Near Rock Garden Trail
Rock Garden Trail
Near Rock Garden Trail
Looking Northwest into the canyon from a lookout near the first rim.
Near Rock Garden Trail
Along the Rock Garden Trail
Near Rock Garden Trail
Palo Duro Canyon, looking southeast about halfway up Rock Garden Trail.
Near Rock Garden Trail
Looking up at Fortress Cliff along Rock Garden Trail.

Looking for more photos?

View All Photos
Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Rock Garden Trail

4.2 (16 Ratings)
A steady climb with tight switchbacks, broken up with occasional rolling sections.
2.3
mi
Distance
704
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Views

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.28mi
Distance
704ft
Elevation Gain
90ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
3,410ft
High Point
2,796ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Look for the trailhead on the east side of the road shortly south of the Sunflower trailhead. Head up and wind through large boulders, working your way up to the top of the canyon. There are some really nice views along the way and from the top. At the top, there's a fork in the trail. Go right at this fork to continue on Rock Garden Trail that ends shortly at Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail, a dirt road. Going left at the fork takes one to a second fork. At this second fork, going left dead ends at a great overlook, great place for snacking and lunch. Going right at the second fork (after going left at the first fork) puts one on Rock Garden/Fortress Cliff Connector, a short, narrow singlepath trail that also leads to Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail. Drop back down from whence you came. The combination of loose trail, tight switchbacks and more climbing than you may expect, could make the way back challenging.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
Looking for more condition reports?
View History

Nearby Hike Routes

Lighthouse Trail

Hike Route

Lighthouse Trail

Family Friendly
moderate
5.92 mi
+457 ft
Lighthouse - GSL - PDR Loop

Hike Route

Lighthouse - GSL - PDR Loop

Birding
moderate
6.19 mi
+333 ft
Upper Canyon Loop

Hike Route

Upper Canyon Loop

Birding
moderate
6.75 mi
+833 ft
Haynes Ridge - Fern Cave Loop

Hike Route

Haynes Ridge - Fern Cave Loop

Family Friendly
strenuous
6.52 mi
+859 ft
Harbor Bay Trail

Hike Route

Harbor Bay Trail

Geologically Significant
strenuous
10.39 mi
+1,119 ft
Mae Simmons Outer Loop Trail

Hike Route

Mae Simmons Outer Loop Trail

Lake
moderate
6.66 mi
+194 ft
Contributors
Bracken C