Fort Bottom Ruin Trail

The Fort Bottom Trail is a moderately challenging hike to two well-preserved ruins in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands. This trail has tight squeezes and steep sections, so come prepared for an adventurous day. The Fort Bottom trailhead is along an unpaved 4×4 road, so you do need a vehicle with decent clearance and 4WD to access this trail. Once you’re there, this hike has so much to offer, the tower-like Fort Bottom Ruin is an incredible structure built approximately 750 years ago by the Ancestral Pueblo People and this structure still stands tall to this day. The other piece of history along this trail is an old cowboy cabin, likely built in the late 1800s by cattle ranchers who lived and worked along the canyon floor. If you are interested in local history, this trail is not one to miss.

From the trailhead, follow the path northwest to the two historic sites.

Once you’ve had your fill exploring the area, follow the same path back out to the trailhead. If you are looking for more to do in the area, check out the Upheaval Canyon Trail nearby.