Horseshoe Canyon is a unit of Canyonlands National Park, situated in a remote part of the high desert in Utah.  We came into the site from Moab, a 2.5 hours drive each way, the last part on a backroad.   We drove on one 47 mile backroad from the town of Green River (we saw no one the entire distance), then drove out on the 30 mile backroad to Highway 24 near Hanksville.   The latter route is a much better one.   The route through the high desert has some sparse vegetation and a few cattle.  One section goes through orange sand dunes.   The route from Green River climbs over ridges and drops through washes with some rough sections.   Eventually either route drives over the high plateau to the lip of Horseshoe Canyon, 700 feet below.

Horseshoe Canyon is a unit of Canyonlands National Park, situated at the northwest end and is known for its Puebloan rock art.   The hike starts at the rim and winds down on a good trail to the canyon bottom.   It is a wide sandy wash and the route is mainly on sand.   There are 4 rock art sites/panels along the route.   Watch for cairns leading up to the either side.   One of the panels is up on a rock shelf inside an alcove.    The distance from the trailhead to the Great Gallery is about 3.5 miles.

The Great Gallery (at the end of the trail) is considered one of the most significant examples of Barrier-style Puebloan art, dating to 2000 to 1000 B.C.   Many of the figures are well-preserved and show great detail.   A bench is provided to sit and study the panel.   Binoculars are available in an ammo box so visitors can see the detailed work and think about what they mean.

The “Holy Ghost” figure is over 7 feet tall and probably had shamanistic significance.   All figures are drawn in brown and red paints on  the sandstone walls.

The hike is out and back.   The walk along the canyon bottom is scenic and pleasant.   Water flows from springs at several points along the way and cottonwoods grow where water is present.   This hike is best suited to a leisurely pace, lunch at one of the art panels, and a contemplative time to think about life for people living in these canyons thousands of years ago.   We climbed the canyon trail back to our truck, happy to have had the privilege of this experience.