Moonflower Canyon is easily accessible and located about 10 minutes from Moab, Utah.  This is a fun canyon that offers lots of different interesting things such as Native American rock art, a replica ladder typical of what Native Americans might have used, a stream, large cottonwood trees, and even some ruins.  The camping area seems to be only for group camping only.  Visit this link for more information: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/256346

The rock art panel is located to the right of the large parking area.  I found symbols, people, animals, spirals, lines, and more.  You will quickly see how vandalized this canyon has become.  People have been carving or painting their names on the canyon walls for many years.  In fact, you will see names from around the 1900’s.   Some of the petroglyphs are from the date range of 5000 BC up to about AD 1.  And according to the information kiosk “the panel includes a Barrier Canyon style anthropomorph (a large triangular figure with headdress)…”  If you don’t know what Barrier Canyon style rock art is please take a look at our Trek on the Sego Canyon Rock Art to see more fascinating examples.

The ladder is really fun!  There is a crack in the sandstone wall that people have jammed logs in it to make it climbable.  Enjoy but be careful!

As you walk towards the back of the canyon, you will notice the stream that goes directly in the middle of it.  In winter, even in freezing conditions, a good flow was still visible.  You will pass huge cottonwood trees and many other types of trees too.

As I was walking on the trails, I kept seeing damage on the rocks from people shooting their guns at the sandstone.  It made me kind of sad to see that this beautiful canyon had so much trash and damage from people.  This was an open camping area after all and I’m sure it was busy in its prime but that doesn’t mean you have an excuse to throw your plastic bottles in the bushes.

Like I mentioned before, the canyon is pretty short.  It’s only about a third of a mile to the back.  At the end, you might find a large pool of water.  I hiked up the rocks that you see in front of you and found piles of rocks placed on top of each other in a circle.  I also found more vandalism and graffiti too.

I haven’t rappelled in this canyon but I have read that someone died here doing some canyoneering.  You can read more about it the Moab Times.