Best Hiking Trailheads in the Bears Ears Region

The Bears Ears region in southeastern Utah has become one of the most evocative hiking destinations in the American Southwest, a place where sculpted canyons, pinyon-juniper mesas and distant buttes frame a landscape rich with Indigenous history.

For hikers, the experience begins at the trailheads: unassuming dirt lots, signed turnouts and ranger stations that serve as gateways to deep sandstone gorges, rock art panels and cliff dwellings.

Choosing the right trailhead is crucial. It shapes not only your route, but your chances of solitude, your access to archaeological sites and your ability to stay safe in a remote desert that offers little margin for error.

Planning Your Bears Ears Hiking Trip

Before zeroing in on individual trailheads, it is essential to understand how the Bears Ears region works for hikers. The national monument is large and fragmented, spanning Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge to the south and Indian Creek to the north.

Many of the best trailheads lie on remote dirt roads, sometimes passable only in dry weather and best approached with high-clearance vehicles. Permits and day-use fees apply in several of the most popular hiking drainages, especially on Cedar Mesa. Conditions, regulations and even trailhead access can change seasonally, so planning is more than a formality here; it is a safety requirement.

Most classic hikes in Bears Ears are not groomed, signed trails in the national park sense, but route-finding adventures down canyon washes and old stock paths. Many lead into culturally sensitive terrain rich in ancestral sites that are still important to descendant Native communities.

As a hiker, you are expected to know the rules: pack out all waste, treat archaeological sites with utmost respect, and stay flexible enough to modify plans when weather or road conditions shift. With those basics in mind, the following trailheads represent some of the finest access points into the heart of Bears Ears.

Grand Gulch & Cedar Mesa Classics

Cedar Mesa holds one of the densest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan sites in the Southwest, and its great drainage, Grand Gulch, is a magnet for backpackers and experienced canyon hikers. Trailheads here provide direct access to miles of sinuous sandstone canyons lined with alcoves, seeps and overhangs that once sheltered communities.

Elevation is generally between 6,000 and 7,000 feet on the mesa top, dropping several hundred feet into sheltered gulches that hold water seasonally. Permits are required for backpacking and day-use passes for popular canyons, so these trailheads tend to be regulated but still wild and remote once you leave the parking area.

Kane Gulch Trailhead (Kane Gulch Ranger Station)

The Kane Gulch Trailhead, immediately north of Kane Gulch Ranger Station on State Route 261, is the primary gateway into upper Grand Gulch. Paved highway access makes it one of the easiest major trailheads to reach in Bears Ears, and the station itself is the central hub for Cedar Mesa information, interpretive exhibits and walk-up permits during its seasonal operating periods.

From the lot, a well-used path leads into Kane Gulch and down to the junction with Grand Gulch, offering a classic introduction to the area’s canyon terrain.

For most hikers, Kane Gulch works as a moderately strenuous day hike to Junction Ruin, with options to continue farther to features like Turkey Pen Ruin and Stimper Arch on longer out-and-back routes.

For backpackers, it is a critical access point for multi-day loops and point-to-point trips through Grand Gulch and its tributaries. Water levels, seeps and travel conditions shift with the seasons, so stopping at the ranger station or checking recent reports remains a best practice.

• Access: Paved to the trailhead via State Route 261.
• Use type: Day hikes and multi-day backpacking into Grand Gulch.
• Fees/permits: Day-use passes required; overnight trips require advance backpacking permits.
• Best seasons: Spring and fall for milder temperatures and more reliable water.

Bullet Canyon Trailhead

Bullet Canyon cuts into Cedar Mesa north of State Route 95, accessing a deep side canyon of Grand Gulch that is celebrated for its cliff dwellings and rock art. The trailhead is reached by graded dirt roads branching off the highway. In dry conditions, many standard high-clearance vehicles can manage the drive, but mud, snow or heavy rains can quickly make the route problematic.

The parking area is small and unsigned compared to major national park lots, reinforcing the backcountry character of the hike from the moment you step out of your vehicle.

From Bullet Canyon trailhead, a popular two to three day backpack route drops through the canyon to its junction with Grand Gulch, passing sites such as Perfect Kiva and Jailhouse Ruin. Strong hikers sometimes use Bullet Canyon in combination with Kane Gulch or other access points for point-to-point backpacks.

Day hikers can explore a portion of the canyon as an out-and-back, although the most famous sites require a full day or overnight visit. Expect minimal constructed trail, frequent creek-bed walking and limited signage.

