Emery: Canyons, Trails and History

In Emery County, the landscape ranges from red-rock canyons and badlands to high-elevation alpine meadows. Desert wilderness, trout streams and lakes, and whitewater rivers are also part of this range. This offers a mix of nature experiences, trails, and regional history to help you plan your trip: excursions vary in subject, route type, and time required.

Canyons, Rock Formations, and Hiking Trails

Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon can be explored on an eight-mile loop. Allow nearly four hours for the loop. Little Wild Horse Canyon is part of the wilderness areas designated by Congress around the San Rafael Swell Recreation Area. The Little Wild Horse Trailhead has a parking lot, vault toilets, and an information kiosk.

The Valley of Goblins in Goblin Valley State Park offers a different landscape: the area covers almost three square miles and is open for unrestricted exploration. The trail to The Goblin’s Lair, on the other hand, is listed as a 1.5-mile one-way hike and rated difficult. A loop and a one-way hike are different types of trips; their length and rating can help you distinguish between these options when planning your time and outing.

Dinosaurs, Exhibits, and a Viewpoint

The visitor center at Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry features interactive dinosaur exhibits across more than 2,000 square feet. Named trails include the Jurassic Journey Trail, a 1.5-mile loop with ten interpretive panels, and the Cretaceous Climb. The latter ends at Raptor Point, where there is a viewpoint. Alongside the exhibits, these trails offer different features: a loop with interpretive panels and a route with a viewpoint at its endpoint.

The John Wesley Powell River History Museum also covers several subjects. Its exhibits explore geology, archaeology, and local history. The Old Spanish Trail provides a specific historical connection to the area: it crossed the Green River about 2.5 miles north of the museum.

Traces of the Old Spanish Trail and Local Traditions

The Old Spanish Trail also appears in several route descriptions. A 30-mile OHV loop follows part of the trail. A five-mile hiking trail in the northern San Rafael Swell follows its exact route; a four-mile hiking and horseback riding trail follows the original route. The descriptions distinguish between a partial route, the exact route, and the original route—a useful distinction if you are looking specifically for a motorized outing, a hike, or a combination of hiking and horseback riding.

The San Rafael Swell offers opportunities for OHV riding, hiking, biking, horseback riding, canyoneering, and river trips. For those interested in the Old Spanish Trail and the region’s history, there is also an example of rock art: the Buckhorn Panel belongs to the Barrier Canyon style. You can reach Buckhorn Draw from Interstate 70 via Exit 131 and a 25-mile drive north.

Local traditions also include Melon Days. During the event, melon growers from Green River offer slices of melon. Along with the exhibits and historic routes, this culinary connection adds a glimpse of a regional tradition to the nature experiences.

Explore more destinations: Green River, Orangeville, Kane County, Wayne County, Okanogan County, Beaver County, Iron, Duchesne County

Go to the main travel overview: Utah.