STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE

• HIKE NAME: Farnsworth Canyon

• DISTANCE: 2 miles RT if you just hike the “narrows”, 3 miles RT to the Pictographs, and 7 miles RT to the end of the canyon and back

• ELEVATION GAIN: Minimal Elevation Gain <150 feet (for the narrows)

• RESTROOMS: No

• DOG FRIENDLY: Yes

• PERMIT: No

• FEE: No

• VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: High Clearance is NECESSARY // you don’t need 4x4, but there are a couple rocky washes where you’ll need clearance

• TRAILHEAD COORDINATES: 38.666358, -110.615039

• MAP PROVIDED IN WEBSITE: Yes, Gaia GPX (about one mile into the trek, you'll see tracks that take you up and back from another canyon -- avoid this if possible. I was exploring to see if there were any other ruins and its horribly overgrown.)

LWH still holds as my all-time family favorite in Utah, however this is a great alternative if you’re looking for something new. With VERY FEW obstacles and wider narrows, this canyon is perfect for your toddler, grandparent, beginner hiker, or someone that is claustrophobic. You won't find your typical narrows in this canyon, however this is one of the most kid friendly canyons in the Swell.

If you like pictographs, you can also find the sun and shadow panels along this trail. Learn more about the pictographs HERE and these are the perfect turnaround place for kids or a short day hike.

See a video of Farnsworth Canyon HERE.

GETTING TO THE TRAILHEAD:

To get started find your way to the Temple Mountain Road by heading south on Highway 24 from Interstate 70 for 24 miles or north from Hanksville for 20 miles. Head west on the Temple Mountain Road by following the signs for Goblin Park for 5 miles where there is a pullout and kiosk on the right hand side of the road. Just past the pullout on the left is the turnoff to Goblin Valley. Follow the dirt road behind the kiosk going north which is Emery County #1015. Stay to the right around the half mile point and again at the 1 mile point where the dirt road turns up North Temple Wash. As the route continues along the front of the reef it crosses a very rough shallow wash where vehicles will need at least a moderate amount of clearance. The Farnsworth Canyon trailhead comes up about 1.5 miles past the mouth of North Temple Wash making it 2.5 miles from the pavement. It is also possible to get to the trail from the north but the road between Old Woman Wash and Farnsworth Canyon crosses a lot of little washes with sharp dips that are full of loosely packed dirt. Other than that it isn't too bad.