• Access: Graded dirt road from State Route 95; high-clearance strongly recommended.
• Use type: Primarily backpacking, with long day-hike options.
• Fees/permits: Included in Cedar Mesa day-use and backpacking permit system.
• Highlights: Iconic cliff dwellings and an immersive canyon setting.

Collins Canyon & Government Trail Trailheads

On the west side of Cedar Mesa, two additional trailheads provide alternative access into Grand Gulch: Collins Canyon and the Government Trail. Both are reached by unpaved roads branching from State Route 95 or the mesa-top network, and both serve hikers looking for less-trafficked routes compared with Kane Gulch.

These trailheads are often used by experienced backpackers to create one-way or loop itineraries that traverse long segments of Grand Gulch, linking multiple canyons over three to five days.

From Collins Canyon trailhead, hikers descend quickly from the mesa into a rocky canyon that funnels into Grand Gulch downstream of many upper access points. The Government Trailhead, by contrast, offers a more gradual route along the mesa edge before dropping into the gulch via switchbacks.

Neither route is ideal for casual day hiking unless you are comfortable with strenuous climbs and long mileage, but for those planning multi-day trips, these trailheads broaden your options for less crowded itineraries.

• Access: Unpaved and often rough; high-clearance vehicles are recommended, and travel is ill-advised in wet weather.
• Use type: Multi-day backpacks and one-way trips, with some demanding day-hike options.
• Permits: Standard Cedar Mesa backpacking permits and day-use passes apply.
• Considerations: Remote, with limited signage and frequent route-finding.

Cedar Mesa Day Hikes: Butler Wash & Mule Canyon

Not every hiker arrives in Bears Ears ready to commit to deep, multi-day canyon trips. Cedar Mesa also offers shorter outings that still deliver cliff dwellings, rock art and classic desert scenery. Two of the best areas for accessible day hikes are Upper Butler Wash and Mule Canyon, both of which have trailheads a short distance off State Route 95. These routes are well known but still feel uncrowded compared with Utah’s national parks, particularly outside peak spring and fall weekends.

Upper Butler Wash Trailheads (including Cave Towers & West Fork)

Upper Butler Wash runs parallel to Comb Ridge north of State Route 95, with several unsigned and semi-signed pullouts serving as informal trailheads to archaeological sites.

Among the most compelling is the Cave Towers trailhead, which accesses a short hike to a cluster of enigmatic stone towers perched along a shallow canyon. Another spur accesses the West Fork of Upper Butler Wash, a modest hike through a cottonwood-lined drainage with multiple ruins tucked into alcoves on both sides of the wash.

These trailheads are especially appealing for hikers who want a relatively short outing with big rewards. Typical round-trip distances range from 1.5 to 3 miles, and elevation change is limited. The main considerations are navigation along unmarked paths and the need to treat all ruins with care. Binoculars are useful, since some of the most interesting structures are across the canyon or high in the cliffs.

• Access: Short dirt roads from State Route 95; generally passable in dry conditions for most vehicles.
• Use type: Half-day hikes to multiple archaeological sites.
• Fees: Butler Wash is within the Cedar Mesa day-use fee area; self-pay stations are located at trailheads.
• Atmosphere: Quiet, with a sense of discovery as you follow faint routes along the wash.

South Mule Canyon Trailhead (House on Fire & beyond)

The South Mule Canyon trailhead is one of the most popular in the Bears Ears region, thanks largely to the photogenic House on Fire ruin a short distance up-canyon.

Located off State Route 95, the dirt access road ends at a small parking area with a self-pay station for day-use fees. From there, a well-worn path follows the sandy wash and low benches through alternating red and white sandstone walls, gradually deepening as you travel upstream.

Most hikers visit House on Fire as a focus of a half-day trip, timing their arrival for mid- to late-morning when the reflected light often gives the alcove its fiery appearance in photographs.

However, the canyon continues for several miles, with additional ruins and rock art in alcoves along the way. Those willing to walk farther can escape much of the casual traffic near the front of the canyon and gain a better sense of Mule Canyon’s overall scale.

• Access: Short, typically passable dirt road from State Route 95; conditions deteriorate in wet weather.
• Use type: Popular day hike, with options for longer explorations up-canyon.
• Fees: Day-use fee required; pay at the trailhead station.
• Highlights: House on Fire ruin; colorful, gradually deepening canyon walls.

