Skip to main content
Stav is Lost Logo
Back
  • Find Hikes
    • Most Recent
    • Trip Report Index
    • Peaks Climbed
    • Hikes by Region
    • Search Hikes
  • Map
  • About
  • Love
  • Cart Icon
  • Stav is Lost Instagram
Canyoneer U-Turn Canyon in Arches National Park, Utah - Stav is Lost

Canyoneer U-Turn Canyon Arches National Park, UT

Class 3 3A I (60 ft max) 1.2 miles 400 gain 2-4 hrs Loop
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
DirectionsRoute MapDownload GPX
This route may have access issues.

Free permit required from the Visitor Center.

This is a technical canyon. If you are unfamiliar with how to build anchors or the gear required for canyoneering do not attempt this route.

Nov 06, 2018 — A great, short beginner canyon just inside Arches National Park. Starting at the Park Avenue Trailhead, follow the main road for a short time until a small sign marks a social trail leading to an obvious gully that takes you up some short Class 3 to the top of the mesa. Continue along the rock fin for a short time and enter U-Turn Canyon on the right. A short section of pretty narrows and two short drops (one can be scemmbled down, the other I recommend a handline) lead you to a great view of the rock pinnacles of Park Avenue. You can head north and get an option rappel in, or scramble down Class 2 slabs to the final rappel, off a big boulder on the rim. A social trail leads you back to the Park Avenue Trailhead.

Show me some love

Please consider helping me out if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all site fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing these trip reports is unpaid. You can also hire me as a web developer. I really appreciate it!

Thank you

Next HikePrev Hike
  • Next Hike
  • More Near Here
  • Prev Hike
photo protector Just off the main Arches National Park road on a social trail marked by the brown marker on the left. The gully in the center of this photo is the goal.
Just off the main Arches National Park road on a social trail marked by the brown marker on the left. The gully in the center of this photo is the goal.
photo protector Almost at the gully.
Almost at the gully.
photo protector Class 2+ up the gully.
Class 2+ up the gully.
photo protector Looking back down the gully, the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
Looking back down the gully, the La Sal Mountains in the distance.
photo protector Class 3 short section toward the top of the gully.
Class 3 short section toward the top of the gully.
photo protector Top of gully, looking back.
Top of gully, looking back.
photo protector Top of gully looking toward the route, following a ridge.
Top of gully looking toward the route, following a ridge.
photo protector Looking back along the ridge, a couple domes serving as easy obstacles.
Looking back along the ridge, a couple domes serving as easy obstacles.
photo protector Entering U-Turn Canyon.
Entering U-Turn Canyon.
photo protector
photo protector Downclimb or handline, or rappel if you need to. It's only a short drop.
Downclimb or handline, or rappel if you need to. It's only a short drop.
photo protector Views in U-Turn Canyon.
Views in U-Turn Canyon.
photo protector
photo protector Longest rappel, and the only mandatory one. Others can be handlined, and one can be skipped completely.
Longest rappel, and the only mandatory one. Others can be handlined, and one can be skipped completely.
photo protector Bottom of the rappel.
Bottom of the rappel.
photo protector
photo protector Continuing out of U-Turn Canyon.
Continuing out of U-Turn Canyon.
photo protector
photo protector Approaching Park Avenue Overlook.
Approaching Park Avenue Overlook.
photo protector
photo protector Park Avenue Overlook.
Park Avenue Overlook.

Show Me Some Love

If you find my site helpful, please help me replace my many broken cameras, fund my website fees (hosting, APIs, security), or just support my countless hours of work. I pay for all expenses myself, and all trip reports I post are unpaid and unsponsored, so any support is really appreciated!

If using PayPal, please select their option for "Sending to a friend" so they don't take out fees, thank you.

PayPalVenmoCash App

About  Contact  Love

© 2024 Stavros Basis.

DISCLAIMER: All activities you find on this site are dangerous. I am not responsible for anything you do in the outdoors. Please practice good ethics, and don't take any risks that put yourself or others in danger.