If you’re looking for an easy, family-friendly hike in Capitol Reef National Park, the Grand Wash Trail is the one. This trail takes hikers through a breathtaking canyon with towering 600-ft walls and narrow sections about 15ft wide. You can start the Grand Wash trail either from the Grand Wash trailhead along Highway 24 or from the Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch trailhead at the end of Grand Wash road. If you’re looking for a more substantial hike, you can add a detour to Cassidy Arch. In this blog, we’ll show you the route starting from the Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch trailhead.
Grand Wash Trailhead
UT-24, Torrey, UT 84775
38.278361, -111.192587
Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch Trailhead
Grand Wash Road, UT
38.263734, -111.215840
Decent-sized dirt lot in front of the Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch trailhead. For the Grand Wash trailhead, there are some parking spaces on the side of the road.
There is a fee to hike in Capitol Reef National Park. For more information, check out the park’s website. You can also use your America the Beautiful pass!
Vault toilet at the Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch trailhead.
Leave your pet at home. They are not allowed on the trail!
This area is prone to flash floods. There are many signs warning of flash flood danger. The park also closes the Grand Wash Road during storms. So, make sure to check your forecast before planning your trip.
4.8 miles R.T.
341 ft
Easy
Takes an average 1.5 – 2 hours
The best time to hike this trail is during cooler weather in Spring or Fall. If hiking in the summer, make sure to start early to avoid the heat.
As mentioned above, there are two trailheads for the Grand Wash Trail: one along Highway 24 and one at the end of Grand Wash Road, along Capitol Reef Scenic Drive. The trailhead along Highway 24 will give you faster access to the best part of the Grand Wash Trail, the Narrow Section. The trailhead from Grand Wash Road is closer to Cassidy Arch, and the drive to get there is quite beautiful. We have to coordinate for both trailheads above.
Grand Wash Trailhead
This trailhead is located right along Highway 24. There is a small turnout on the side of the road for parking. If you’re coming from Hanksville, it is about 1.4 miles from Behunin Cabin, on the left-hand side. If you’re coming from the Torrey, it is about 2.7 miles from the parking lot of Hickman Bridge trail, on the right-hand side.
Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch Trailhead
Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch Trailhead is located at the end of Grand Wash Road. To get here, from the Capitol Reef Visitor Center, turn right to follow the Scenic Drive. You will drive past the Fruita Campground. After about 3.4 miles, make a left onto the road to the left. This is the Grand Wash Road. This road is paved for a short distance before turning into a dirt road. There are signs at the beginning of this road warning of flash flood danger. In fact, the park does close this road quite often during storms. So, make sure to keep an eye on the weather. Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch Trailhead is at the end of this dirt road. Make sure to stop and admire the view on this drive. It is breathtaking!
Since we stayed in Torrey, we used the Grand Wash/Cassidy Arch Trailhead. This trailhead is closer to us. Since we wanted to hike both the Grand Wash and Cassidy Arch trails, we started our hike early. This also helped us avoid the heat.
From the parking lot, we made our way to the trailhead. There are many directional signs and warning signs here, so you’ll know exactly where you’ll be going. One of the main warnings here is to bring enough water. This is a desert hike and can get very warm, so make sure to stay hydrated and use sunscreen! We were here in February, so it was actually on the colder side.
After a short distance from the parking lot, you’ll reach the junction for the Cassidy Arch trail. From here, if you want to add on the miles, go left and follow the trail for Cassidy Arch. If you just want to do the Grand Wash trail, go straight and stay on the wash. The Grand Wash trail is very simple. Since it is just hiking along the wash, you won’t get lost.
As you hike along, make sure to keep an eye out for all the cool rock formations. They are super neat to see. We also love spotting all the holes (A.K.A Tafoni) on the walls. They looked like honeycomb or Swiss cheese. Not too far from the start of the Cassidy Arch trail, we came across a big rock amphitheater on the right. This is a really neat spot if you want to hear your voice echoing. We spend quite some time here yelling into the amphitheater.
After leaving this area, the Grand Wash trail becomes more beautiful as the canyon walls rise higher and higher. Along the way, we found a small trail to the left that led up to an interesting-looking area. So, we made a detour. This little trail led up to a small platform where we had to climb up some sandstone ledges. Once we got on top, the area opened to a dry fall with a rock cove underneath. It was a great spot for a nice secluded break. Once we were done checking out this area, we climbed back down to join up with the main Grand Wash trail.
Soon, we reached the best part of the Grand Wash trail, the Narrows. The Narrows is stunning with imposing canyon walls closing in on both sides. These canyon walls are easily 600ft or taller. Although this section is not as narrow as the Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon or the one in Page, AZ, where we did our Via Ferrata, it still feels very intimidating when standing at the base of these 600ft walls.
Along the Narrows, we came across many interesting rock features and formations. Some of our favorites include the interesting black streaks on the rock face, blind arches, big rocky cove where Dustin made his bed, and, of course, a small boulder that looks like it has acne all over.
After leaving the Narrows, it was 0.5 miles before we reached the end of the wash, where Highway 24 is. Once you get closer to the highway, we recommend going under the tunnel. It will lead you to the other side of the highway. Here, you’ll get to see the Fremont River. We really like this small river. There is something poetic about the soft rushing water, framed by dry bushes and rocky desertscape. From here, return the way you came.
If you love slot canyons and washes, check out Cathedral Wash in Arizona and Buckskin Gulch. For more things to do in Capitol Reef, check out Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch trails. We also recommend making the drive to Goblin Valley State Park. That place is beautiful, and you can do a lot in one day.
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While at it, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
This is Vy's favorite hiking bag! It has tons of room for snacks and water!
It's always good to bring a GPS tracker with you. We use the Garmin inReach.
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
If you tend to have foot blisters on hikes, get this! We use this all the time.
These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
Nice to meet you!
Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
Subscribe
Get our best adventure tips, guides and more send to you!
Recent Post