Big Backcountry: Fish and Owl, Road Canyon & Slickhorn

For experienced hikers and backpackers, a few trailheads on the east and south sides of Cedar Mesa open the door to longer, more rugged itineraries with fewer visitors. Fish and Owl Canyons, Road Canyon and Slickhorn Canyon all require a higher level of self-sufficiency, navigation skill and comfort with exposure and scrambling.

These trailheads are less formal, the routes less obvious, and water availability more variable than on some of the better-known day hikes, but the payoff is superb solitude and some of the most dramatic canyon scenery in Bears Ears.

Fish and Owl Canyons Trailhead

The Fish and Owl Canyons trailhead, located off an unpaved spur road on the east side of Cedar Mesa, serves the classic Fish and Owl loop, a demanding circuit often done as a two- to three-day backpack or, for strong parties, a very long day hike.

From the parking area at the road’s end, a faint trail leads across pinyon-juniper flats before dropping steeply into Owl Canyon or Fish Canyon, depending on which direction you choose to travel the loop. Both canyons combine sculpted sandstone walls, pouroffs and riparian stretches where water may linger in pools.

This is a remote-feeling route even by Cedar Mesa standards. The descent and ascent involve sections of loose rock and mild exposure, and lingering snow or ice on north-facing slopes can complicate shoulder-season travel.

Navigation in the canyon bottoms is mostly straightforward, but finding the correct exits and side routes requires attention and good maps or GPS. For hikers prepared for that level of challenge, the loop from the Fish and Owl trailhead is one of the region’s most rewarding journeys.

• Access: Rough dirt road; high-clearance strongly recommended, and travel should be avoided in wet conditions.
• Use type: Primarily multi-day backpacking; strenuous single-day loop for fit, well-prepared parties.
• Permits: Covered under Cedar Mesa backpacking permit system; day-use fee applies for day trips.
• Character: Remote, committing and less crowded than Grand Gulch.

Road Canyon Trailheads (Seven Kivas & Citadel Ruin)

Road Canyon, on the southern flank of Cedar Mesa, has multiple informal trailheads accessing outstanding sites such as Seven Kivas and Citadel Ruin. The main access spur roads branch south from State Route 95 and cross the mesa toward the canyon rim. Pullouts and small parking areas mark starting points for short but sometimes steep routes that drop from the rim toward specific overlooks and alcoves.

From one of these trailheads, hikers can follow cairned and social trails to the peninsula leading to Citadel Ruin, a striking fortification set at the tip of a narrow rock fin reached by a natural land bridge.

Another access point leads toward Seven Kivas, a cluster of circular depressions interpreted as ceremonial structures. Routes often traverse open slickrock, and cairns can be sparse, so route-finding and comfort with exposure are necessary.

• Access: Network of dirt roads off State Route 95; conditions vary with weather, but high-clearance vehicles are advised.
• Use type: Half- to full-day hikes to specific archaeological highlights.
• Fees: Road Canyon is generally included in Cedar Mesa day-use fee areas; check local information before travel.
• Highlights: Citadel Ruin, Seven Kivas, expansive rim-top views across Cedar Mesa and beyond.

Slickhorn Canyon Trailheads

Slickhorn Canyon, draining the southern edge of Cedar Mesa toward the San Juan River, offers multiple entry points from unpaved mesa-top roads that terminate near various forks of the canyon.

These trailheads provide access to a network of deep, shaded narrows, hanging gardens and a handful of significant archaeological sites. Most itineraries involve dropping from the rim on steep, cairned routes that may include ledges, short scrambles and loose gravel.

Slickhorn is often combined with nearby canyons on multi-day backpacks, and some trailheads are used for trips that exit at the San Juan River. Water in the canyon can be more reliable than in some other Cedar Mesa drainages, but levels and quality still vary seasonally.

Due to its relative remoteness and lack of high-profile marquee sites, Slickhorn sees fewer visitors than Mule Canyon or even parts of Grand Gulch, making its trailheads appealing to those who prize solitude.

• Access: Long dirt-road approaches across Cedar Mesa; four-wheel drive may be beneficial depending on conditions.
• Use type: Backpacking and strenuous day hikes, often with river connections.
• Permits: Included in Cedar Mesa backpacking and day-use permit system.
• Considerations: Complex navigation, variable water and limited cell service.

