Grand Wash

For travelers looking to experience the jaw-dropping scale of Utah's red rock canyons without a grueling climb, Grand Wash is an absolute must-hike. This flat, relatively effortless trail guides you deep into a massive gorge cut straight through the heart of the Waterpocket Fold. As you wander along the gravelly wash bottom, the canyon walls quickly tighten around you, soaring over 800 feet into the sky. The crown jewel of the trek is the "Narrows" section, where the sheer Navajo sandstone cliffs close in to just 15 feet wide, creating a dramatic corridor of deep shadows and sculpted rock. Along the way, keep an eye out for small desert potholes, hidden caves, and unique honeycomb weathering in the canyon walls. Because the trail can be accessed from either Highway 24 or from the Scenic Drive (via the Cassidy Arch trailhead), it can be completed as a comfortable out-and-back or a point-to-point shuttle hike. Because this is a true drainage wash, it is incredibly prone to flash floods—always check the weather forecast at the visitor center before entering.