Navajo Knobs - 9.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Navajo Knobs (6,979') are located 4.8 miles from Hickman Bridge Trailhead in Capitol Reef National Park. These sandstone knobs cap a high rim on the west side of the Waterpocket Fold with panoramic views across Spring Canyon, Whiskey Flat, Mummy Cliff, the Henry Mountains and Fruita Historic District.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The route veers off the Hickman Bridge Trail and follows cairn-marked slickrock slabs and rims up steep contours of the Waterpocket Fold. A striking collection of geologic features line the way, and high points yield rangy views that few other trails in Capitol Reef provide.

While net elevation gain is modest, subtle dips and undulations can be cumulatively taxing, especially in summer heat. Follow cairns closely; though well-marked, the trail is easy to lose and difficult to regain in this indistinguishable landscape:

The trail runs along the Fremont River before turning up to the Hickman Natural Bridge - Rim Overlook + Navajo Knobs split (.3 miles : 5,455').

The Rim Overlook Trail (variously referred to as the Navajo Knobs Trail) veers right and winds across grass and sandstone benches littered with black andecite + basalt boulders carried here by debris flows from mountains west of the park.

Hickman Natural Bridge soon comes into view as cairns lead up a long slickrock slab (1.3 miles : 6,075') all the way to Rim Overlook (2.3 miles : 6,408'). This is a great place to see the exaggerated tilt of the Waterpocket Fold, and turnaround point if not aiming for the knobs.

The trail soon veers off the rim across varied terrain to a ramp-like slab that deposits you on a long, west-facing rim (3.0 miles : 6,525'). It dips along this rim with exceptional views, then bends west to another steep, ramp-like section of open slickrock (3.8 miles : 6,325').

The trail reaches the base of the knobs (4.75 miles : 6,915'), where it wraps on a dirt path to a short scrambling route to the top of Navajo Knobs (4.8 miles : 6,979'). If not keen on this exposed scramble, you can still find comparable views with a little extra maneuvering around the base.