Southern Utah is home to countless geologic wonders and the Golden Cathedral is one of the most mystifying. It’s a jaw-dropping rock formation located in Neon Canyon in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that requires fording the Escalante River numerous times to access.

The hike to the Golden Cathedral is rugged and remote, and not recommended for beginner hikers or those who are not familiar with hiking in the desert. There are a couple of routes that you can take, but I recommend hiking down Egypt Bench, to the Escalante River, to Neon Canyon. Then hiking back out near the mouth of Neon Canyon up a sand dune and across slickrock back to the trailhead. It’s incredibly important to carry the 10 essentials, including a reliable map, when hiking to the Golden Cathedral.

Trail Stats for Golden Cathedral

Location: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Trailhead Location: Google maps

Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Difficult. The road to the trailhead is sandy and rocky, so a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is necessary. 

Distance: 10.2 miles (loop)

Elevation Gain: 2,125 ft.

Difficulty: Difficult (8-9/10)

Estimated Hike Time: 4 ½-5 ½ hours 

Fee: None

Dog-Friendly?: Yes.

Best Time of Year to Hike: Spring & fall.

AllTrails Link (Note: this route features an out-and-back, but you can see the trail that you follow to create a loop, as described above.)