Visiting the Mule Canyon Roadside Ruins requires 1/2 hour. Hiking Mule Canyon to the
popular "House on Fire" requires approximately one hour round trip. It is easy
to spend an entire day hiking and exploring Mule Canyon and the numerous cliff dwellings
in the canyon. The ideal times for this hike are
spring and fall. This is a desert environment, every member of your hiking
party should carry a minimum of at least one liter of water.
Photographers will want to know that getting the 'on fire' picture of House on Fire requires that you visit the ruin mid-morning (approximately 9:00 or 10:00 am). The trick is to get your pictures when the sunlight is in the bottom of the canyon and bouncing off the canyon walls, but before the sunlight hits directly on the ruins which happens about noon depending on the time of year. A GPS is useful in verifying you are on the correct route and in locating specific ruins. Navigation for this route is easy. Map reading skills and the USGS 7.5' Maps titled "Hotel Rock" and "South Long Point" are recommended. All waypoints and maps use the WGS84 datum. A BLM Backcountry Permit is required to hike Mule Canyon. The closest permit station is a self serve located at the Trailhead.
The trailhead to the Mule Canyon Ruins is located on Utah Highway 95. From Blanding, Utah travel south on Utah Highway 191 for 3 miles to the junction of Utah Highway 191 and Utah Highway 95. Travel west 19 1/2 miles on Utah Highway 95 to mile marker 101.4 and the signed parking lot for Mule Canyon Ruins (N37° 32' 23", W109° 44' 33"). There is paved parking and a pit toilet with a 1/8 mile concrete trail which winds around some restored ruins with information boards. Cool, you have now done the roadside Mule Canyon tourist stop, so jump back in the car. From the Mule Canyon Roadside Ruins travel east for 1/2 mile on Highway 95 to mile marker 102.0. Turn north on San Juan County Road 263 (Arch Canyon). The Mule Canyon Trailhead (N37° 32' 14", W109° 43' 54") is 0.3 miles north on San Juan County Road 263 (Arch Canyon). Parking is limited to a few vehicles. There are good camp sites a bit further up the road. All vehicles should be able to access this trailhead in good weather. Route Information:There is a social trail throughout Mule Canyon. The trail is very easy to navigate since it follows the canyon bottom northwest. You will find numerous ruins in this canyon. All the ruins I know of are noted on the map, these ruins range from a few scattered remnants to outstandingly well preserved archeological finds that will amaze you. The first Anasazi Ruin is located 1 1/4 miles from the trailhead and is very easy to locate since it is only 30 yards off the trail and is in excellent condition. This ruin is known as "House on Fire" (N37° 32' 38", W109° 44' 41") and is a popular attraction to photograph. The ruins continue up canyon for the next 4 miles spaced approximately every half mile. The ruins are always located on the north canyon wall and are not difficult to spot from the trail. Binoculars are great to have along to view detail since several of the ruins require rock climbing skills to actually visit.
If you enjoy Mule Canyon than consider visiting the Butler Wash Anasazi Ruins which are 8 miles east of Mule Canyon on hwy 95 and are clearly marked. This is an easy 1/2 mile hike on a well maintained trail to some great ruins.
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