Dark Canyon Wilderness

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DARK CANYON is rugged, pristine and beautiful. It is an excellent destination for those seeking to hike and camp in the wilderness in relative isolation. Though a day hike is feasible, multi-day trips are really necessary to adequately experience this area. Dark Canyon is located in southeast Utah, east of Hite Marina on Lake Powell and west of the Abajo Mountains. It is about 25 miles northwest of Blanding and 15 air miles north of Natural Bridges National Monument. To plan your route by car or RV, select Utah Map or Southeastern Utah Map. Presented below is information on: Exploring Dark Canyon Miscellany Camping/Lodging/Dining Dark Canyon is comprised of two areas. Upper Dark Canyon is a designated wilderness area in the Manti-La Sal National Forest. The canyon here is fairly open with stands of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine. Elk Ridge at 8,200 feet forms its eastern and southern border and is the source of the numerous tributaries feeding the upper canyon. It is generally hikeable from late-May to October, though it is generally wet and subject to flooding in spring. Summer temperatures are moderate and water is abundant. Lower Dark Canyon is a designated primitive area lying mostly on BLM land. The canyon deepens and narrows as you head down canyon until its orange-red walls tower nearly 1,500 feet overhead. The environment here is more desert like with pinion pine, juniper and cottonwood. It is hikeable year round, though temperatures are most pleasant in the spring and fall. Water is available throughout the lower canyon. There are no designated campgrounds within Dark Canyon, but dispersed camping is allowed throughout. At this time, the BLM Monticello Field Office is not requiring permits to camp or hike into the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area from the Sundance Trailhead. Also during the summer months, in the lower sections, water sources are not reliable and can be an issue. There are no lodging or dining establishments at Dark Canyon. There is a small store w/prepared foods at Hite Marina on Lake Powell and a small motel and cafe at Fry Canyon (a stop on Hwy 95 about 25 miles south of Hite Marina). Fry Canyon Lodge Hwy 95 - Fry Canyon 435-259-5334 10 rooms $64-79 __"A country inn disguised as a classic desert outpost. Seven new deluxe guest rooms." A variety of dining and lodging choices are available in Blanding. Helpful Publications Manti-La Sal National Forest Map -- Trails Illustrated Good quality placticized map showing trails in Dark Canyon, the Abajo Mountains and Natural Bridges National Monument. (Scale: 1:90,000; Map# 703) Dark Canyon Trail Guide -- Canyonlands Natural History Association Call 435-259-6003 to order. Select Utah Publications for a complete list of publications covering activities and destinations in Utah. Useful Addresses For Upper Dark Canyon: For Lower Dark Canyon: Manti-La Sal National Forest Bureau of Land Management Box 820 Monticello, UT 84535 435-587-2041 Box 7 Monticello, UT 84535 435-587-2141 (or visit the BLM office at Kane Gulch Ranger Station)

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