Trail Report: Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop in Canyonlands National Park

Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop, Canyonlands National Park, Monticello, UT

• Distance: 7.5 miles
• Elevation Gain: 800 feet
• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Duration: Roughly 3 hours
• Best Seasons to Hike: Year-round, but be very careful in summer and early fall during heat and flash flood season
• Trail Type: Loop

Overview

The Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop in Canyonlands National Park is a must-visit trail for experienced hikers exploring the Needles District. This 7.5 mile loop showcases the park’s iconic landscapes, including salt flats, sandstone formations, and rugged desert canyons. The moderately challenging trail offers a mix of hiking and light scrambling, with highlights like narrow passages, panoramic views, and opportunities to spot wildlife such as desert bighorn sheep and lizards. Perfect for those seeking solitude and adventure, this loop combines stunning scenery with a sense of play, making it a top pick for rugged yet simple hiking in Canyonlands.

Trail Info

This is a great trail to feel like you're really exploring, while not straying too far into the backcountry. It's best explored in spring and autumn, but can be enjoyed year round as long as appropriate measures are taken, such as bringing extra water in summer or traction in winter. This is a trail blazed by cairns, so be sure to leave them be and use them as guides.

• Because the Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop is in Canyonlands National Park, you will need a National Park Pass to gain entry. These passes can be purchased at the entrance to the park or online.
• This is a part of the National Park System and dogs are not allowed on this trail.
• This trail is marked and blazed by cairns. Do not knock them over or build your own. Cairns in Canyonlands National Park are extremely important to route finding and trail navigation.
• Stay on the trail, even when you may be tempted to wander down a wash or two! It's surprisingly easy to get lost in the desert terrain.
• When you get to the petroglyphs, soak it all in! It's amazing. But be sure to practice Leave No Trace and be respectful.
• Don't tread on cryptobiotic soil. It's a special type of living ground that you can read about here. The more you learn about cryptobiotic soil, the more amazing it is!

Trail Highlights

The Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop is a very fun trail, with ever-changing views, landscapes and terrain. Scrambling up slick rock is a blast, and slipping down it it even more so! As you climb, the views open up and you are able to see The Needles, along with the other park districts of Canyonlands. You'll also get plenty of views of the La Sal Mountains!

The mid-point of the loop is a great spot for a snack break, where you may encounter an antelope squirrel or curious lizard!

Tips

• Parking details: Spacious parking area at the trailhead, which is inside of the Needles Campground.
• Restroom: There is a primitive restroom at the trailhead.
• Permits, fees, or restrictions: Requires a National Park pass. If you plan to backpack you need a permit from the National Park ahead of time.
• Camping: No camping allowed at the trailhead. The campground this trailhead is in is first-come-first-serve with many sites. Camping is $20/night.

Recommended Gear

• Ridge Merino Solstice Lightweight Wool Hoodie: Women/Men
  Even in winter, the southwest sun of the high desert is extremely intense! It's important to protect your skin from harmful rays and sunburn.
• Shoes or boots with excellent traction. Slick rock can be challenging to navigate, so grippy shoes are a must!
• 3 liters of water per person. Again, even in winter. Canyonlands is not a region where you can depend on water sources, so it's crucial to pack in water.
• A good sun hat or sunglasses!

Conclusion

The Salt Flat and Big Spring Canyon Loop in Canyonlands National Park is a really cool trail that will have you in awe almost all the time. From easy rolling terrain, to fun scrambles, it's varied and adventurous. The epic views are relentless!

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