Last updated: August 22, 2022
Thing to Do
Hike the Box Canyon Trail
NPS
Distance: 0.25 miles (0.4 km) round trip
Elevation Change: Less than 100 feet (30.4 meters)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Type of Trail: Out and back, not a loop
Trailhead: Josie Morris Cabin Parking Area
This trail offers a relatively level walk into a shady box canyon. This trail is good to do even on a hot summer day. It features nice exposures of the craggy Weber sandstone of Split Mountain. The canyon served as a natural corral where Josie Bassett Moreis would pen and raise her livestock. It is excellent for small children. Stay on the trail to avoid running into poison ivy.
Trail maps of Dinosaur National Monument are available from the monument bookstore.
Elevation Change: Less than 100 feet (30.4 meters)
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Type of Trail: Out and back, not a loop
Trailhead: Josie Morris Cabin Parking Area
This trail offers a relatively level walk into a shady box canyon. This trail is good to do even on a hot summer day. It features nice exposures of the craggy Weber sandstone of Split Mountain. The canyon served as a natural corral where Josie Bassett Moreis would pen and raise her livestock. It is excellent for small children. Stay on the trail to avoid running into poison ivy.
Trail maps of Dinosaur National Monument are available from the monument bookstore.
Rules and Regulations
- Pets and animals who provide only comfort or emotional support are prohibited on this trail.
- Carry out all trash.
- Collecting artifacts, fossils, plants, antlers, rocks, or other objects is prohibited.
- Do not feed or approach wildlife.
- Biking on trails is not permitted in Dinosaur National Monument.
Your Safety
- There is some shade on this trail.
- Poison ivy is common in this area. Keep small children close and stay on the trail to avoid it.
- Be prepared for desert hiking. Wear a hat and sunscreen. Take water. A minimum of 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person is recommended in summer.
- Temperatures can exceed 100°F (38°C) in summer. To avoid the heat, hike in the morning or evening. Carry a headlamp if hiking near nightfall.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you are due back.
- Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes, such as hiking boots or athletic shoes. Open-toed shoes or sandals are not recommended.
- Watch for wildlife. This is bear and mountain lion country. Keep small children close.
- All natural areas pose risks. Your safety depends on your own good judgement.
Details
Duration
20-60 Minutes
Activity
Front-Country Hiking
Easy hike. Good for children.
Pets Allowed
No
Pets and animals who provide only comfort or emotional support are prohibited on this trail. Per the Americans with Disabilities Act, working service dogs may go wherever their handlers go.
Activity Fee
No
Visitors must pay the park entrance fee or show a valid pass at the Entrance Station or Quarry Visitor Center. There is no separate or additional fee for this activity.
Location
Josie Morris Cabin Area
Box Canyon Trail is located in the Josie Morris Cabin Area on the Jensen, Utah, side of the monument at the end of Cub Creek Road. The trailhead is located next to the restrooms.
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
The last 2 miles (3.2) of the Cub Creek Road that leads to this trailhead are unpaved. This unpaved section may be closed to vehicles when wet with rain or snow. If the road to Josie Morris Cabin is closed to vehicles, the trailhead will be 2 miles (3.2 km) one-way from the end of the paved road, which lengthens the BoxCanyon hike to 4.25 miles (6.8 km) round-trip.
Time of Day
Any Time
Accessibility Information
Trail is primarily a gravel or sand path approximately 30 inches (76 cm) wide. There are a few steps along the route. This trail is not considered wheelchair accessible.