Horseshoe Canyon Access Road

Horseshoe Canyon Access Road is an easy offroad trail for almost any vehicle. The trail ends at a large camping area and a hiking trailhead. This area is known for its rich pre-European history. The 8-mile round trip hike into Horseshoe Canyon begins with a descent and then follows the sandy canyon bottom. There are several dinosaur footprints in the ancient sandstone. Along the walls of the canyon are at least four pictograph panels. The famous Great Gallery is the final panel along the hike. Massive painted figures from the Archaic period stare down from high on the sandstone walls of a large alcove. Archeologists can't date them precisely, but they are at least 2,000 years old and perhaps up to 6,000 years.

There is ample camping at the trail's end, with plenty of flat places, established fire rings, and a vault toilet. The camping is close quarters. The likelihood you will have this area to yourself is extremely slim. If private camping is more of your thing, there is an unnamed spur just off this road with a few secluded campsites that still allow easy access to wake up in the morning and tackle the hike.