From the east side entrance to Colorado National Monument, drive 0.2 miles past the entrance fee station. The trailhead is on the left side of the road. There is somewhat limited parking. If full, there is overflow parking at the Devil's Kitchen Picnic area that is just across the road from the trailhead, where a paved road goes a short distance to a picnic area. There is a restroom at the picnic area.

From the trailhead, follow the trail south. In just a couple of minutes is the junction with Echo Canyon/Old Gordon Trail, leaving on the left. Go right at this junction.

About a quarter of a mile from the trailhead is the second junction. Go left here to reach Devil's Kitchen. Right goes to No Thoroughfare Canyon.

From the No Thoroughfare junction, the trail heads south on an easy-to-follow path, then crosses the shallow wash. Once across the wash, the trail becomes very braided with a variety of social trails. Head up the slope to the obvious sandstone towers that make up Devil's Kitchen.

After visiting Devil's Kitchen, the social trails continue a few minutes south to a viewpoint looking up at dry falls of the small side canyon. Return the same way.