Comb Ridge & Bluff Area Access Points

East of Cedar Mesa, the serrated monocline of Comb Ridge rises above the desert floor, offering a different style of hiking. Here, trailheads are mostly small dirt pullouts along Butler Wash Road or near the town of Bluff, and hikes tend to be shorter explorations of side drainages, petroglyph panels and cliff dwellings.

While these routes are outside the deep canyon systems of Grand Gulch, they provide some of the easiest entry points for hikers based in Bluff or passing through on a shorter visit.

Wolfman Panel Trailhead

Just west of Bluff, a short side road off the highway leads to the Wolfman Panel trailhead, one of the most accessible rock art sites in the Bears Ears area. From the small dirt parking area, a brief but somewhat steep trail drops off the mesa toward the wash, with a spur leading to a patinated cliff face carved with intricate petroglyphs.

Across the wash, remnants of a small cliff dwelling complete the scene, creating a concentrated glimpse into the region’s deep cultural history with minimal hiking mileage.

The hike is short enough to be done in an hour or two, but the descent involves some loose rock and small ledges that may feel exposed to less confident hikers.

As with all archaeological sites in the monument, visitors are expected to stay on established paths, avoid touching the rock art and refrain from entering or climbing on structural remains. The convenience of the Wolfman Panel trailhead makes it an excellent stop for travelers who want a meaningful hike without committing an entire day.

• Access: Short, generally passable dirt road west of Bluff.
• Use type: Short interpretive hike focused on rock art and a small ruin.
• Suitability: Good for families and time-limited visitors who can manage a modest steep section.

Sand Island Petroglyph Trailhead

Although technically along the San Juan River corridor rather than deep inside Cedar Mesa, the Sand Island trailhead near Bluff provides easy access to one of the region’s most extensive petroglyph panels.

The parking area, shared with river rafting put-ins and campground facilities, sits a short walk from cliffs etched with layers of imagery spanning centuries of human presence in the area. The hike itself is more of a walk on a mostly level path along the base of the cliff than a backcountry outing, but it offers critical context for the archaeological richness that hikers encounter deeper in Bears Ears.

Sand Island works well as an orientation stop either before or after venturing to more remote trailheads. It is especially valuable for visitors traveling with children or those who may not be ready for steep desert hiking but still want to experience the cultural side of the monument.

The panel’s visibility and accessibility also underscore the importance of respectful behavior in more remote locations, where ranger presence is minimal.

• Access: Paved highway to Sand Island; large parking area near the river.
• Use type: Very short, mostly level walk along a petroglyph-covered cliff.
• Ideal for: Families, first-time visitors, and those interested in cultural context.

Indian Creek & North Bears Ears Trailheads

The northern portion of Bears Ears, centered around Indian Creek along Highway 211, is best known to climbers, but it also offers hiking opportunities from several informal trailheads and pullouts.

Here, the landscape shifts from the dense cultural concentration of Cedar Mesa to a more open expanse of buttes, towers and wingate sandstone walls. Cultural sites are still present but less concentrated along standard hiking routes, and the focus tilts more toward scenery, wildlife viewing and dark skies camping.

Indian Creek Canyon & Bench Trailheads

Along Highway 211 between the main highway and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, a series of pullouts, cattle guards and old road traces serve as informal trailheads into side drainages and benchlands above Indian Creek.

While they lack the signed infrastructure of more established Cedar Mesa access points, these starting spots allow fit, experienced hikers to explore slickrock benches, alcoves and viewpoints overlooking the creek corridor and nearby buttes such as Bridger Jack and North and South Six Shooter Peaks.

Routes here are more exploratory and less standardized than in the Cedar Mesa canyons. Expect to follow climber paths, game trails or simply pick a line across open slickrock, always staying mindful of cryptobiotic soil and fragile desert vegetation.

Because these are multi-use public lands with active grazing, hikers should also be prepared to encounter fences, stock ponds and ranch infrastructure along the way.

• Access: Paved Highway 211 with short dirt or informal pullouts.
• Use type: Off-trail or lightly trafficked bench and ridge hikes, often without established routes.
• Highlights: Big views, quiet side canyons, opportunities for birdwatching and photography.

Indian Creek Falls & Riparian Trailheads

A few river-level access points along Indian Creek, reachable from small parking areas or pullouts, provide short walks into cottonwood-lined riparian zones, small falls and pools.

These are less formal hiking trailheads than convenient points to stretch your legs, explore the creek corridor and observe the stark contrast between the green ribbon of water and the surrounding desert cliffs.

