Nestled within the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Powell lies a hidden gem, but only for the adventurous souls. This is Reflection Canyon! This natural wonder, renowned for its awe-inspiring beauty and tranquil scene, beckons backpackers to embark on a journey through the rugged terrain of Utah’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.
This is not an easy adventure, and you must be prepared for it! It would be very dangerous to get lost out here and it is not easy to navigate. Read along to get the insight from my experience backpacking Reflection Canyon in early May.
The Trail to Reflection Canyon
The trail to Reflection Canyon is a tough adventure that promises a peaceful time with nature. Views along the hike are breathtaking, from sage brush desert to tall orange spires and hoodoos. Some of the landscape reminded me of Needles District in Canyonlands National Park, and White Pocket in Arizona.
Hike Details
The hike spans approximately 16 miles round trip and typically takes 3.5 hours to complete on the way in, and about 3 hours on the way out. It is a manageable yet exhilarating trek for outdoor enthusiasts of various skill levels. I would not recommend doing this trip as your first ever backpacking trip, but someone who has a couple trips under their belt can manage.
I did get some blisters due to the up and down of the terrain, so bring bandaids or mole skin to be prepared. Here are the shoes I wore: https://amzn.to/4axBzkB
Reflection Canyon trail is 16 miles round trip. 1,565 ft elevation gain. Expect to navigate up and down sand stone and slick rock with little to no trail markings. For the first 5 miles you will find the trail is very predominate. Then, it will fork. I recommend taking the ‘left’ fork as this cuts off a couple miles compared to the right. Once you take the fork it is very important to use a map or trail guide to stay on route. I used the offline downloadable map from AllTrails to make sure we were staying on the correct trail.
Get yourself some comfy hiking gear here: http://shrsl.com/2jcpv-2p4f-17unv
Important Hiking Note: Know that there is NO WATER available at Reflection Canyon! It is possible to hike down to the lake, but we did not see the best route down and were too tired to try. Because of this, we packed 6-7 liters of water per person! Yes, that does make it a heavy pack to carry.
One hack I recommend is to leave 1 liter of water at mile 4.5 under some rocks/in a dry creek bed to have on the way out. This lessened my pack weight afterwards, and on my way out I had a fresh water to drink! After reading trail reviews it appears that many people do this and have not had their bottles stolen.
This is the hydration bladder I used and put Liquid IV in it to stay replenished: https://amzn.to/3WMM6Fm
Getting to Reflection Canyon’s Trailhead via Hole-in-the-Rock Road
The journey to Reflection Canyon is a long one. Driving through Escalante is absolutely breathtaking, and grab a tea from Kiva Koffeehouse on your way.
You’ll then begin to drive down the not as nice road: Hole-in-the-Rock Road. It is required to have a high clearance vehicle to make it all the way to the trailhead of Reflection Canyon. The rough dirt road can be washed out, but the last 5-ish miles are really tough. Expect slick rock and steep/narrow dirt road. This road itself took us about 2.5 hours to drive down.
There are plenty of other amazing places along the way like Cosmic Ashtray, tons of Arches, and more. Be prepared to be patient while driving, and don’t worry you will not be bored with those views!
You will need a permit for this backpacking trip! Permits are required for all backcountry trips in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and camping on Hole-in-the-Rock road, which includes Reflection Canyon. You can pick up your permit at any of the established trailheads on Hole-in-the-Rock Road.
Arrival at Reflection Canyon
Upon reaching Reflection Canyon, explorers are greeted by a sight that will take your breath away. The sheer sandstone cliffs plunge hundreds of feet into the canyon below, creating a mesmerizing reflection in the tranquil waters of Lake Powell. As the sun begins to set, the canyon comes alive with vibrant hues of red, orange, and gold, casting an ethereal glow upon the landscape.
Photos truly don’t do this destination justice. To the right of the iconic Reflection Canyon shot, you will see a stunning view of Navajo Mountain as well. All around you will be orange cliffs and edges.
