Murphy Point Canyonlands Hike, Utah

Grand Canyonlands scenery

If you’re looking for great scenery and a peaceful, relaxing outing do the Murphy Point Canyonlands hike in the Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park. It’s all of 1.8 miles one way to the Murphy Point Overlook – with 150 feet of elevation gain. Once there, the views of the western end of Island in the Sky are superb. Reportedly this is a good hike for the morning when the lighting is good and of course at sunset.

I have a tendency to choose longer, harder hikes but sometimes that’s not the right choice. This was one of those times. We’d already checked out the short 1.0 mile loop hike around the famous Mesa Arch so the Murphy Point hike in Canyonlands was a good place to have lunch and yet be back in time for some R&R before dinner. I had to remind myself that I was on a holiday and I didn’t have to go at my usual frantic pace.

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Mesa Arch in Canyonlands
Mesa Arch in Canyonlands

Finding the Murphy Point trailhead

The Murphy Point Trailhead in Canyonlands is about an hour’s drive from Moab. Signage is excellent in the park so with a map, available at the Visitor’s Centre, you’d have no problem finding it.

Basically you leave Moab on Highway 191. Stay on it for 11 miles to reach Utah Highway 313 West and turn left. Continue for 14.6 miles. Continue onto the Grand View Point Road – Island in the Sky Road for 15.9 miles.

You’ll pass the Island in the Sky Visitor Centre – which is a great place to pop in and get information about the Murphy Point trail and many others nearby.

Visit the Canyonlands National Park website for more information.

The start of the Murphy Point hike in the Islands in the Sky area
The start of the Murphy Point hike in the Islands in the Sky area

Murphy Point Canyonlands trail description

The hike is generally flat with only one small hill – so it’s perfect for families as long as you keep your kids away from the edge.

Just a half mile into the Murphy Point hike in Canyonlands you pass the remains of a historic corral pictured below, reportedly a remnant from an era before the national park was formed (which occurred in 1964), when the land was used for grazing cattle. You also can’t help but wonder what stories these rocks could tell.

Reach a junction. If you go left you end up descending steeply to the White Rim Road, so stay right. Hike on a well-used trail admiring views as the land narrows.

Enjoy some photography, off-trail exploring, and hanging out before retracing your steps back to the parking lot.

All told you need a couple of hours to do this hike – as you’re going to want to spend some time at the edge just soaking in the view.

Historic corral at Murphy Point Canyonlands
Historic corral at Murphy Point Canyonlands
A blast of spring colour
A blast of spring colour
Looking back at my friends on the easy Murphy Point Canyonlands hike
Looking back at my friends on the easy Murphy Point Canyonlands hike
The closer you get to the rim the more spectacular the scenery
The closer you get to the rim the more spectacular the scenery
People admiring the Green River scenery
People admiring the Green River scenery
What a view from my perch at the end of the Murphy Point Canyonlands hike
What a view from my perch at the end of the Murphy Point Canyonlands hike
John and I both adore this kind of hiking in red rock country
John and I both adore this kind of hiking in red rock country
Looking down at the Green River
Looking down at the Green River
My friend Jo getting close but not too close to the edge
My friend Jo getting close but not too close to the edge
More great views from Murphy Point Canyonlands
More great views from Murphy Point Canyonlands

Camping at the Murphy Point Overlook

At one point one camping permit per night was given out for Murphy Point. Check at recreation.gov to see if you can find out more information.

Certainly when we were there, people were camping and it is one magical spot. You would need to cart in water, but it’s under 2 miles from the parking lot. 

What a view from the tent - Murphy Point Canyonlands
What a view from the tent

The Green River Overlook

Drive a short distance down the road and then do a quick hike (5 minutes) to the Green River Overlook. From the top at 6,000 feet you can see The White Rim Road, the Maze, the Green River, Cleopatra’s Chair, Turk’s Head, Ekker Butte, and even more notable rock formations.

It’s definitely worth a side trip.

Looking down at the Green River
Looking down at the Green River from the Murphy Point Canyonlands trail
Stunning views of the Green River Valley
Stunning views of the Green River Valley from the Green River Overlook
Lots of other hikes in the Islands in the Sky Area
Lots of other hikes in the Islands in the Sky Area

Where to stay in Moab

Unless you’re camping, my recommendation would be to stay in Moab.

You’re well positioned then to explore Arches National Park, as well as other parts of Canyonlands National Park. It’s also worthwhile to check out Deadhorse State Park, especially at sunrise.

My favourite place to stay is theSunflower Hill Inn. I love the ambiance and their breakfasts are fantastic.

TheBest Western Plus Canyonlands Innis also a great choice.

If you don’t might being a short distance out of Moab, theRed Cliffs Innwould make a fine choice. We loved a dinner there one night.

Sunflower Inn in Moab
Sunflower Inn in Moab

More reading on hikes and travel in Utah

Arches National Park and nearby

Capitol Reef National Park

St. George – Kanab area

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Murphy Point Canyonlands hike, Islands in the Sky Area, Utah

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