Lower Fish Creek Canyon

Looking across the canyon at ruins tycked in an alcove beneath a large overhang

A moderately-easy hike up a pleasant, shallow canyon with Ancestral Puebloan ruins and a few rock art sites.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

• Distance: 3.6 miles (round trip) to Best Ruins
  8.0 miles (round trip) to View of Tower Ruin
  
• Elevation: 4,550-ft. at Trailhead
  4,610-ft. at Best Ruins
  4,700-ft. at View of Tower Ruin
  
• Elevation Gain: 60-ft. to Best Ruins
  210-ft. to View of Tower Ruin
  
• Difficulty: easy-moderate
• More Hikes in:
  Bluff / Bears Ears NM / Southeast Utah

Why Hike Lower Fish Creek Canyon

This pleasant off-the-beaten-path trail in lower Fish Creek Canyon offers a degree of solitude not found on other trails in the area. Starting near the confluence of Fish Creek and Comb Wash, the trail heads west/northwest up the shallow canyon along scrub covered benches.

After walking 1.3 miles observant hikers will spot the first ruin across the canyon. Over the next 2.7 miles there are 6 more ruins, two of which contain multiple structures and rock art. The other ruins are granaries and/or small ruins tuck into the cliff side. The last is a ruin atop the south rim that was possibly a lookout tower.

This description covers the first four miles of the canyon. Beyond that point the trail continues up canyon to the confluence of McCloyd and Owl Canyons, offering a variety of options for point-to-point backpacks.

Much of the trail is exposed and can get hot in the full sun. Be sure to carry plenty of water.

Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Bluff / Bears Ears NM

Region Information:
Southeast Utah

Other Hiking Regions in:
Utah