Reflection canyon is basically an extension of the Lake Powell. Backpacking to reflection canyon is a highly challenging venture of about 20 miles, and this intense hiking has become increasingly popular of late. This location was revealed in the year 2006 by the National Geographic Channel when they published an article named Glen Canyon Revealed along with an amazing picture of the reflection canyon. Just as backpacking to Mount Whitney is an epitome of back country isolation, the same goes with this feat which also demands increased willpower, detailed planning and physical stamina.

Once the photo of this place was revealed, the search for the exact location began immediately. The place is quite remote, and you’ll need some planning to witness the gorgeous view of the canyon. Now the question arises, how to get to the reflection canyon? Well, backpacking to reflection canyon can be a one-day hike trip, but usually, photographers love to make an overnight stay there in order to capture the magnificent view of the milky way and sunrise next morning. Below are the details.

What to Expect

When you’re backpacking to reflection canyon, you’ll see a multitude of views that’ll remind you of Arches National Park, The Wave in Arizona, and Antelope Canyon. It’ll be one of your hardest and most rewarding trips. I can almost guarantee it.

Trail difficulty: Hard. It is around a 9 on a 1-10 scale.

Trail distance: 18-21 miles round trip.

Trail time: It took me 4.5-5.5 hours one way.

Trail type: Unmarked In and out. No coverage from sun. Trail is rocky with patches of sand.

Trail head elevation: 4,478 feet.

Net elevation gain: Roughly 550 feet. It really depends on the path you take but it’s relatively flat.

Water source: Expect no water source. There may be pockets of water if a storm recently passed by.

Parking/Overnight Permits: Not required.

Weather: Dependent on the month. Check HERE for the most current weather forecast.

Cell reception: Expect no reception. At max spotty 3G with AT&T service on an iPhone 7+.

Trailhead coordinates: 37°15’21.70″N, 110°57’47.25″W

Destination coordinates: 37°11’15.72″N, 110°55’8.54″W

Campsite conditions: Minimal to no dirt to stake in tent. I used rocks to hold up my tent.

Best time to go: Late March through April (lowest water level to see the ‘spine’) and October.

Planning the Hike

Backpacking to reflection canyon takes effort in researching and planning. Although I’ve compiled all the information you need here, I advise you to visit a couple of other sites that talk about their ventures to reflection canyon. Rainer Grosskopf shares his adventure during September HERE. I went during the last weekend in April 2017.

GPS: Yes you’ll need GPS to navigate yourself to the destination. There’s several options here to do so. First thing though is to locate and download a GPX file of a previously recorded route. You can find mine HERE.

1. Option 1 is to buy and download Gaia GPS app or similar and upload the GPX file.
2. Option 2 is to buy a GPS device and upload the GPX file. We used a Garmin Fenix 3 on our trip.
3. Option 3 is to use Google map’s offline feature. Simply download the offline map of the area and upload the GPX file onto your google map‘s account. We also used this option.

Click on Image for GPX File.

After figuring out your GPS situation, you’ll need to decide how many nights you’ll be spending out there. From there, you’ll be able to move on to planning your food and water supply.

Water amount: I packed a total of 4.7L water for a one night stay. Keep in mind though that I’m a camel and don’t drink much water. My friend though went through 8L of water. I cooked 2 mountain house meals (dinner and breakfast). My full 700ml bottle rolled down the cliff but luckily a neighbor packed in too much water and was able to share some with me. Also please remember to bring electrolyte packets for your water. This is much needed to reduce cramping and fatigue.

Food: I basically just packed 2 mountain houses and a bunch of high calorie pro bar meals and clif bars for lunch and trail munching. Keep it simple and keep it high in calorie.

Backpacking Equipment: Temperatures don’t usually drop below 30F during April so pack sleeping bags and insulating layers accordingly. The goal is always to pack essentials and keep the load as light as possible. Also it is counter intuitive but to stay cool, you’d want complete coverage from the sun with your apparel. Here’s some crucial items I brought that made the trip comfortable for me:

1. Ultralight backpack: Granite Gear Crown 2
2. Lightweight trail shoes: Astral Footwear TR1 Trek
3. Soft shell rain jacket with a hood
4. Long sleeve base layer
5. Lightweight Smart water bottles
6. SPF 50 Chapstick and sunblock
7. Trekking poles
8. Hat
9. Battery packs to charge phone and GPS
10. High calorie bars and nuts medley

Hole in the Rock Road

This is the infamous road you’ll be on for 50 miles to get to the trailhead (coordinates above). It is not paved and is full of big rocks and potholes. The relatively narrow road is windy and has some crazy hairpin turns. An SUV is definitely needed. 4×4 or AWD option for your SUV is recommended if it rained recently.

Trail Details and Landmarks

It’s pretty scary and daunting tackling a trail that’s not clearly marked. During my trip, I made sure to snap enough pictures of landmarks to help ease your nerves of backpacking to reflection canyon.

