The Murphy Trail

Table of contents
Route Description for The Murphy Trail
The Murphy Trail is a 6.4 km, out-and-back style hike with gorgeous views of Canyonlands National Park. There is one section of this hike that is fairly exposed, so if you are afraid of heights, this trail might not be the best choice for you. If you struggle with steep sections, bring along the hiking poles to help your journey up and down the switchbacks. The Murphy Trail gets hot and sunny throughout the day, so wear good sun protection and bring lots of water for everyone in your hiking party. Don’t forget the camera either—The views from this trail are absolutely gorgeous!
From the trailhead, follow the path to a divide and take a left. Head down the switchbacks to the second divide in the trail. Take a right and follow the path a short distance to a viewpoint before turning around and heading back the way you came.
The Murphy Trail is a subsection of a larger trail network; if you want to extend your time exploring in this area, check out the Murphy Loop, the Murphy Hogsback, and the Murphy Wash trails.
Getting to the The Murphy Trail Trailhead
From the Island in the Sky Visitor Center, follow Grand View Point Road for 8.6mi to the Murphy Trailhead on the west side of the road.Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
No
When to do:
March to November
Pets allowed:
No
Family friendly:
Older Children only
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
The Murphy Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews
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