Dark Canyon
Begins at the forest's mile 0, 37.7990, -109.8684 - no trailhead mapped Drive to where the trail begins
Big Notch Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
The Big Notch Trailhead marks the starting point for the Dark Canyon East Trail, a 4.8 mile trail that takes you through a rugged canyon on the east side of the Dark Canyon Wilderness and connects to Horse Pasture Canyon.
Dark Canyon Wilderness Loop the Forest Service's write-up
Dark Canyon Wilderness is noted for its diversity including beautiful forest and desert scenery and rich biological, geological and archeological resources. Dark Canyon Wilderness can be seen through a variety of backpacking trips from short in-and-out trips to longer five to seven-day trips for experienced backpackers.
A full loop can be made by hiking Woodenshoe and Dark Canyons, which is about 40 map miles, but with side excursions, can be extended to twice that. This loop is often done by starting at Woodenshoe Trailhead and traveling clockwise through Dark Canyon Wilderness. The trail from this starting point travels on the following trails: Woodenshoe Trail #165 , Dark Canyon West Trail #006 , Peavine Canyon Trail #157 and back to Woodenshoe Trailhead. It does include hiking along multiple Forest Service Roads: Peavine Corridor Road #089, Dry Mesa #108, Deer Flat #181 and Woodenshoe Point #340. While the beginning and end of the trail are at the same elevation (8, 047ft) there is about a 2,300 foot descent into and then back out of Woodenshoe and Dark Canyons.
Backpackers may also opt to do some portion of these trails and/or shuttle to exit Dark Canyon Wilderness by a different trailhead including: Trail Canyon #007 , Horse Pasture #025 , Peavine Canyon Trail #157 and Dark Canyon Trail #006 to The Notch.
Current conditions can be found on our Dark Canyon Wilderness Recreation Area page, on our home page on the right in the Quick Links section, or by calling the Monticello Ranger District, 435-587-2041.
Restrictions Open to: Hiking and Horseback Riding.