Grand Gulch Permit: Route
Grand Gulch permits are booked by advance reservation in Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears. The route covers 22.8 miles.
Walk through a canyon where Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings and rock art panels appear around every bend, creating an outdoor museum of human history.
This guide covers the Grand Gulch permit.
3 days minimum
Duration
22.8 miles
Distance
moderate
Difficulty
About Grand Gulch
Grand Gulch Primitive Area contains over 400 documented Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites along 52 miles of canyon. Cliff dwellings, granaries, and rock art panels appear with remarkable frequency. Permits are required for all overnight trips and must be reserved in advance. Day use permits are available at Kane Gulch Ranger Station.
Grand Gulch contains one of the highest concentrations of Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the Southwest. Over 400 documented sites, including cliff dwellings, granaries, and rock art panels, line the canyon. This is archaeology at a density found almost nowhere else.
The Grand Gulch route
- Distance
- 22.8 miles
- Route type
- point-to-point
- High point
- 6,439 ft
- Low point
- 5,356 ft
- Trip length
- 3 days minimum
- Difficulty
- moderate
Points along the route
- Kane Gulch Ranger StationMile 0, 6,439 ft
- Junction RuinMile 4, 5,894 ft
- Stimper ArchMile 5, 5,844 ft
- Split Level RuinMile 10
- Green Mask PictographMile 14.2, 5,445 ft
- Bullet Canyon JunctionMile 15.6, 5,356 ft
- Perfect KivaMile 18
- Bullet Canyon TrailheadMile 22.8, 6,407 ft
Grand Gulch permit detailsandAll Cedar Mesa / Bears Ears permits
The Experience
You round a bend and a cliff dwelling appears, tucked into an alcove as if the inhabitants just stepped away. Handprints cover the wall nearby, left by people who walked this canyon 800 years ago. The next site appears within minutes. Then another. The canyon becomes a timeline of human habitation stretching back thousands of years.
From Kane Gulch Ranger Station, the trail drops into Grand Gulch and follows the drainage downstream. Archaeological sites appear with remarkable frequency, from small granaries to major cliff dwellings like Perfect Kiva and the Junction Ruin.
The canyon can be hiked as an out-and-back, or combined with Bullet Canyon to walk out at the Bullet Canyon Trailhead, 22.8 miles from Kane Gulch by the BLM's count. Multi-day trips access the most significant sites deeper in the canyon.
What to Expect
52 miles of canyon with 400+ archaeological sites
Variable trip lengths from day hikes to week-long traverses
Major sites include Perfect Kiva, Junction Ruin, Green Mask
Permit required with limited daily entries
Some wading in canyon bottom
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Be first to know when cancellations happen.
Permit Requirements
Permit required for all overnight trips (advance reservation)
Day use permits available at ranger station
Do not touch, climb on, or enter archaeological sites
No camping within sight of ruins
Pack out all waste including human waste
Gear & Preparation
Required Gear
- •Water filter (seasonal pools and springs)
- •WAG bags for human waste
- •Detailed maps
- •Sturdy footwear for rocky terrain
- •Sun protection
Recommended Gear
- •Binoculars for viewing ruins from distance
- •Camera with telephoto for details
- •Camp shoes for wet crossings
- •Trekking poles
- •Leave No Trace ethic
Hazards & Safety
Flash floods in canyon
Unstable archaeological structures (do not climb)
Heat in summer
Water scarcity in dry years
Cryptobiotic soil damage
Best Time to Visit
March-May and September-November. Summer is hot. Winter brings cold nights and possible snow.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Grand Gulch permit?
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Grand Gulch permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Grand Gulch?
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March-May and September-November. Summer is hot. Winter brings cold nights and possible snow.
How long is the Grand Gulch route?
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The route is 22.8 miles, as a point-to-point. Plan on 3 days minimum.
How difficult is the Grand Gulch route?
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History enthusiasts and backpackers seeking cultural connection to the past.
What gear do I need for the Grand Gulch route?
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Essential gear includes: Water filter (seasonal pools and springs), WAG bags for human waste, Detailed maps, Sturdy footwear for rocky terrain, Sun protection.
Don't Miss Your Grand Gulch Permit
Cancellations happen every day. PermitSnag monitors Grand Gulch availability 24/7 and alerts you the moment a spot opens up.
Get Permit AlertsSet your Grand Gulch alert from your phone.
Someone cancels, and the opening shows up on your Lock Screen with the booking page one tap away.
