Trail Overview
Lathrop Canyon is a scenic and moderately challenging 3.9-mile spur trail off the iconic White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park, providing direct access to the Colorado River. Descending from the White Rim sandstone down steep, tight switchbacks into the canyon floor, the trail transitions from barren desert cliffs to lush groves of green cottonwoods and tamarisk.
Upon reaching the canyon bottom, the trail leads directly to a day-use area on the banks of the Colorado River, featuring picnic tables, a vault toilet, and welcome shade. While swimming or wading in the river offers a refreshing escape from the desert heat, visitors must exercise extreme caution as the current can run deceptively fast despite a large boulder diverting the main flow. Flash floods present a severe hazard in this tight drainage; heavy rain can rapidly wash out the road and dramatically increase the difficulty of the sandy crossings, so checking local weather forecasts and park road conditions before departing is essential.
Difficulty
This trail is mostly dirt, with a few washes you may travel through. If there has been a heavy rain, there is a potential for flash floods in this area. Also, keep in mind that if a flash flood has come through recently, this trail rating may change, as water quickly deteriorates the quality of the washes and the roads you'll be driving on. My party did this in a slightly modified Ram 1500 and a bone-stock Toyota Tundra.
Access Description
Located within the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park, a National Park Service day-use or overnight permit is required to drive the White Rim Trail and access Lathrop Canyon. All vehicles must be street-legal, and off-highway vehicles (OHVs, ATVs, UTVs) are strictly prohibited within the park.
