San Lorenzo Canyon

5/5 (7 reviews)
Breathtaking skies and fascinating geological features are the hallmarks of this trail. A sandstone masterpiece, San Lorenzo Canyon is home to caves, slots, hoodoos, pillars, springs and "slickensides", a geological term for the angular striations in the rock, formed when moving fault blocks gro...Read More
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Highlights of San Lorenzo Canyon

Camping Category IconCamping
Desert Category IconDesert
Sand Category IconSand
Wash Category IconWash
Water Category IconWater
Highest Elevation
5271 ft
Shape of Trail
Out & Back
Typically Open
Best Direction
N/A
Official Trail Name
NA
Nearest Town
Lemitar
Nearest Services
Lemitar
Management Agency
Bureau of Land Management
District
Socorro Field Office, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge

Overview

Breathtaking skies and fascinating geological features are the hallmarks of this trail. A sandstone masterpiece, San Lorenzo Canyon is home to caves, slots, hoodoos, pillars, springs and "slickensides", a geological term for the angular striations in the rock, formed when moving fault blocks ground against each other 7-10 million years ago. A short drive up the San Lorenzo Arroyo brings you into the lower canyon box, with a spring at its end. San Lorenzo, a desert canyon, hosts saltbush, rabbitbrush, yucca, tree cholla and prickly pear cacti as well as desert bighorn sheep, many bird species including roadrunners, and five (yes, five) types of rattlesnake. So, keep your hands and feet out of places you can't see! There are countless opportunities for hiking and primitive camping along this pleasant desert trail. There are also many side canyons, slots, niches and crevices making it a great place to get out and explore.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Guide Overview
5 Waypoints
17 Trail Photos
1 Trail Concerns
7 Community Reviews
1 Video
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