Aztec Butte

Distance: 0.9 - 1.7 miles (round trip)

Island in the Sky District, Canyonlands National Park, near Canyonlands in Southeast Utah

Two granaries beneath a ledge on the Aztec Butte trail.

Two granaries beneath a ledge on the Aztec Butte trail.

 

A steep climb up a slickrock dome leads to ancestral Puebloan granaries and outstanding views of Taylor Canyon.
See Trail Detail/Full Description

  • Distance: 1.7 miles (round trip)
  • Elevation: 6,095-ft. at Trailhead
    Maximum elevation: 6,300-ft.
  • Elevation Gain: 205-ft.
  • Difficulty: moderate
  • More Hikes in:
    Canyonlands / Moab / Southeast Utah

Why Hike Aztec Butte

The short, steep climb up scenic Aztec Butte leads to interesting ancient Pueblo granaries tucked into alcoves beneath the butteā€™s north rim and expansive views of Trail Canyon, the Island in the Sky mesa and beyond. On the return a spur trail ascends a smaller sandstone dome and visits two more granaries.

The trail to the top of Aztec Butte is steep and includes some difficult sections. Hikers should be comfortable ascending steep slickrock pitches and scrambling up and down ledges with some exposure. This trail is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.

The trail climbing the smaller dome is a good alternative for hikers looking for a shorter and easier hike.

Elevation Profile

Aztec Butte Elevation Profile

Trail Resources

Trail Detail/Full Description / Trail Photo Gallery / Trail Map

Basecamp(s) Information:
Canyonlands / Moab

Region Information:
Southeast Utah

Other Hiking Regions in:
Utah