Adventure Review of Horseshoe Canyon

Away Travel Expert: Bill Weir

Active Expert Favorite
ActiveExpert Rating Recommended for:
Day Hiking,Horseback Riding

Active and AdventureExpert Tips & Helpful Hints

• The Barrier Canyon style of the pictographs dates back to at least 8,000 years ago and lasted until about A.D. 450. The later Fremont and Anasazi groups also left rock art here.
• In addition to the rock art, Horseshoe Canyon has very pretty scenery.
• Trees shade some of the sandy canyon bottom.

Visitor Information