Reflection Canyon is a 20-mile out-and-back hike near Escalante, Utah, on the edge of Lake Powell, offering an incredible view of a picture-perfect bend in the Colorado River. It may be the most spectacular view of any hike in Utah.
Region: Southwest (Glen Canyon National Recreation Area)
Length: 20 miles (2 days)
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- Route gains roughly 1,250 feet over 10 miles
- Expansive view of the miles ahead
- Hard to find, remote campsites
Logistical Difficulty: Moderate
- Out-and-back hike
- No access to reliable water
- Faint trail marked with occasional cairns
Season: Fall, Spring
Elevation (Average): 5,000 feet
Total Elevation Gain: 1,250 feet
Hiking to Reflection Canyon
Reflection Canyon is a lesser-known location within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. It is less visited and rarely mentioned simply because of the long drive to get to the trailhead. The canyon is a picturesque swirl resembling the shape of Horseshoe Bend but with a more striking and closer view of the Colorado River winding into Lake Powell.
Southern Utah is a perfect area for shoulder-season hiking. Snow periodically covers the high country, with mild weather at the lower elevations. It is the high desert, so inclement weather is a possibility, but other than a stiff breeze, it’s often perfect hiking weather.
The hike begins on the side of Hole-In-The-Rock Road, but only after a 50-mile drive down rugged dirt and gravel. From the small parking area, a faint trail winds through the landscape, passing under massive cliffs and walls. The dirt soon disappears and is replaced by sporadic cairns as the route transitions to rock.
After the initial 5 miles of faint trail beneath the towering rock features, it becomes a choose-your-own-path hike. Balanced rocks, small shelves, and little ravines cover the area leading up to the Colorado River running through the canyon.
There is no reliable water on the Reflection Canyon hike, though in mid-February I saw some small holes holding clear water after a recent rain. The expectation should be that this hike does not have a water source.
The nearer you get to the canyon, the more difficult it is to follow the slickrock. Giant holes with sand and shrubbery are randomly scattered throughout the final mile. On the often windy nights, these tiny valleys provide a good reprieve and a place to camp. At the edge of Reflection Canyon the rock drops off sharply, falling hundreds of feet to the water. The exposure and immediate drop-off can be staggering, but as long as you’re careful you can find many different viewpoints and overlooks.
How to Get to Reflection Canyon
Closest Major City: Salt Lake City, Utah (300 miles)
Closest Town: Escalante, Utah (55 miles)
Hole-In-The-Rock Road
Reflection Canyon Trailhead
Getting to the Reflection Canyon trailhead means driving 50 miles down a rugged dirt and gravel road outside Escalante. 4WD is not necessary in good weather, but even a little rain can make the road impassable. The best way to find the location is to drive to Escalante and then drive 5 miles southeast on Highway 12 to Hole-In-The-Rock Road. From here, it is a 50-mile scenic drive to the trailhead, which is unmarked and has simply enough space to park on either side of the road.
Reflection Canyon Season / Direction
Season: In good weather, the route is perfect from the late fall to the early spring. But bad weather can easily leave hikers trapped at their cars with no way to get back to Highway 12. Because of hot summers and the likelihood of no water, the hike is best done in the cooler shoulder season.
Direction: This is a simple out-and-back hike with a few different braided trails and variations. The faintness of the trail, with half on slickrock, offers hikers the ability to explore all aspects of the canyon with some light scrambling en route to the canyon.
Logistics: Permits / Camping, Navigation, Water
Permits / Camping: Permits are free but required and available at the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center for both Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Camping is allowed anywhere along the route, just be sure to follow all LNT guidelines.
Navigation: Make sure your phone or GPS unit has the route loaded or you are familiar with the paper maps that you are taking. The first 5 miles are pretty easy, but after transitioning to slickrock, Reflection Canyon can be a bit difficult to find.
Water: There is no reliable water on the route. There is an unreliable spring a couple of miles from the trailhead and the possibility of potholes holding rainwater, but these sources should not be relied upon.
Know Before You Go
Temperature: The difference between the daytime highs and the overnight lows can be staggering. The route is exposed and in the sun for its entirety, making dehydration possible during the day and hypothermia possible at night. The location and trailhead are remote, so having enough food and water to cover not only the hike but also the drive is important.
Pack It Out: Pack everything out, including human waste
Water Planning: With no reliable water, hikers should carry enough for their entire hike.
Camping: Camping is permitted anywhere in the area, although we found the nights especially windy. Camping farther back from the canyon provides more secluded spots.
Cell Service: There was a bit of cell service (Verizon) sporadically throughout the route.
Flash Floods: Flooding, road washouts, and impassable conditions are likely within this entire area. Check the weather before venturing down the remote road.