While I did my best to limit the trails on this list to trails that don’t allow motorized recreation, I have to make an exception for Pritchett Canyon. Most of the year the trail is filled with Jeeps and side-by-sides, but during the winter it transforms into a tranquil canyon paradise that feels worlds away from civilization.
Like most canyon hikes, the trail is pretty straightforward and easy to follow. It’s also well marked to keep vehicles on the right path. You can hike as far as you’d like, or if you’re up for a long hike you can loop Pritchett Canyon with Hunter Canyon. Hunter Canyon intersects with Pritchett Canyon roughly 5.8 miles into the trail for a total hike of roughly 14.5 miles.
Trail Stats for Pritchett Canyon
Location: Moab BLM land
Trailhead Location: Google maps
Bathrooms?: There are no bathrooms at the trailhead.
Trailhead Parking Difficulty: Easy during the winter, but moderate-difficult the rest of the year because the trailhead is also used as an OHV staging area.
Distance: As far as you want.
Elevation Gain: ~825 ft. along the first 4 miles of the canyon.
Difficulty: Easy-moderate depending on how far you hike.
Estimated Hike Time: 2-3+ hours.
Fee: None.
Dog-Friendly?: Yes.
Water Available?: During winter or if it has rained recently.
Best Time of Year to Hike: Winter. The canyon is a popular 4x4 trail during the rest of the year.
AllTrails Link