Dinosaur National Monument: Box Canyon

Box canyon is a fantastic trail on the Utah side of Dinosaur National Monument. The short trail system takes you through a narrow box canyon. 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: .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 to the left of the restrooms.

The Trail:

The beginning of the trail.

You start out going through a nice forest.

Bridge over a dry creek bed.

Eventually you come to the old fence. Again, I am not sure if it is the original one Josie used to corral her livestock, or a newer one. However, considering how old it looks and the other buildings in the area, it is likely.

Eventually you start to see the canyon through the trees.

Starting to see the cliffs.

Lizard!

Finally, the first proper view of the canyon.

The cliffs are amazing.

I love these purple flowers.

The canyon again.

We found a little arch.

Peeking through.

This canyon is pretty incredible.

Nearing the end of the trail.

Cliff walls above.

Really neat back here.

Looking out.

End of the trail. There are a few little trails that spider web off from here but that all looked like a scramble. We did scramble up one of them a little ways though.

I like this one.

The back wall.

Looking outward again.

Rock fall.

Looking at the tall cliffs above.

Another view into the canyon,

Those circles seems way too perfect to be natural.

Making our way back.

Striped cliffs.

Nearing the beginning again.

I recently read an article about a strange phenomenon of cliffs ‘laying eggs’. Basically there are little harder stones mixed in with softer stone and as the softer stone wears away, the harder stone pops out. Anyway, it looked pretty similar to this. It’s just kind of weird that not long after reading about it, I happen to see it. Or at least something like it.

External link if you are interested.

And I have no idea what is going on here, but am going to go with bats.

Back through the forest.

And one last look back at the canyon.

While here, be sure to check out Hog Canyon. It is even more amazing, and it is only another 1.5 miles out and back.

That is a great short trail system. Not as cool as a slot canyon like Jenny’s Canyon but still really neat. And again, just really surprising to see so much green in the middle of a desert. Plus it’s super easy and we didn’t see another soul. Definitely recommend checking it out in you are in the area. 10 squirrels.

As for difficulty, it’s super easy not much to worry about and very little elevation gain. DR3.

Dogs are not allowed on this trail.