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.
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.
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.
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!
