# Best Canyonland and/or Capitol Reef hike advice--a week in mid-March (fly in/out Grand Junction, CO)
**URL:** https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452
**Category:** Trip Planning
**Created:** [February 3, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452 "2026-02-03T19:30:47Z")
**Posts on this page:** 9
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@lkheuv](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/lkheuv)
#### Post date: [February 3, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/1 "2026-02-03T19:30:47Z")
Late 50’s adults and 21 yr old daughter visiting Utah for 2nd time. Never got to Canyonlands but loved the almost 2 days spent in Capitol Reef (also saw Arches, some Escalante, all of Bryce, 2 great days in Zion). Wondering if we should spend a day in Colorado Nat’l Monument on the way, or spend all our time for hiking in Canyonlands and maybe some time back in Capitol Reef. Just day hikes–don’t want to bring camping gear and a little late for permits probably anyway. Does anyone have can’t miss favorites, and would we really need a 4 x 4 to do justice to Canyonlands? I’ve been reading Ryan’s hiking descriptions in Capitol Reef, but so hard to narrow it down. Daughter always likes the most difficult/dramatic, and while she is still willing to hike with us, we will do our best to keep up! Appreciate any thoughts/recommendations. Thanks!
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### Author:  [@pothole](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/pothole)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2026, 12:30pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/2 "2026-02-04T12:30:35Z")
In Capitol Reef, Hickman Bridge is my favorite. Burro Wash from the bottom or Five Mile are favorite canyons. Leprechuan Canyon, south of Hanksville, is amazing if it happens to be not too far out of your way on the drive.
Haven’t done much in Canyonlands, but Colorado National Monument is a stunning drive.
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### Author:  [@ryancornia](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/ryancornia)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2026, 4:47pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/3 "2026-02-05T16:47:27Z")
Depending on you abilities, Ferns Nipple is one of my favorite adventures that is spectacular and a bit challenging.
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### Author:  [@bagholder5150](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/bagholder5150)
#### Post date: [February 10, 2026, 5:34am UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/4 "2026-02-10T05:34:20Z")
Can’t go wrong with base at Goblin Valley State Park north of Hanksville.
From there its an easy drive to Horseshoe Canyon and super cool Pictographs in a beautiful watered canyon.
And just outside GVSP is Little Wildhorse Canyon.
Best two single day hikes I can think of - neither one over half an hour from Goblin Valley.
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### Author:  [@lkheuv](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/lkheuv)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/5 "2026-03-11T14:36:29Z")
Thanks so much. Love your site. If we do it, we’ll probably stop a little before the end, but it looks great.
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### Author:  [@lkheuv](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/lkheuv)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 2:37pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/6 "2026-03-11T14:37:21Z")
Thank you for your recommendations!
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### Author:  [@lkheuv](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/lkheuv)
#### Post date: [March 11, 2026, 2:40pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/7 "2026-03-11T14:40:39Z")
Thank you! We do plan on driving south from Capitol Reef (through Hanksville) to the Needles District, so Leprechaun Canyon might be a perfect stop along the way.
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### Author:  [@bagholder5150](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/bagholder5150)
#### Post date: [April 19, 2026, 12:16am UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/8 "2026-04-19T00:16:30Z")
And Goblin Valley is a destination unto itself.
You guys can wander amongst the Goblins while your daughter can take in the Goblin’s Lair.
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### Author:  [@Flapbag](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/u/Flapbag)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2026, 8:37pm UTC](https://forum.roadtripryan.com/t/best-canyonland-and-or-capitol-reef-hike-advice-a-week-in-mid-march-fly-in-out-grand-junction-co/452/9 "2026-08-12T20:37:05Z")
Sulphur Creek to beat the heat. A small kind of downclimb area that could provide a small fun challenge for you and your fam.