Hiking the Murphy Point Trail in Canyonlands National Park
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
Much like the Grand View Point and White Rim Overlook Trail, the Murphy Point Trail is a beautiful out-and-back hike to one of the Island in the Sky’s most panoramic viewpoints!
That being said, the Murphy Point Trail is the longest of these three, but it, in no way, should be considered a challenging hike. In fact, the trail is quite easy and very straightforward, with only about 150 ft. (46 m) of elevation change from the trailhead to Murphy Point.
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Murphy Point Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Murphy Point Trailhead is located directly off of Island in the Sky Road, about 8.7 miles (14 km) past the visitor center on the right-hand side of the road.
In my experience, the Murphy Trailhead is generally not as busy as others nearby, even at sunset, which is generally regarded as one of the best times to do the hike!
Google Maps Directions: Murphy Point Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Canyonlands
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Canyonlands National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
Sun Shirt w/ Hood - A quality sun shirt can be your best friend on a trail with minimal shade, which can be found in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Murphy Point Trail
The Murphy Point Trail begins at the joint trailhead for both the hike to Murphy Point and the Murphy Trail, also called the Murphy Hogback Trail, to White Road.
That said, the Murphy Point Trail is relatively flat, with only a few rolling hills as the trail nears the mesa rim toward the end.
Sun Shirts
If this is your first time in the area, you’re likely unprepared for how strong the sun can be.
For this reason, I recommend picking up a quality, hooded sun shirt if you plan to do any hiking. Protection from the sun cannot be overstated, and in my experience, sunscreen alone has never been enough over a multi-day visit, especially if you’re visiting during the summer season!
At about 0.2 miles (0.3 km) into the hike, the Murphy Point Trail passes by one of many historic ranching structures in Canyonlands National Park, an industry that once dominated many of the accessible pastures that you can see in Canyonlands today.
Murphy Point-Murphy Hogback Junction
Then, at roughly 0.4 miles (0.6 km), the Murphy Point Trail splits with the Murphy Trail, also called the Murphy Hogback Trail, which descends steeply down the mesa to White Rim Road below.
Here, go right to stay on the Murphy Point Trail.
Following the split, the Murphy Point Trail traverses a series of rolling hills, none being too difficult or overly strenuous compared to hikes that descend from the Island in the Sky.
These are Utah Junipers, and according to the National Park Service, the berries are considered to be edible for humans.
However, I have yet to try them for myself.
Utah Juniper - (Juniperus osteosperma)
Murphy Point
At the end of the 1.7-mile (2.7 km) one-way trail, the Murphy Point Trail opens up to this beautiful west-facing viewpoint, standing roughly 1,300 ft. (396 m) above White Rim Road down below!
With this in mind, the Murphy Point Trail is a great option to consider for a sunset hike, but be sure to come prepared for the inevitable long walk back to the trailhead in the dark!
More Canyonlands Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Canyonlands National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
I travel quite a bit, and I know firsthand that finding a good rental car deal can be a challenge, but that’s why I recommend comparing all of your options with Discover Cars.
In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
Book Here: Discover Cars
Discover Cars!
Safety
With summer temperatures that soar well above 100 ºF (38 ºC) and snow storms come winter, both Arches and Canyonlands National Park are known for having extremely variable weather throughout the year.
That being said, heavy snow storms are uncommon in the Moab area, but summer adventures need to carefully be planned around the dangerous mid-summer heat. For this reason, you may consider visiting Moab during the off season in order to maximize your time in either park, while also visiting during a time of year that’s far less crowded.
Furthermore, be sure to know the local forecast if you are hiking during the summer monsoon season, as it’s not uncommon for areas, such as slot canyons, to fill with water rapidly, creating very dangerous situations for anyone inside. On top of this, summer monsoonal weather is typically accompanied by lightning, which can be very dangerous in exposed desert areas like the parks around Moab.
As for Canyonlands specifically, the most important thing to stress is the dramatic cliffs surrounding the Island in the Sky and other parts of the park. Even the Mesa Arch is a deadly cliff, which most photos, such as mine, don’t show.
Finally, there is at least one venomous rattlesnake found across the area, which you can learn more about here.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official Arches and Canyonlands National Park websites.
National Park Service: Arches National Park / Canyonlands National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
Disclaimer
All information provided on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for information or advice from qualified professionals or managing agencies.
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