Upper Granary Canyon: Canyoneering and Rappelling

This guide is built to help you make good decisions fast. You will know if this canyon fits your group, what the day feels like, what gear matters, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to watch for with weather, wildlife, and the archaeology that makes this place special.

How to get to the trailhead from Moab

Upper Granary Canyon is typically accessed from the Island in the Sky area north of town. The drive is straightforward, then you finish on a dirt road to a simple parking area.

The most common route

• Start in downtown Moab and drive north on US 191.

• Turn left onto UT 313 toward Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.

• Stay on UT 313 as you climb the mesa. This is the main approach road most visitors use.

• Near the Island in the Sky area, turn onto the dirt road used for Granary Canyon access and follow it to the parking area.

Because the last stretch is on dirt, plan for slower driving than you expect. If it has rained recently, the road can get rutted or muddy and high clearance becomes much more helpful.

What to expect at the trailhead

This is not a developed trailhead with signs and services. Think of it as a pull off and a starting point. Bring an offline map, know your route plan before you leave pavement, and do not count on cell service.

Quick local tips that make the morning smoother

• Fuel up in Moab. There are no services once you head up UT 313.

• Start early if you want cooler temperatures and a calmer pace at the first rappel.

• If the road looks questionable after storms, do not force it. Turning around early is always the right call in the desert.

Is This Canyon a Good Fit for Everyone Involved?

Upper Granary is a great fit if you

• want a true canyoneering day with multiple rappels

• are comfortable with off trail travel and some exposure

• can evaluate anchors, rig safely, and solve small problems as a team

• want a canyon that feels big and scenic without an all day river exit

Choose a different plan if you

• need a marked trail and obvious navigation

• have anyone in the group who freezes at heights

• see thunderstorms anywhere in the region today

• are visiting during the peak wildlife sensitive season and cannot confirm current guidance

If you are excited by the idea but unsure about the technical side, this is one of those routes where a guide can turn a stressful day into a confident, fun one.

What the day feels like

Upper Granary is not one massive “hero rappel.” It is more like a rhythm.

You hike out to the rim with wide open views, then the canyon starts stacking features. You move between slickrock benches, sandy pockets, and short drops. The rappels come in a series, so you get repetition and flow.

The best part is the feeling of being tucked into a real desert canyon system, but not so committed that you lose the option to slow down, regroup, and make smart choices.

This is also a canyon where small navigation mistakes can cost time. The terrain encourages wandering, and it is easy to drift into terrain that is slower or more exposed than you intended. A calm pace and a clear plan matter here.

Rappels and rope plan

How many rappels

For an upper focused day, many descriptions put it in the “several rappels” range. Expect roughly 4 to 6 rappels depending on your variation.

How long are the rappels

Most drops are short to moderate. The longest upper rappel is commonly described in the 75 to 100 foot range, depending on the line you take.

Rope plan that keeps things simple

A common recommendation for Granary is:

• 1 rope around 60 m

• 1 rope around 30 m

• plus a pull cord if your system calls for it

Even if you are only planning the upper section, having a little extra margin is a classic Moab move. Anchors can be farther back than expected, and extending the master point can eat rope.

Anchor reality check

Natural anchors are common here. Trees and other natural features can be used, but they need to be evaluated honestly. Sun exposure, abrasion, and old webbing are real issues in Moab.

Bring extra webbing and be prepared to replace what you find.

Guided Canyoneering Tour Option

If any part of this gives you pause, that is not a red flag. It is good judgment.

A guide is worth it when:

• you want this to feel fun, not like a test

• you are new to outdoor rappelling

• you want clean instruction and efficient rope systems

• you do not want to worry about navigation and anchor decisions

Packing checklist

Must Have

• harness, helmet, device you know how to use

• personal tether and a clean rappel backup plan

• gloves if you like them for sandstone and rope handling

• headlamp even on a day trip

• first aid basics and blister care

• at least 3 liters of water per person in warm conditions, more if you run hot

• food that still sounds good when you are tired and dry

Group Gear

• ropes based on your route plan

• extra webbing and quick links if your practice includes them

• a knife and a lighter for webbing management

• a small repair kit for packs and a way to manage rope snags

• navigation you trust and know how to use

Optional but Nice

• knee pads if you tend to bang knees on downclimbs

• a thin wind layer for the rim

• electrolyte mix for dry desert days

Common Mistakes

• not bringing enough webbing to build or replace anchors

• underestimating how long off trail travel takes

• moving too fast early and burning water before the technical section

• ignoring weather because the canyon “usually feels dry”

Conditions and safety

Flash floods and storms

If thunderstorms are in the forecast, skip this canyon. Desert drainage systems can flood fast, and you do not need rain directly overhead for trouble.

Heat

Moab heat is a different animal. Even “moderate” hiking becomes serious when the sun is high and the air is dry.

If it is warm:

• start earlier than you think you need to

• build shade breaks into your plan

• drink before you feel thirsty

• be willing to shorten the day

Cold, wind, and shoulder season

Spring and fall can still bring wind and sudden temperature swings on the rim. Pack a light layer even if Moab feels warm in town.

Wildlife sensitivity

Granary Canyon is within bighorn sheep habitat. Many local resources recommend avoiding use from April through August, and commercial use may be restricted during that period.

Do not guess on this. Check current guidance before you go. If you are unsure, call the BLM Moab Field Office and ask what is recommended right now.

Archaeology, Ethics and Leave No Trace

This canyon is named for real ancestral structures. Treat the area like an outdoor museum.

• Look, do not touch. Even gentle contact can cause damage over time.

• Never enter structures or move stones.

• Do not build new rock piles or “improve” the canyon.

• Keep your group quiet and respectful when you are near cultural sites.

• Avoid sharing precise locations of sensitive features online.

The goal is simple: leave it so the next group sees the same story in the stone that you did.

Upper Granary Canyon vs Full Granary Canyon

Upper Granary

This is the version most visitors mean when they want a scenic rappel day without major logistics. It is commonly done as a loop style outing that returns you to the rim without a river exit.

Full Granary Canyon

The full descent is a bigger commitment and is often described with:

• longer overall hiking distance

• a river level finish

• a much longer final rappel on many itineraries

• shuttle logistics

If you are visiting Moab for the first time and you are not fully confident in desert route finding and anchor management, the upper focused day is usually the smarter call.