Overview:
Canyoneering on Hans Flat Road offers an unforgettable adventure in a remote part of Utah’s high desert. The area, located in the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park and the Robbers Roost area, is renowned for its wild, untouched landscapes. Our trip took us canyoneering through five iconic canyons: Tidwell, High Spur, and couple of the Big Springs forks, each with unique challenges and stunning scenery. Here’s a rundown of how to get there, camping options, and details on descending these amazing canyons.
Getting There:
Hans Flat Road is remote, so getting there requires preparation. From Green River, Utah, head south on Highway 24 until you reach the turnoff for the Hans Flat Ranger Station. Hans Flat Road branches off from there. The road itself is a well-maintained dirt track, but it’s rugged in parts, especially after rain. A high-clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended to navigate the bumps, washes, and uneven terrain.
Expect no cell service in this area, so it’s crucial to have a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. We found navigation straightforward but slow, and it’s essential to have plenty of fuel, water, and supplies for the journey.
Camping:
Hans Flat is about as primitive as it gets for camping. There are no established campsites or amenities, so you’ll need to bring everything you need, including water. We found a great dispersed camping spot near the trailheads, offering spectacular sunrise and sunset views over the canyons and wide desert. The sky here is unbeatable for stargazing, far from any light pollution.
Pack out all trash, and be mindful of Leave No Trace principles. There are no restrooms, so bring a portable toilet or be prepared to follow desert waste disposal protocols.
Tidwell Canyon:
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Time: 4-6 hours
Tidwell Canyon is an excellent warm-up for the weekend. It has a mix of technical rappels and narrows. The canyon starts with some moderate downclimbing and tight sections, followed by a few rappels – the largest of which is about 30 feet. The canyon’s sculpted walls and vibrant sandstone formations are breathtaking, and there’s enough variety in obstacles to keep things interesting.
The exit requires a you to retrace your steps and ascend ropes you left on the last two rappels. This canyon gets docked on its rating due to its lengthy approach and exit. The technical section is pretty good. Having a GPS and route-finding skills is essential, as the terrain can be confusing.
High Spur Canyon:
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
Time: 5-8 hours
High Spur Canyon is a true gem of the area and arguably one of the best canyoneering routes in Utah. It features some of the most beautiful slot canyon sections with tight corridors and winding narrows. The start of the canyon offers relatively easy walking through a wide wash, but soon you’re immersed in the famous slots.
Expect multiple rappels (with the longest around 85 feet) and some downclimbing. The narrow sections can be tight, but they open up into chambers with stunning lighting effects. High Spur’s challenge is in its length and technical obstacles, so you’ll want to plan for a full day in the canyon.
The canyon exit is up a steep slope back to the rim, requiring good fitness levels. It’s well worth it for the incredible scenery and solitude.
Big Springs East Fork:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 2-3 hours
The East Fork is the least technical of the Big Springs canyons. It starts with a series of narrow, winding slots that lead into several downclimbs. The canyon’s narrows are tight, requiring some careful downclimbing and stemming to navigate through.
The technical nature of the canyon come from the walls that are often slick, so downclimbing experience is helpful. We encountered some water in sections, though this will depend on recent rains. I’ve heard reports that sometimes there can be running water, but the area was very dry when we visited. The canyon’s sculpted sandstone walls and natural arches provide plenty of beautiful moments, and the play of light in the slots is fantastic for photography.
The exit hike is a bit strenuous, but easy enough compared to many other canyons. Make sure you have a GPS or map handy, as the exit route can be tricky to follow.
Big Springs West Fork:
Difficulty: Intermediate to Advanced
Time: 2-3 hours
The West Fork of Big Springs Canyon is more technical than the East Fork and offers plenty of adventure. You can enter the canyon with a 150 ft rappel of a cedar tree. Don’t expect there to be webbing as we had to tie our rope around the tree and retrieve it on the exit hike. It features a few rappels, the largest of which is around 50 feet, and some challenging downclimbs. This fork is known for its beautiful, winding narrows, which aren’t as tight as in the East Fork but still offer the excitement of classic Utah canyons.
The West Fork’s beauty lies in its contrasts – deep narrows give way to wider chambers, and the walls are a mixture of deep reds and oranges. The canyon’s exit is more straightforward than the East Fork but still requires some route-finding as you climb out to the rim. This canyon was my favorite of all the canyons in this post.
This canyon is a perfect combination with the East fork as described on https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/robbers-roost/bigspring-east-west-canyon.
Big Springs North West Fork:
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 5-7 hours
The North West Fork is a hidden gem, combining aspects of both the East and West Forks. It offers a good balance of technical rappels (up to 70 feet), narrow slots, and wider sections that showcase the area’s unique geology. The entry into the canyon is dramatic, with towering walls that close in as you move deeper into the fork.
This fork features fewer tight sections than the East Fork but has more downclimbing challenges and some interesting ropework through its rappels. There are a few water-filled potholes that may require wading, especially if the area has seen recent rain.
The exit from the North West Fork involves a combination of scrambling and climbing out of the canyon and back to the rim. It’s slightly more demanding than the West Fork but not as tricky as the East Fork.
Final Thoughts:
This trip to Hans Flat Road was a canyoneering was a long time coming. We had discussed it for multiple years! Each canyon had its own character, offering diverse terrain and challenges. For those seeking remote, scenic, and adventurous canyoneering routes, Tidwell, High Spur, and Big Springs canyons deliver in spades. Be prepared for self-sufficiency, as this area is incredibly remote, and help is a long way away. Double-check weather conditions before heading out—flash floods can be deadly in the slot canyons.
A trip like this is for seasoned canyoneers who are comfortable with wilderness navigation and can manage technical descents. For the ultimate desert adventure, Hans Flat Road is a perfect destination.
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