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Syncline Loop Trail route map
Difficulty: ExpertLoop
Canyonlands National Park/Utah

Syncline Loop Trail

Moab, Utah

8.1 mi

Distance

1,516 ft

Elev. Gain

4h

Est. Time

Loop

Route Type

Expert

Difficulty

About This Trail

The Syncline Loop circles Upheaval Dome through the surrounding canyons but does not offer views of the dome itself. It requires navigating steep switchbacks, climbing and scrambling through boulder fields, and route-finding where cairns are few and far apart, with a total elevation change of about 1,516 ft. NPS calls this the most challenging trail in the Island in the Sky district, and most park rescues occur here; it is not recommended during peak summer heat.

Source: National Park Servicenps.govchecked Jul 24, 2026

Trail Conditions

Trail Conditions

Open

Updated Jul 24, 2026 — may be out of date

No recent condition reports. Be the first to share what you see on the trail.

Trail Details

Route Type
Loop
Surface
Mixed Surface

Official sources & verification

Managed by National Park Service

Verify before you go

Source of truth

Where it is

Nearest town:
Moab, UT · about 21 mi away
County:
San Juan County, UT
Jurisdiction:
Canyonlands National Park · National Park Service

Nearest town and county from U.S. Census Bureau place records and county boundaries.

Verify by phone or mail

  • Operator:435-719-2313
  • Address:Island in the Sky - 33 miles from Moab on UT 313, The Needles - 49 miles from Monticello on UT 211, The Maze - 68 miles from Hanksville off UT 24 - unpaved roads · Moab, UT · 84532
We display cached information from agency feeds. Hours, fees, permits, closures, fire restrictions, and conditions change without notice. Outdoors is not the permitting authority. Confirm current conditions for this trail using the links above before you go — you are responsible for compliance. Last verified by us: Jul 24, 2026. Our copy is more than a month old — please reconfirm with the agency before relying on it.Spot an error in our data?

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Imported route

Nearby Trails

More trails near Syncline Loop Trail
Whale Rock Trail

Whale Rock Trail

0.8 mi
TrailDifficulty: Moderate
Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail

Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail

1.2 mi
TrailDifficulty: Moderate
Upheaval Crater Spur

Upheaval Crater Spur

2.1 mi
Trail

Alcove Spring Trail

5.7 mi
TrailDifficulty: Easy

False Kiva Trail

0.8 mi
TrailDifficulty: Easy
Upheaval Crater Spur

Upheaval Crater Spur

2.1 mi
TrailDifficulty: Moderate

In this park

Other trails in Canyonlands National Park

View Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arch Trail

Mesa Arch Trail

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Druid Arch to Chesler Park

Druid Arch to Chesler Park

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Grand View Point Trail

Grand View Point Trail

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TrailDifficulty: Easy
Whale Rock Trail

Whale Rock Trail

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0.8 mi141 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: Moderate
Cave Spring Trail

Cave Spring Trail

Utah

0.6 mi443 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: Moderate
Gooseberry Trail

Gooseberry Trail

Utah

2.1 mi577 ftgain
TrailDifficulty: Difficult

Stay nearby

Campgrounds near this trail

More campgrounds

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