Key things to note: When heading to the destination, stay close to the side of Fifty Mile Point mountain and head south, keeping you away from those beautiful yet dangerous slot canyons. You will see the south end of the Fifty Mile Point and use that as a guiding point. When you get to the rounded tips buttes, you’d go around them and not over them. After that you’ll reach the iconic flat butte landmark. Go past it a bit, turn left and head in the southeast direction. You’ll make your own path so I’d advise to go around the buttes and not over them. Use the landmark images below as reference. When you reach the last butte that covers reflection canyon, you’ll want to go to the right of it. I saw many backpackers struggle going over and going to the left of it.

Photography Tips

Proper planning will get you the shots you want here at reflection canyon. Make note of sunrise and sunset times for the days you are going to be there. Also make a note of the optimal times the milky way galaxy will be visible at night for some astro photography. Remember to set your alarms! Pack a couple extra batteries and memory cards if you plan to do long exposures and time lapses. I packed in my Sony A7Rii along with the Sony 16-35mm F4 lens, Sony 70-200mm F4 lens and the Rokinon 14mm lens. Don’t forget your tripod of course! During late April, the sun settled behind me while I faced the canyon and the sun rose to the left front of me as I faced the canyon. Get there early to get the best camping spot.

My Experience

Backpacking to reflection canyon was an experience of a lifetime for me. The first morning hiking into the canyon was pretty cold. I’d say the temperature was around 35F+ in the morning. There were a lot of clouds that blocked the sun. As the day reached noon, it became warmer and was much better. Winds were blowing and it kept us cool from the heat later on during the day. We took a route that gave us a more direct path to the destination but it involved slight rock scrambling. I thought it was fun more than anything. We started our hike early around 8:45AM and we’re the first group to reach reflection canyon that day. This gave us options to choose our camping spot with a view. The hike back to car the next day was super hot and felt forever. Heading back, we just followed the same path we used heading in.  I wouldn’t do anything differently except bring more water and cut my toe nails before hand. Haha yes my toenails were scraping on my toes and caused a lot of discomfort. Feel free to leave any comments and questions below and i’ll do what I can to answer them!

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When it comes to natural beauty, Utah landscapes frequently top any list of American landmarks. From subterranean caves, to red-gold canyons, to monumental stone formations, no nature explorer worth their stones can afford to miss these indescribable Utah landmarks. The variety of Utah landscapes are split across what are called the Mighty Five, a list of five national parks, each boasting their own idiosyncratic attractions. These include the stone towers of Canyonlands National Park, impossibly sculpted arcs at Arches National Park, the gorgeous mazes of Capitol Reef National Park, slot canyons in Zion National Park, and finally, the multicolored ampitheater of Bryce National Park. These are stupendous desert/forest regions that can rival even Arizona’s most beautiful natural treasures, and whether your journey is camping, backpacking, or site seeing, it begins here!

1. Park Avenue

So why is there a spot in Arches National Park named after New York City’s famous skyscraper lane? Because this particular spot is home to great vistas of wind-sculpted rock formations, reminiscent of the urban sprawl. But of course, instead of busy street bustle, there’s the silent tranquility of the Utah landscapes. The easy hike and plethora of colorful stone monuments (with names like Queen Nefertiti Rock, Sausage Rock, and the Courthouse towers) make Park Avenue a popular stopping point. Make sure you get out of the car once you hit the Viewpoint area though. Some of the most spectacular sights here can only be seen from a hike on foot.

2. Delicate Arch

Also in Arches National Park, Delicate Arch is probably the most recognizable Utah landmark. It’s featured on magazines, coins, license plates, and the obsession is understandable. There’s something unearthly and unnaturally graceful about the stone monument, as you stand before such an incredible accident of natural forces. The Arch is located five miles north of the town of Moab, and is accessible, again, by an easy hike.

3. Balanced Rock

The most beautiful Utah landscapes seem frozen on the brink of destruction. Case in point: Balanced Rock in the Arches National Park is an enormous stone (the size of three schoolbuses) mounted on a much smaller pedestal rock, to give a breath-halting sight to visitors. Balanced Rock used to have a smaller, similar rock formation right next to it, called the Chip Off the Old Block, but it was finally toppled in the 70s. The destruction of the smaller monument just highlights the wonder of Balanced Rock, which should be enjoyed before it meets its own mishap.

4. Winter Hiking

Hiking through Utah landscapes in the wintertime affords beautiful vistas that you can’t find in any other place or at any other time. Winter trails range from easier, well-worn paths that won’t even require snowshoes, to more challenging, mountainous regions. Visitors often frequent areas like Zion Canyon (especially beautiful after a snowstorm for that pristine look) and the Wasatch mountains. Regardless of where you go, be sure to do your homework. Check the region’s elevation for likely snowfall, avalanche forecasts for that day, and above all, come prepared! That means clothing made from quick-drying materials (no cotton!), tons of snacks, and appropriate footwear.