Because these riparian zones are sensitive and often shared with wildlife and grazing animals, hikers should stay on established social paths, avoid trampling vegetation and give any livestock wide berth.

These short explorations make good add-ons for travelers driving between Moab and the Bears Ears south unit, especially on days when weather makes deeper canyon trips unwise.

• Access: Directly off Highway 211 at designated parking areas or pullouts.
• Use type: Easy, non-technical walks suitable for most visitors.
• Atmosphere: Quiet, with running water and shade rare in the broader desert landscape.

Permits, Seasons and Safety at Bears Ears Trailheads

The best trailhead in Bears Ears is only as good as the trip you plan from it, and that in turn depends on understanding the region’s permit rules, seasonal patterns and safety considerations.

Bears Ears has no single entry gate or fee station; instead, a patchwork of day-use fees and permit systems applies to specific canyon drainages and overnight trips. This reality can be confusing at first, but with a little preparation, hikers can navigate it smoothly and minimize last-minute surprises at remote trailheads.

Permits, Passes and Fees

There is no general entrance fee for Bears Ears National Monument, but key hiking zones on Cedar Mesa require either day-use fees or advance permits.

Grand Gulch and its tributaries, Mule Canyon, Butler Wash, Fish and Owl, Road Canyon, Slickhorn and several other canyons fall under a day-use system that typically involves self-pay envelopes at trailheads or passes purchased at Kane Gulch Ranger Station or the Bureau of Land Management’s Monticello Field Office.

Separate backpacking permits, often obtained in advance through federal reservation systems, apply for overnight travel in Grand Gulch and the broader Cedar Mesa canyon network.

In addition, a handful of heavily visited sites, such as Moon House ruin in McLoyd Canyon, have dedicated day-hike permit systems with strictly limited daily quotas and advance reservation options.

Federal lands passes that work in national parks generally do not cover Cedar Mesa day-use fees, so hikers should plan to carry cash or proof of pre-purchased passes. Regulations and fee structures can change, making it important to verify requirements shortly before your trip.

Best Seasons for Bears Ears Trailheads

The most favorable hiking seasons in Bears Ears are spring, typically March through mid-June, and fall, from roughly September through late October. During these shoulder seasons, daytime highs are more manageable, nighttime temperatures are cool but generally above freezing on the mesas, and water availability in canyon pools and seeps tends to be better than during the driest parts of the year.

Wildflowers and fresh leaves brighten the canyons in spring, while fall brings clearer air and vibrant cottonwood color along washes and creeks.

Summer presents serious heat hazards, with temperatures in low-lying areas often reaching into the 90s or higher. Monsoon season, usually from July into early September, can trigger flash flooding in slot-like canyon sections and make clay-based access roads impassable in a single storm.

Winter can be beautiful and stark, but snow and ice on the mesa-top roads and canyon descents make some trailheads problematic to reach. Short days also limit how far you can reasonably hike from distant access points.

Leave No Trace and Cultural Respect

Every trailhead in Bears Ears functions as an unofficial classroom where land managers hope hikers will internalize two core ideas: leave no trace on the natural landscape, and treat cultural sites with absolute respect.

The monument protects an extraordinary density of ancestral sites, from faint petroglyphs to full cliff dwellings still stacked with original masonry. These are not just scenic backdrops, but places with ongoing significance to Native communities who consider Bears Ears a living cultural landscape.

In practice, this means sticking to established paths from trailheads, avoiding cryptobiotic soil crusts, packing out all trash including toilet paper, and handling human waste properly. At ruins and rock art sites, visitors should stay outside structural walls, never touch rock art or pick up artifacts, and avoid sitting or leaning on fragile masonry.

Dogs are restricted or prohibited in many canyon systems, particularly Grand Gulch and its tributaries, and campfires are often banned in the canyons. Checking current regulations before leaving the trailhead is as important as scanning the weather forecast.

The Takeaway

The Bears Ears region rewards hikers who treat its trailheads as more than convenient parking areas. Each one is a threshold, bridging the modern world of asphalt highways and digital maps with a landscape where human presence stretches back millennia and the desert still feels truly wild.

From the developed access at Kane Gulch Ranger Station to the rough spur roads leading toward Fish and Owl, Road Canyon or Slickhorn, the choice of trailhead shapes your experience as profoundly as the miles you walk.

For first-time visitors, a mix of accessible day hikes at Mule Canyon, Butler Wash or Sand Island, complemented by a visit to Kane Gulch Ranger Station, offers a balanced introduction.

