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Sand Canyon


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Sand Canyon

Trails within the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, with areas for hiking and mountain biking.

Located near Cortez, Colorado this canyon and its trails are located within the Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, managed by BLM. Access the canyon from either end.  The elevation difference between the two trailheads is 1390,' but there are many side trails off the main canyon.  See and download the BLM map: 

Lower Trailhead (McElmo Canyon): Located about 12 miles west of Cortez on County Road G. Parking is on an unimproved slickrock surface on the north side of the road. 

Upper Trailhead (Sand Canyon Pueblo): Accessible via County Road N, leading to the Sand Canyon Pueblo site. 

The Monument boasts the largest concentration of Pueblo Indian (Anasazi) ruins in the U.S. with about 6,000 recorded archaeological sites! These are just the sites that have been recorded and documented.  The Visitor Center is located at 27501 Highway 184, Dolores, CO, 81323. 970-882-5600.

Alternate titles -

Sand Canyon trail - 13 miles, 1961 ft elevation gain
Rock Creek - 11.7 miles, 1108 ft elevation gain
East Rock Creek - 11.7 miles, 1108 ft elevation gain
Blue trail

  • 5,900 ft
Map
  • AllTrails
  • BLM
  • CoTrex
  • Hiking Project
Activities
Trip Reports
Titles

This is a list of titles that represent the variations of trips you can take at this route/place. This includes side trips, extensions and peak combinations. Not seeing a title that fits your trip? Log in and send us updates, images, or resources.

  • Sand Canyon - Sand Canyon trail
  • Sand Canyon - Rock Creek
  • Sand Canyon - East Rock Creek
  • Sand Canyon - Blue trail
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