State: Utah
Location: Canyonlands National Park
Length, One-Way: 5 miles
Trail Type: Out and Back
Minimum Elevation: 4100 feet
Elevation Change: 1400 feet
Best Season: Spring, Fall
Difficulty: Difficult
Usage: Light
Canyonlands, Utah
Trail Information
Lower Red Lake Canyon heads west from Devils Lane, through the grabens and down to the Colorado River. The route is nearly five miles long and descends 1,400 feet into Cataract Canyon. The Colorado River is the only water source along this trail. Backcountry camping sites are available along Lower Red Lake Canyon Trail. A permit is necessary to camp in this area.
Begin this hike from Elephant Hill Road, 0.6 miles west of Devils Kitchen Camp. The Lower Red Lake Canyon Trail begins by heading west over slickrock to a trail junction 1.0 miles west of the trailhead. The trail heading north is the Cyclone Canyon Trail. It heads through that canyon for 2.0 miles to meet the Confluence Overlook Trail.
Continuing west from Cyclone Canyon Trail, the Red Lake Canyon Trail crosses the grabens then turns north and enters Red Lake Canyon. The trail crosses the drainage then ascends 160 feet, crosses the southern bank of the drainage and begins to descend. About 2.0 miles west of Cyclone Canyon, the trail begins to descend switchbacks to the canyon floor. After descending 720 feet via the switchbacks, the trail reaches the floor of the drainage and descends more slowly from here. The trail follows the canyon floor for two more miles to reach the Colorado River.
Directions
From Needles Visitor Center:
Follow the main park road to Squaw Flat Campground. Bear right onto Elephant Hill access road and follow about 4.5 miles past the Elephant Hill Trailhead to the Lower Red Lake Canyon Trailhead.