5. La Sal Mountains

The La Sal Mountain Range is the second highest in Utah, and is located on the Utah / Colorado border. In the springtime, the region is green and lush as far as you can see. The forests mix with bubbling streams, with mountain peaks just above the beautiful treeline. The pristine Warner Lake attracts tons of visitors yearly, with its lovely campground and hiking trails. Of course, winter in the area affords its own unique beauties, including the unbelievable sight of the mountains draped completely white in snow.

6. Mesa Arch

The Mesa Arch is located in the Island in the Sky district of the Canyonlands National Park, a region whose beauty lives up to its fantastic name. The Arch is renowned for its unbelievable framing of the La Sal mountains just beneath its curve, a sight which makes for an unforgettable photograph. Come at sunrise or sunset for best results, but regardless, make sure you visit this most photogenic of Utah landmarks.

7. Dead Horse Point

If you’d rather see a wide Utah landscape than a single site, the Dead Horse Point State Park can’t be beat. It’s a vast series of interconnecting small canyons ringed by sheer sandstone cliffs, all named for the dramatic peak, Dead Horse Point itself. At sunset, these mini-canyons catch the light in an indescribable fashion, creating a mosaic of shadows and rusted reds. There are several romantic legends about the area, regarding how cowboys once used these narrow canyons to corral wild mustangs so that they could choose the choicest specimens. The romance is well-deserved, and the state park still maintains a mystique to this day.

8. Northern and Southern Window

Also in the Arches National Park are these peculiarly-shaped rocks called the North and South Windows, or sometimes, the Spectacles. The rock formation is located on a short, but popular hiking trail less than a mile long. The path features beautiful canyon scenery along the way, including Double Arch and the Parade of Elephants. But when you visit, take care of the high winds in the area, and don’t try to climb into the spectacles! Many Utah landscapes are scalable, but multiple accidents have been reported by overenthusiastic visitors to the Windows, so take care!

9. Turret Arch

Adjoining the North and South Windows is a high tower called the Vigilant Arch, just one of the many sights to see in an area densely packed with natural attractions.

10. Cave Formations

While the Utah landscapes command most of the tourist attention, don’t forget about the state’s subterranean treasures as well. Utah is home to numerous beautiful cave formations, many of which offer guided tours of stalactite-studded lairs and winding stone mazes. Some of the most beloved caves include the Green Eyed Monster. This unique site boasts walls that take on a neon green look thanks to the unique mineral content of the rock. And then there are the perilously deep places like the Bloomington caves, where visitors can visit the truly alien landscapes of the underground.

11. Red, Orange Hues

Utah’s most beautiful features are known for their gorgeous orange and red hues. The color is a result of the rich sandstone that composes the state park’s most popular attractions. Sunset and sunrise are clearly the most opportune time to capture these natural sights, but the lush coloration catches the light magically no matter what time of day.

12. Capitol Reef

Capitol Reef National Park is in the breast of Utah’s red rock country, and is the most ruggedly handsome of the many Utah landscapes. If the name is confusing, keep in mind that a reef is any natural area that impedes travel, on land or sea. Capitol Reef presents visitors with a network of small arches, canyons, and niches to explore. It’s home to colorfully-named attractions like the Golden Throne (a gold-colored dome of bright carbonate rock) and the Hickman Bridge.

13. Observation Point

The road to Observation Point in Zion National Park is not easy, but the prize speaks for itself. The view from the Point boasts the bluest, cleanest skies in Utah. It also gives you a view of some of the state’s steepest cliffs and greenest valleys. The point overlooks multiple Utah landscapes, including the impossibly lush Echo Canyon and the White Cliffs.  The scale of its beauty really can’t be overstated.

14. Narrows Formation

The Narrows in Zion National Park earned the 5th place spot on National Geographic’s list of America’s 100 Best Adventures, and for good reason. Visitors come for the challenging hike through the river running through the canyons. The waters run beneath the beautiful green gardens clinging to the canyon’s sides. And the walls themselves are as wondrously sculpted as canyon regions come. The trip isn’t the easiest, however. The water level varies from waist-deep to swimmable in some portions, and the riverbed houses large round stones that can be difficult to traverse. Come prepared with hiking poles and appropriate water shoes.

15. Bryce

There is no better way to cap off a list of Utah landscapes than Bryce Canyon National Park. The rock formations in this area form a wide array of unbelievable shapes. There are mazes of jagged stone towers. There are micro-ranges of tiered rock shelves. The indescribable features of the park Ampitheater evoke various images in different visitors. Some describe it as a goblin-infested crag of pink and red hues. Other swear they see angels in the lush shadows of the canyon cliffs. The scale of the Park is no less than mythological, and no trip to Utah would be complete without experiencing it.

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