Colorado’s Hidden Hike Near Grand Junction You’ll Love

If you’ve always wanted to explore some of the longer trails inside the Colorado National Monument, April and May might be the most comfortable time of year for it. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the high desert in full bloom before the extreme heat dries out wildflowers.

Hidden just beyond all the postcard views is a trail most visitors skip entirely, and that is Ute Canyon. It’s about 7 miles (one way) from the upper to the lower trailhead, but a little planning can turn this into a downhill trek through a quieter, greener world that feels almost out of place in the high desert. Here's a glimpse of what you'll see.

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Where is the Ute Canyon Trail, and How Do You Get There?

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The hike from the upper Ute Canyon to the lower Ute Canyon is found on the east side of the Colorado National Monument. I recommend parking at the lower trailhead used by the Liberty Cap and Corkscrew trails. This trick works if you can hike the route with a friend. One of you parks at the lower trailhead, then hitch a ride with your friend who drives to the Upper Ute Overlook and parks there. Now you can hike the entire canyon, and the person at the lower trailhead drives their friend back up to the top when you are done.

What Makes Ute Canyon Trail So Different From Other Monument Hikes?

Most Monument hikes focus on rim view and rock formations, but Ute Canyon offers a different experience. You’ll hike down a high Canyon wall, passing all kinds of wildflowers on your way to the bottom. Once you are down, you may be surprised to see a small creek, cottonwoods, and more wildflowers. Hike the length of the canyon, past rock towers and high walls, until it comes to an end directly below the Liberty Cap. From here, you’ll see a first glimpse of the car you parked at the lower trailhead.

Trail Stats: What to Know Before You Go

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Ute Canyon Trail is not an easy hike, but it's not a crowded one, either. You can take your time as the trail drops from about 6,500 feet to about 4,800 feet. If you can hike to the end of the canyon and back up to your car, more power to ya, but the downhill version makes this adventure even more enjoyable. The full length of the trail will take most hikers 4 hours or more to complete. End to end, there might be two places with enough shade for one or two people.