More experienced hikers and backpackers can build ambitious routes from trailheads like Bullet Canyon, Collins, Fish and Owl or the Road Canyon overlooks, gaining days of solitude among sculpted sandstone and silent alcoves.

Whatever your level, planning, permits and a commitment to low-impact travel are non-negotiable. Start smart at the trailhead, and Bears Ears will reveal a depth of beauty and meaning that lingers long after you leave the desert behind.

FAQ

Q1. Do I need a permit to hike from most Bears Ears trailheads?
For many of the most popular canyon systems on Cedar Mesa, including Grand Gulch, Mule Canyon, Butler Wash and Fish and Owl, you need either a day-use pass, an overnight backpacking permit or both. Some fees are paid at self-serve trailhead stations, while overnight permits must usually be reserved in advance. Always verify current requirements with management agencies before your trip.

Q2. When is the best time of year to use these trailheads for hiking?
Spring from roughly March to mid-June and fall from September through October are generally the best seasons. Temperatures are milder, water is more likely to be present in canyon pools and access roads are usually in better shape. Summer heat and monsoon storms, as well as winter snow and ice, can make travel from remote trailheads significantly more hazardous.

Q3. What kind of vehicle do I need to reach the main Bears Ears trailheads?
Paved highways reach trailheads like Kane Gulch Ranger Station and Sand Island, so any standard passenger vehicle can access them in normal conditions. Many other trailheads, such as Bullet Canyon, Fish and Owl, Road Canyon and Slickhorn, sit at the end of dirt roads where high-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended. After storms, even high-clearance four-wheel drive may not be enough if roads turn to deep mud.

Q4. Are there marked trails and signs from these trailheads?
Some access points, particularly those near ranger stations or heavily visited sites, have signs and obvious paths near the start. However, Bears Ears is largely a backcountry landscape, and many routes quickly transition to informal paths, cairned slickrock or simple canyon-bottom travel. Hikers should be comfortable navigating with maps, GPS and terrain-reading skills rather than relying on continuous trail signage.

Q5. Can I bring my dog on hikes from Bears Ears trailheads?
Dog rules vary by area. In many of the culturally sensitive Cedar Mesa canyons, including Grand Gulch and some of its tributaries, dogs are not allowed on the trails or at archaeological sites. Other areas, such as some east-side canyons, may allow dogs under strict control. Because regulations are specific and can change, always confirm pet policies for your chosen trailhead before you go.

Q6. How much water should I carry when hiking in Bears Ears?
In this high desert environment, hikers should carry more water than they might in cooler, wetter regions. For day hikes, many visitors plan for at least 3 to 4 liters per person in warm weather, more for strenuous routes. While some canyons hold seasonal pools or seeps, water availability is highly variable, and you should never assume you can refill unless you have up-to-date local information.

Q7. Are there camping options near the main trailheads?
Yes. Dispersed camping is available on many public lands around Cedar Mesa and Indian Creek, often at existing sites along dirt roads leading to trailheads. Developed campgrounds exist in a few locations, particularly near Indian Creek and along the San Juan River. Campers must follow local regulations regarding fire use, group size and site selection, and should always use established campsites rather than creating new impacts.

Q8. How difficult are hikes from trailheads like Fish and Owl or Road Canyon?
Hikes from these more remote trailheads are generally considered strenuous and suitable for experienced desert hikers. Expect steep rim descents and ascents, loose rock, occasional exposure, route-finding challenges and long distances between reliable water sources. These areas are rewarding but unforgiving, so honest self-assessment, conservative planning and detailed preparation are essential.

Q9. What should I know about visiting archaeological sites from these trailheads?
Archaeological sites in Bears Ears are protected by federal law and hold ongoing spiritual and cultural significance. Visitors must never touch rock art, enter rooms, climb on walls or remove artifacts. Photographs should be taken without physical contact, and people should stay on durable surfaces rather than trampling middens or fragile soils. Treat each site as a living place rather than a museum exhibit.

Q10. How can I get current information on road and trail conditions before heading to a trailhead?
For Cedar Mesa and Grand Gulch, the best sources are the Kane Gulch Ranger Station during its seasonal operating periods and the Bureau of Land Management’s Monticello Field Office year-round. Local visitor centers in nearby towns and official state tourism resources can also provide recent updates. Given how quickly weather can affect roads and water availability, checking conditions shortly before your departure is crucial.