Yucca Canyon

View from the Yucca Canyon trail

Katie Person

Just as the road to the Slaughter Canyon parking lot crosses the park boundary, there is a dirt road heading west where it is recommended to have a high clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle. The difficult 7.7 mile (12.4 km) trail begins at the end of the road and climbs quickly up a side canyon to the top of the escarpment. From the ridge, there are awesome views of the basin. The trail continues across the plateau until it reaches a sheer drop and view into Big Canyon. This is one of the few trails in the park where you may encounter ponderosa and other pines. With an elevation change of 1,520 feet (464 m), one-way travel is estimated at 8.5 hours.

A free permit is required for all overnight use of the park’s backcountry which can be obtained at the visitor center during business hours.