Camping at Reflection Canyon
Why backpack to Reflection Canyon?
As a photographer, I was thrilled to be able to shoot sunset, astro, then also sunrise! This is the best light to shoot at Reflection Canyon, and sunrise will give you the best opportunity to capture that reflection on the water. Sunset was pretty windy for us, but the night calmed and it was wonderful.
Important note about camping here: These are not your typical camp spots. There are a few small craters that have sand bases good enough to stake into the ground. If you go on a weekend it is possible these spots get taken quickly since they are at the top of the mound with a view. There are more options below the mound, but it would be a hike up and down every time to see the view.
Another option is to cowboy camp without your tent so you can just set up right on the sand stone. I opted to sleep in my tent and was able to get 2/4 stakes in the ground, then shoved my heavy gear in to the corners that were not staked. I slept extremely peacefully! We only saw one other person here the entire time, and he camped just about 50 feet from us in a separate crater.
Here is my favorite breakfast to eat while backpacking: https://amzn.to/3yyOpSo
Tips for Backpackers
- Pack Light: Given the length of the hike and rugged terrain, it’s best to light and carry only the essentials. I recommend bringing a warm nighttime/sleeping outfit, and your hiking wear. I packed all my clothes in a packing cube & then used that as my pillow! Bring lots of snacks. I brought a dinner and a breakfast dehydrated meal. My sleeping bag for this trip was a 40 degree, and my tent is a lightweight 2 person tent. My pack was a 45 liter osprey. This is a similar version: https://amzn.to/4dM570Q
- Bring Ample Water: Bring at minimum 6 liters of water. I drank/used 6.5 liters, and was happy I brought 7 total. The desert environment can be unforgiving, and there is no shade. You will need all the water!
- Drink Liquid IV to stay extra hydrated & get $5 off by using this link: https://glnk.io/qv1w/earthtosarahphotos
- Wear Sturdy Footwear: Proper footwear with good support is crucial for navigating the rocky terrain safely. I wore trail runners, but probably would have been comfier in boots. Like I said earlier, my feet had a couple big blisters by the end of the hike. Here is a great boot for hiking: https://amzn.to/4bAv3e2
- Leave No Trace: As with any outdoor adventure, it’s essential to practice Leave No Trace principles and leave the wilderness as pristine as you found it. This means packing out everything you have brought in with you, avoiding stepping on wildflowers, always dig holes when using the restroom, and packing out all toilet paper, wrappers, food, and water bottles. The ecosystem is very delicate in the desert and it is so important to respect it. I realized at the beginning of the trail I stepped off a bit and it was very soft. I did not step off again.
Safety Warnings
There is no service out at reflection canyon. I did have a bit of Verizon service at the parking lot of the trailhead. Because of this, it is best to be safe and bring a Garmin or similar device that has SOS capabilities if something were to go wrong. It could be easy to get lost since there are not visible trail markers in some sections. Navigation skills will need to be utilized and we relied heavily on AllTrails navigations and used Gaia as well to compare routes.
In an emergency using a GPS system would be ideal to let people know where you are. Also, remember the way you came from and focus on those landmarks to navigate back to the trail. It is important to watch for flash flood warnings before your hike.
Final Thoughts on Backpacking to Reflection Canyon
Embarking on a backpacking trip to Reflection Canyon is an experience that will ignite the spirit of adventure and leave a lasting impression on all who venture out. From the rugged beauty of the trail to the awe-inspiring majesty of the canyon itself, this hidden gem of Lake Powell is truly one for the books. Again, leave no trace when visiting and be a good steward of the land. Thanks for reading and have an amazing time exploring Reflection Canyon! Keep exploring with me by checking out other destinations I have hiked to recently, and follow me on Instagram at @earthtosarahphotos
Get Reflection Canyon photography prints on my website: https://earthtosarah.darkroom.com
Earth to Sarah 