Dinosaur National Monument: Hog Canyon

Hog canyon is a fantastic trail on the Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument. The short trail system takes you through a narrow box canyon and follows a stream. Due the the forest, and high canyon walls there is a lot of shade on this trail so it’s not as hot as some of the other nearby trails. This canyon was carved into the sandstone of Split Mountain and only has the one way in and out with 3 high walls. Josie Morris used this canyon as a natural corral for her livestock.

Quick Details:

Length: 1.5 miles out and back.
Difficulty: DR3. Almost completely flat, super easy.
Elevation Gain: My GPS did not work in this remote section, but it wasn’t much.
Restroom: Yes. There are pit toilettes at the TH.
Dogs? No.
Other Info: Remember you are in the desert. Bring plenty of water and wear appropriate clothing.
Fee area. $20.00 per car.

To Get Here:

Head into Dinosaur National Monument via the Quarry Visitor Center. At the end of Cub Creek Road (Tour of Tilted Rocks) about 10 miles from the visitor center. The last 1.7 miles is unpaved, but as long as it is dry a small passenger car will be fine. Follow the trail between Josie Morris Cabin and Chicken Coop..

The Trail:

The trail sign.

The trail will pass by the Josie Morris Cabin, and then through this old cattle guard.

Cool red rocks across the way.

There is a little pond here too, but it’s kind of gross.

Pretty flower.

Damselfly.

Little bit of fall color.

Great view of the valley.

With some sage brush.

little wash between the 2 canyons.

Giant old tree.

Wow, this is particularly interesting. Apparently there is a rare and unique orchid that grows here.

The creek.

After crossing the stream and passing through a fence you will see the box canyon you will be hiking through. A box canyon gets it’s name by being a narrow canyon with high cliffs and only one way in and out. Slightly different then a Slot Canyon such as Jenny’s Canyon.

Such a bizarre feeling to be in the green oasis amongst high stone cliffs.

Through the forest.

The cliff walls are getting higher. If there are any petroglyphs in this canyon I didn’t see it.

Just amazing in here.

Rising cliff walls.

Hole in the wall.

So incredible.

Reaching the narrow part.

This give you a better idea of how narrow it is.

There are a couple of bridges over the small creek.

The end of the canyon.

The soaring cliff walls.

So neat in here.

Another little wooded section.

Weird patterns in the sandstone walls.

High cliff walls.

End of the line.

Well, unless you are part mountain goat. If you are you might be able to get a little further, but I didn’t see a way up I was comfortable with.

Looking back out of the canyon.

And the little forest down at the bottom.

Well we had our fun but we still have a lot more exploring we wanted to do, so it was time to head on back.

Looking up. Small patch of blue sky between the cliff walls.

This far in the cliff walls really are up there. Gotta be at least 100 maybe 200 feet above.

Neat holes in the wall.

We found where the springs comes up.

Looking out of the canyon again.

Looking up.

This canyon is just amazing.

The little creek running along the canyon wall for a bit.

Looking out again.

And back in.

Whispy seed pods.

Such a neat canyon.

Plant growing out of a crack. Never ceases to amaze me.

Nearing the end of the small canyon.

Pretty butterfly.

Neat shelf.

The fence. I’m not sure if it is Josie’s Original, or if it’s been rebuilt.

But it does span the entire canyon. That was really smart of her. Build a ~100 foot fence and use the rest of the canyon, or four 100 foot fences to make a square. Plus plenty of vegetation and water for the livestock.

The little gate to get in.

Back out into the main valley.

Looking out across the valley.

Sagebrush.

The gross pond again.

Josie Morris’s chicken coop.

While here, be sure to check out the nearby Box Canyon trail. It will only add an additional half mile in and out.

That trail was absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! I loved everything about it! (if you couldn’t tell from the abundance of pictures). The soaring cliffs making a tight canyon with the really green oasis at the bottom with the nice creek to follow. We saw one couple on the way in, and one more on the way out. This is truly a neat trail worth checking out. Definitely a strong 10 out 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, There is very little elevation gain. a couple small hills but nothing too bad. DR3.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail.