Salt Creek Canyon

 

Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for backpacking in Salt Creek Canyon

NPS

Salt Creek Canyon stretches from the southern boundary of The Needles and ends at the Colorado River. The upper section of the canyon is a popular area for backpacking; a 22.5 mile trail runs between Cathedral Butte Trailhead (southern end) to Peekaboo (northern end).

The Salt Creek Trail follows the main wash past cottonwood groves, through sections of reeds and willows, and across sagebrush flats. The trail can be obscured by dense vegetation, impacted by seasonal flooding, and be difficult to follow. Conditions may be wet, depending on the season. Hikers should be prepared to bushwhack to navigate through areas, especially between the southern park boundary and Kirk Spring. Mosquitos and gnats can be prevalent from early summer through autumn.

There are several arches, historic, and culturally signficant sites that can be seen from the trail. Numerous side canyons also offer opportunities to explore, but any off trail travel should be on slickrock or along sandy washes; keep off biological soil crust and vegetation.

Visitors are welcome to explore the backcountry and view archeological and cultural sites; however, entering archeological sites is prohibited by federal law except in areas designated by the NPS. The law also prohibits altering, damaging, collecting, or touching any surface features (petroglyphs, pictographs, ceramics, tools, lithics, etc).

Areas open for visitation will be signed or otherwise indicated on NPS brochures and waysides. Further information on these areas can be obtained from a ranger at the visitor center.

 

Backpackers starting at Cathedral Butte Trailhead

NPS/Jen Mitchell

Trailhead Access

Backpackers can either hike through Upper Salt Creek or as an out-and-back trip from either trailhead. A thru hike requires a vehicle shuttle; visitors must organize their own shuttle or contact a commercial shuttle service out of Moab. Roads leading to either end of Salt Creek Trail can be impassable or require a high clearance 4WD vehicle to reach. Check road conditions before starting your trip.

Cathedral Butte Trailhead is located outside the park approximately 18 miles down Beef Basin Road/Bridger Jack Road/CR-107. The road may be impassable during winter or require a high-clearance 4WD vehicle when flooded in areas. Hikers must descend 1,500 ft from the trailhead on loose, steep terrain to reach Salt Creek Canyon.

Peekaboo 4WD Road is frequently impassable to vehicles. Parking near Peekaboo or along the Salt Creek/Horse Canyon 4WD road is strongly discouraged due to high potential for flash flood danger. Backpackers should plan to park at the Cave Springs/Salt Creek Gate and walk the road to Peekaboo.

Another option is starting or ending from the Needles Campground Trailhead. This involves hiking the Peekaboo Trail and then continuing south into Salt Creek Canyon. The campground trailhead can fill up on weekends during spring, fall, and holidays.

Trip Planning Map

This map shows the Salt Creek, Peekaboo, and Angel Arch trails as well as designated campsites and the Salt and Horse at-large zone boundaries. We strongly recommend backpackers consult a topographic map for distances between campsites and trailheads.

 

 

Salt Creek Trail can be densely vegetated and difficult to navigate in places.

NPS/Angela Sowa

Backpacking

There are both designated campsites and an at-large backpacking zone within Salt Creek Canyon available for reservation on Recreation.gov:

• Salt Creek 1, 2, 3, 4
• Salt & Horse Zone (1 mile south of Peekaboo to the Angel Arch trail junction)
• Peekaboo 1, 2

Most backpackers spend 2-3 nights in Salt Creek Canyon. Due to deep sand and dense vegetation along the trail, it is not recommended to attempt a thru hike in two days or less. Backpackers must stay in the campsite or zone they reserved each night. Plan accordingly based on mileage and daylight hours to reach your campsite. Dispersed camping within Salt Creek Canyon is not allowed. The at-large zone is for a specific area, must be reserved on a permit, and does not include the entire canyon.

Waste Requirements

Commercial, landfill safe human waste bags are required at all Salt Creek designated campsites and strongly recommended within the at-large zone. Solid human waste is unlikely to decompose, can pollute water sources, and harm the environment within Salt Creek Canyon.

Bags can be purchased at gear shops in nearby towns of Moab, Monticello, or at the bookstore in the Needles Visitor Center.

 

Be Water Smart!

Water availability in Salt Creek Canyon is dependent on the season and amount of precipitation throughout the year. No sources are guaranteed. Wildlife and plants depend on the limited water for survival. Backpackers should have a large carrying capacity and not rely solely on what they find along trail. We recommend carrying 4L (one gallon) of water per person, per day.

 

Black bears are present in Salt Creek throughout spring, summer, and fall.

NPS

Food Storage

Bears have been sighted in Salt Creek Canyon and many neighboring canyons in The Needles. Backpackers should keep a clean camp and store food items securely. Backpackers at Salt Creek designated campsites, Peekaboo campsites, and the Salt/Horse Zone are required to store all food, beverages, and associated containers, garbage, and scented items in a hard-sided, park-approved animal-resistant food container, capable of preventing access by wildlife, at least 100 feet from camp from March 15 to November 30. Ursacks and other soft animal resistant containers do not meet this requirement.

Backpackers who do not own a park-approved animal-resistant food container can loan one from either the Backcountry Permit Office or The Needles Visitor Center. They are available on a first come, first serve basis and cannot be reserved in advance.

 

Visitors view pictographs at Peekaboo

NPS

Cultural Resources

People have lived in and traveled through what is now Canyonlands National Park for over 10,000 years. During that time, they left evidence of their presence that are protected in the park today. Salt Creek Canyon is part of the Salt Creek Archeological District, a cultural landscape that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Open air and alcoved sites are vulnerable to the impact of cumulative visitation.

For backpackers with reservations for the at-large Salt & Horse Zone, camping must be at least 300 feet away from water sources and all prehistoric or historic sites (including alcoves, petroglyphs, pictographs, surface scatters of lithics or ceramics, and partial or complete structures).

Archeological sites are very sensitive to repetitive visitor impacts. Help preserve them for others to experience in the future and out of respect for the ancestors and their descendants.