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Home > Trips > Canyonlands National Park, UT: White Rim Trail
Canyonlands National Park, UT: White Rim Trail
A multi-day bike-packing adventure, this epic Canyonlands ride is an endurance-testing 80 miles of rugged doubletrack with jaw-dropping canyon views around every bend.
The White Rim Trail is a classic ride (or 4-wheel drive) below Canyonlands National Park’s Island in the Sky Mesa. This route follows 80 miles of the 100-mile loop starting just north of the park at Horsethief Springs and heading counter clockwise. After the initial descent to the Green River, the doubletrack ride is long but mellow, with only a couple of notable climbs. What is notable, is the scenery. Miles of towering sandstone pillars, spectacular canyon overlooks and sheer cliff faces are a spectacular backdrop for this 2, 3, or 4-day adventure. Making the trip of a lifetime? Stay for the extra day if you can and take a break from your saddle to explore side trails by foot.
This popular destination does require planning. Required backcountry permits are in high demand (especially during spring and fall) and it may be necessary to make reservations up to 1 year in advance to secure campsites. Check with Canyonlands National Park for reservation processes. Also, with no potable water on the trail, you’ll need a high-clearance support vehicle of some kind to transport necessary supplies.
-Mapped by Gene Poncelet
TO TRAILHEAD: From Moab drive 11 miles north on US-191, turn left onto UT-313. In 12.3 miles turn right onto Mineral Canyon Road. Bear right in 1.6 miles and follow Canyon Lands National Park Rd. 11.5 miles to the Horsethief Trailhead. The road may be impassable when wet and high clearance vehicles are a must.
Position Format:
Datum:
Tracks
White Rim Trail
Distance: 80.39 mi
Points: 3419
Calories: none
Total Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none
Speed: 0.0 mph
Pace: 0:00 / mi
Points of Interest
WRT001
Location: 38.508818, -109.996147
This ride starts at the Horsethief Trail. Though most people start riding from the visitors center, being open to alternative start points like this one might help make your backcountry reservation process go more smoothly.
WRT002
Location: 38.517381, -110.004816
Stay to the left at this Y-junction and continue on the doubletrack as it rounds the base of Horsethief Point.
WRT003
Location: 38.475262, -109.999967
At mile 8, stay to the right to bypass the dirt road heading up Taylor Canyon. The Labyrinth campground just before the canyon road has two campsites.
WRT004
Location: 38.468475, -109.998851
The hiking trail that crosses the road near mile 9 turns into Upheaval Canyon toward Upheaval Dome, more than 4 miles away. If you're dying for a hike but worried about your stamina, wait for the short out-and-back at the top of the hill up ahead.
WRT005
Location: 38.452950, -110.007906
The two campsites at Hardscrabble Bottom are down this side road to your right. Bear left to climb 400 feet (about half way) up the Bighorn Mesa to the south.
WRT006
Location: 38.444111, -110.017819
The Fort Bottom Trail leads about 1.5 miles to a tower-like structure that was built above the river bottom by the Anasazi Indians some 750 years ago. After a long day of riding it's an ambitious trip, but it's between the Hardscrabble and Potato bottom campgrounds and might make a good side-trip for your support vehicle driver.
WRT007
Location: 38.431505, -110.010309
You'll pass the first of three Potato Bottom campsites near mile 13.5. The next several miles of scenic doubletrack head gently uphill.
WRT008
Location: 38.394684, -109.958897
Below Steer Mesa on the left, the trail winds around the top of Holeman Spring Canyon. Stop to talk to hikers heading to the rim from the trailhead nearby, or stop for a look yourself if you've got time.
WRT009
Location: 38.373895, -109.965248
Candlestick campground (near mile 25 on this route) only offers one site, but headed counterclockwise, it's a good place to rest before tackling the tough (but short) 400-foot climb ahead.
WRT010
Location: 38.323612, -109.908772
There aren't many notable climbs on this long rim-top trail, but this notable 800-footer near mile 35 lands on the Murphy Hogback ridge where there are three backcountry campsites.
WRT011
Location: 38.274727, -109.863142
The doubletrack dips below Junction Butte near its southernmost section. Bypass the White Crack Trail which leads to an old mining camp near the edge of the rim, and stay left to head north.
WRT012
Location: 38.330874, -109.827318
There are two sites at the Gooseberry Campground near mile 51, but the hiking loop headed east is popular with backpackers, too.
WRT013
Location: 38.387015, -109.826374
As the road crosses Buck Canyon, look ahead for the Airport Tower, and look behind you to catch a glimpse of Washer Woman Arch.
WRT014
Location: 38.392935, -109.795647
The Airport Campground is the largest on the road with 4 sites. Near mile 60 on this mapped route and 19 miles from the visitor center, it's a great distance for an overnight in either riding direction.
WRT015
Location: 38.401478, -109.794188
You might encounter day-hikers at this roadside stretch of the Lathrop Canyon hiking trail. Though some hikers continue downhill toward the river, many will use the roadside overlook as a turnaround point and will be back to their cars in a few hours.
WRT016
Location: 38.437254, -109.770241
Near mile 70, take this 300-yard detour to Musselman Arch on the south edge of the rim. If the crosswinds aren't a concern, consider the thrilling ride over the 120-foot sandstone span. Up ahead is another short side-trip to an overlook above the river.
WRT017
Location: 38.459302, -109.794660
Stay straight on the White Rim Road, bypassing the access to Shafer Canyon. There is one campsite in the canyon about a mile northeast of this junction. It's just 6 miles from this point to the visitors center, but there's nearly 1,500 feet of elevation gain en route to the top of the mesa.
WRT018
Location: 38.471466, -109.811783
This mapped route ends at the main park road. The visitor center is about 1 mile south of here. Stop by to check it out before piling into your support vehicle and heading home.
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