Visiting False Kiva (after the Closure)

False Kiva and views out into Holeman Canyon, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — False Kiva and views out into Holeman Canyon

In Island in the Sky, one can find an unofficial trail that everyone seems to know about: False Kiva. I’m not sure if it’s never become official because of the sensitivity of the area or because of some other reason, but there’s a well–worn path much of the way from the road down a wash, through some rocks, and finally into an alcove with a round stone structure that some thought might be part of an ancient kiva. (I guess it’s not.) Part of the alcove was closed off a few years ago (more on that later), but you can still hike to the alcove and see the great view down Holeman Canyon – it’s still very much worth the effort!

Quick Stats

Round Trip Length: 2.4 miles Trail Type: Out & back Elevation Gain: 778ft. Pets: No Fees: $30/vehicle

The "trailhead" for the route to False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — The “trailhead” for the route to False Kiva

You’re not allowed to park at the trailhead (it’s unofficial, remember), so take your vehicle to the safety of the Alcove Springs Trailhead pulloff. Walk back up the road (back toward the main park road, not toward Upheaval Dome (left if your back is to the Alcove Springs Trailhead)) for a tenth of a mile. The unmarked trailhead is on the other side of the road – it looks like little more than a sandy path that parallels the road before heading right across the desert.

Looking back toward the Alcove Springs Trailhead from the False Kiva Trailhead, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Looking back toward the Alcove Springs Trailhead

A short distance from where the trail leaves the road, the NPS has put up a signboard. It mentions the closure and possibly would say if the entire trail was closed or other notifications, but it doesn’t give enough information to know what you can and can’t do since the closure took effect. Don’t worry; you’ll be able to see the alcove, the false kiva, and great views.

Beyond the signboard and heading for False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Beyond the signboard

Follow the path as it descends through the desert brush and finally into a wash. The trail continues to descend with the wash for a bit. It’s fairly well-cairned, so keep your eyes open for where the trail goes up and around on the left.

Hiking down the wash toward False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Hiking down the wash

It’s hard to tell while you’re walking exactly what the path does. You can see it in many places, and there are cairns, so you can just keep walking. But what you can’t really tell is that 1) the trail has turned right, and 2) you’re picking your way through a rock slide area between two sheer cliffs (one up, one down) at the head of Holeman Canyon. To be honest, I found it much harder to descend this section than to go back up – scrambling down was seriously hard work, and I was concerned about trying to reascend it!

The switchback to False Kiva from above, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — The switchback from above

And then the path passes below the alcove before turning right in a long switchback to take you up into the alcove. It was a relief to get here, as the path, while not a stroll in the park, was easier than descending through the rocks.

False Kiva from behind the barricade, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — False Kiva from behind the barricade

A rope railing on metal wire/posts in a short pile-of-rocks wall shows you the boundary of where you’re allowed to go in the alcove. You can’t miss it and also it doesn’t feel as unfriendly as many barriers. I gather that some people were coming into the alcove and disturbing the false kiva, marking stuff up, etc., so the NPS closed it in hopes of preservation.

One of my group members patiently waiting for me at the edge of the alcove of False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — One of my group members patiently waiting for me at the edge of the alcove

I also believe that there is a security camera that goes straight to headquarters, though I’m not certain on all that. Suffice to stay, stay behind the fence – your compliance (and mine) will help to keep the area open for ourselves and others in the future.

Closeup of the False Kiva - zoom lenses are useful sometimes! Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Closeup of the False Kiva – zoom lenses are useful sometimes!

And the view? I can’t speak to what people saw before, except for some highly edited footage I’ve seen online of stars, etc., from the alcove. I can tell you that you can see the false kiva fairly well and that the views down Holeman Canyon are phenomenal.

Views out to Holeman Canyon, the Candlestick, Elaterite Butte (I think), and Bagpipe Butte (also I think) from False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Views out to Holeman Canyon, the Candlestick, Elaterite Butte (I think), and Bagpipe Butte (also I think)

I only met one other person on a weekday in May, and he was coming back as we were going down. I expect he could see us coming and decided to give us our privacy. At any rate, we had a grand 10-minute chat about the most obscure hikes in Utah (it’s not often you meet someone who knows as much as or nearly as much as you about these trails!), and then we both went our separate ways.

