Mule Canyon Indian Ruins

Mule Canyon
Cedar Mesa
Canyon Hiking

The main attraction of Mule Canyon is the Anasazi Indian ruins that can be seen under the cliffs on the north side of the canyon. The Mule Canyon dwellings were built and occupied by the Anasazi about 1200 A.D.

The ruins in Mule Canyon are approximately eight hundred years old, and have never been excavated or restored in any way. These ruins are a precious national treasure and should not be mutilated. This is a chance to visit ruins in a wild setting with no supervision, please respect this opportunity.

General Information:
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 The cliff dwellings in this area.

A GPS is helpful but not required. 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.

Trailhead Information:
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.

Route Information:
There is an unmaintained trail throughout Mule Canyon. The trail is very easy to follow since it just follows the canyon bottom northwest. The ideal times for this hike are spring and fall.

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 best light to capture the fire effect is just before noon.

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.

More Ruins:
If you enjoy Mule Canyon than consider visiting the Butler Wash Indian 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.