Discover Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral in the Utah desert

Discover Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral in the Utah desert

Ford the Escalante River and discover petroglyphs
The sculpting power of the waters of Neon Canyon created a mid-channel cavern whose domed ceiling has three massive skylights. From the interior of the chamber the entire structure may be seen in the reflection pool.
Courtesy of Thomas Holt WardSojourners are lost in reverie gazing into the earth house mirror.

Discover Neon Canyon and Golden Cathedral in the Utah desert

The sculpting power of the waters of Neon Canyon created a mid-channel cavern whose domed ceiling has three massive skylights. From the interior of the chamber the entire structure may be seen in the reflection pool.
Courtesy of Thomas Holt WardSojourners are lost in reverie gazing into the earth house mirror.
Travel basics

Travel: From Escalante, Utah, drive five miles east on Utah State Route 12. Turn south on Hole In The Rock Road and proceed for 16.7 miles. Watch for a small brown sign with white lettering, “Egypt 10 mi.” Turn east and zero-out your trip meter. The road initially presents as flat and graded washboard but it gets rougher as you go. At 2.8 miles, continue straight. The ford of Twentyfive Mile Wash at 3.5 miles is potentially the greatest hazard, especially after rain. Drive cautiously over a stretch of bumpy bedrock. At a “Y”, 9.5 miles, go right. Park at ten miles in a large circular lot. Four-wheel-drive with moderate clearance should suffice. There are no facilities and no water at the trailhead. Allow 1 hour, 10 minutes to 1½ hours from Escalante.


Distance and Elevation Gain: 10 miles with 1,400 feet of climbing.


Time: 5½ to 7½ hours


Difficulty: Primarily off-trail; navigation moderately challenging; no exposure; potentially deep wading in the Escalante River (bring water sandals); flash flood hazard in Neon Canyon.


Map: Egypt, UT 7.5 USGS Quad

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