Murphy Hogback B Gear Checklist
Murphy Hogback B is the middle of three sites 45 miles along the White Rim Road, about 5.5 hours of driving from the visitor center per the park. One driving party camped here at the top of the climb, walked to the rim at golden hour, and noticed that the nearest other camp sat far away across the road. The directory and the blogs disagree on how much wind shelter B really has.
What shapes your gear on Murphy Hogback B
- Where it sits
- The park lists Murphy Hogback (A-C) at 45 miles from the visitor center, about 5.5 hours of driving, with 3 sites sharing 2 toilets.
- How B differs from A and C
- A camping directory calls B a medium site with views of Candlestick Tower, mostly packed dirt and sand with patches of slickrock. It lists a couple of trees and a rock overhang for shade and fairly good wind shelter. B shares a toilet with A, which sits closer to A, and A and B are within walking distance but out of sight of each other. C is described as a separate site with its own toilet.
From The Dyrt
- A driving party at B
- A party of two reached B at the top of the climb after a 20-mile day from Gooseberry A. They called the site huge, with room to wander. The nearest site was a long way off on the other side of the road and held a group of mountain bikers with support vehicles.
- The rim walk
- The same party walked to the rim at golden hour, looked down at the road they had climbed, and photographed shadows on the canyon walls. The next morning they drove down the back side of the hogback and looked down toward the Green River.
- The climb below camp
- A driver's blog calls the hogback a one-way hillside with no place to turn around until the top and advises low range. A planning guide says the road there is only wide enough for one vehicle.
From Fox in the Forest and Earth Trekkers
What the agency requires on Murphy Hogback B
An overnight permit for this designated campsite
An overnight permit is required for all overnight trips along the White Rim, and campers need a permit for a designated campsite. In spring and fall, demand for overnight permits frequently exceeds the number available.
High clearance and four-wheel drive in low range
The road requires a high-clearance, four-wheel-drive vehicle with low range. Towing for a disabled vehicle can cost more than $1,000.
Water carried in
Bring at least 1 gallon (4 L) of water per person per day, and more if you will be active.
Camp without fire or a generator
Fires and generators are not allowed. Each site holds up to 15 people and 3 vehicles, and motorbikes and trailers count as vehicles.
What hikers carry on Murphy Hogback B
A camera for the rim at golden hour
The party at B walked out to the rim in late light to look at the road they had just climbed, and spent the time photographing shadows on the walls across the canyon.
Your own windbreak, whatever the directory says
The directory credits B with a rock overhang and fairly good wind shelter. Writers who stayed on the Hogback described little protection apart from a few tiny juniper trees, wind that can be relentless, and only a few boulders for shelter from wind and storms.
From The Dyrt, Fox in the Forest and The Kid Project
Stakes for sand and for rock
The directory describes B as mostly packed dirt and sand with patches of slickrock. A family that camped on the Hogback found the ground rocky, which made tents harder to secure.
From The Dyrt and The Kid Project
Radios for the narrow climb
One party had a friend spot them from below on a walkie talkie and warn them about motorcyclists coming down, which they could not see over the steep road. They sounded the horn and squeezed past with mirrors folded in.
From The AZ Hikeaholics and Earth Trekkers
A WAG bag for emergencies only
A biking party noted that the campgrounds all have pit toilets, so a WAG bag was only for an emergency. B shares its toilet with A, which sits closer to A.
From Greg Willis and The Dyrt
15 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.
Plan a trip hereWhat hikers regret or leave behind on Murphy Hogback B
Assuming B is private
The party at B shared the hilltop with a group of mountain bikers and their support vehicles at the next site across the road. A 2008 forum poster remembered Murphy's as busy on their trips. Expect neighbors.
From 2021 Utah Off-Roading and MTBR forum
Trusting the shelter claim
The directory lists an overhang for B, yet a driver's blog and the 2008 poster describe the hill as relentlessly windy. The sources do not agree, so do not leave the windbreak at home.
From The Dyrt, Fox in the Forest and MTBR forum
Planning a fast last hour
A driving party averaged only about 5.5 mph on the day they climbed the hogback and called it one of the biggest challenges of their trip.
From The AZ Hikeaholics
Gear questions for Murphy Hogback B
Does Murphy Hogback B have shade?
The directory lists a couple of trees and a rock overhang at B. Blogs about the Hogback describe tiny juniper trees and little shelter. Bring your own cover.
From The Dyrt, Fox in the Forest and The Kid Project
Is Murphy Hogback B big or small?
Sources differ. The directory calls B a medium site, while the party that camped there called it huge, with room to wander and a neighbor far off across the road.
From The Dyrt and 2021 Utah Off-Roading
How far is Murphy Hogback B from the visitor center?
The park lists the Murphy Hogback camp at 45 miles and about 5.5 hours of driving. One party drove 20 miles that day from Gooseberry A to B.
From Canyonlands National Park (NPS) and 2021 Utah Off-Roading
How does Murphy Hogback B differ from A?
The directory calls A large with panoramic views of Murphy Canyon and B medium with views of Candlestick Tower, more sand, and a rock overhang. A and B share a toilet that is closer to A, and they sit within walking distance but out of sight of each other.
From The Dyrt
Sources
- White Rim Road · Canyonlands National Park (NPS) · Agency
- Murphy Hogback Backcountry Campsite, Canyonlands National Park · The Dyrt · Forum thread
- White Rim Trail (Canyonlands National Park) · 2021 Utah Off-Roading · Trip report
- Biking and Driving the White Rim Trail Clockwise · Fox in the Forest · Blog
- Planning your White Rim Trail Trip · The Kid Project · Blog
- White Rim Road Itinerary: 4 Days in Canyonlands National Park · The AZ Hikeaholics · Blog
- White Rim Road: Detailed Planning Guide and Checklist · Earth Trekkers · Blog
- Biking the White Rim Road in Canyonlands · Greg Willis, Greg Willis · Blog
- White Rim campsites? · MTBR forum · Forum thread