A lonely tree below the False Kiva alcove, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — A lonely tree below the alcove

After snapping a few photos or enjoying the tranquility of the alcove for a few minutes, retrace your steps to the parking area. Remember, leave no trace of your visit!

Looking down Holeman Canyon while descending the rocky section of the trail to False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Looking down Holeman Canyon while descending the rocky section

Round Trip Trail Length: I went 2.4 miles including the distance to and from the Alcove Spring pulloff

Elevation Gain: 778ft. (5,707ft. to 5,181ft.)

Facilities: None

Fees: $30/vehicle, valid 7 days at both Island in the Sky and Needles districts of Canyonlands National Park. America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Lands Passes and Southeast Utah Annual Park Passes are accepted.

Observation Rock (left) and Cleopatra's Chair (front and center) above the canyon housing the Green River, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Observation Rock (left) and Cleopatra’s Chair (front and center) above the canyon housing the Green River

Trail Notes: While the trail wasn’t especially hard to follow, it did have a few confusing places. I recommend that you be very comfortable with desert off-trail travel before attempting it, especially because of the rock scramble. Going down was much harder than going up for me; I expect it’s because, while the scrambling rarely gets worse than Class 2+, the rocks are slippery in places. Remember to obey all NPS rules and regulations, respect boundaries, and enjoy your time on this hike!

Trail

Road

Signs

Scenery

Would I go 100 miles out of my way for this?

Overall Rating:

A tree along the rocky section of the False Kiva Trail, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — A tree along the rocky section of the trail

GPS Coordinates for False Kiva

TH (Alcove Spring Pulloff): 38.4229640°, -109.9087880° (38°25.37784′, -109°54.52728′ / 38°25’22.6704″, -109°54’31.6368″) (5,687ft.) (0.0)

Leave Road (not the right TH): 38.4210750°, -109.9085630° (38°25.26450′, -109°54.51378′ / 38°25’15.8700″, -109°54’30.8268″) (5,708ft.) (0.15)

False Kiva: 38.4191280°, -109.9190850° (38°25.14768′, -109°55.14510′ / 38°25’08.8608″, -109°55’08.7060″) (5,575ft.) (1.22)

Return to the road (real TH): 38.4215620°, -109.9086510° (38°25.29372′, -109°54.51906′ / 38°25’17.6232″, -109°54’31.1436″) (5,704ft.) (2.29)

End (Alcove Spring Pulloff): 38.4228940°, -109.9088000° (38°25.37364′, -109°54.52800′ / 38°25’22.4184″, -109°54’31.6800″) (5,688ft.) (2.38)

Cliffs in Holeman Canyon from False Kiva, Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, Utah — Cliffs in Holeman Canyon

The gpx file for the False Kiva Route can be downloaded – please note that this and the GPS Coordinates are for reference only and should not be used as a sole resource when hiking this trail.

Download GPX File size: 27.7 KB Downloaded 20 times

(Note: I do my best to ensure that all downloads, the webpage, etc. are virus-free and accurate; however, I cannot be held responsible for any damage that might result, including but not limited to loss of data, damages to hardware, harm to users, from use of files, information, etc. from this website. Thanks!)

Visual route map and elevation profile for the False Kiva Trail

Getting to the False Kiva Trailhead

From Island in the Sky Visitor Center, continue south (further into the park) on the main park road. After 6.3 miles, turn right onto the Upheaval Dome Road (the only large junction with another paved road). The Alcove Spring Trailhead is on the right 3.6 miles later. If you get to the loop at the end of the road, retrace your vehicle’s steps 1.2 miles to the pulloff on the left.

More Hikes in Canyonlands National Park

My favorite guide to Canyonlands National Park goes far beyond the traditional viewpoints to the jeep roads and routes that take you to beautiful scenery and little-known histories. But it’s the maps that really make it special. Buy your copy here!