Though a good hike, this is a tough hike to recommend given all of the other amazing hikes in the nearby area. This is a hike I would NOT recommend without a car shuttle. Though the shuttle could be mountain biked, I would not recommend it.

Ok, enough of a disclaimer. With a car shuttle, this is a pleasant stroll down the deep and colorful Cane Wash. Just before the river, a rock art side is visited, then the trail meanders down along the San Rafael River to the exit trailhead.

There is decent primitive camping at the trailhead, or even better, at the San Rafael Campground where the bridge crosses the San Rafael River.

Getting There

The trailhead starts near the San Rafael Campground To get to the San Rafael Campground, depends on where you are coming from.

• From the North
• Just before the town of Castle Dale, at milepost 39.4, go east on the signed San Rafael Swell Access road. Reset your odometer as you turn off the highway onto the dirt road. ( 12S 500218mE 4341289mN / N39° 13' 15" W110° 59' 51")
• Continue on this road, passing a cattle guard after 12 miles, and reaching a 4 way junction at 12.7 miles. ( 12S 518059mE 4336281mN / N39° 10' 32" W110° 47' 27")
• Continue east at this 4 way junction for 2.4 miles to the signed Buckhorn Wash road. Go right, down the Buckhorn Wash road about 9.5 miles to the cattle guard and San Rafael Campground. ( 12S 521483mE 4335782mN / N39° 10' 16" W110° 45' 05")
• From the South
• Take the exit, turning right. This road goes east, paralleling the freeway for a couple of miles before turning north. ( 12S 529541mE 4303709mN / N38° 52' 54" W110° 39' 34")
• Follow this road 19 miles to where the San Rafael campground is, and the bridge over the river. ( 12S 529065mE 4326048mN / N39° 04' 59" W110° 39' 50")
• From The San Rafael Bridge/Campground
• San Rafael Bridge - Reset odometer and head south. ( 12S 528862mE 4325810mN / N39° 04' 51" W110° 39' 59")
• 0.4 miles - Exit trailhead on the right. Follow the road to its end in 0.75 miles and leave the exit vehicle there. ( 12S 528350mE 4325418mN / N39° 04' 39" W110° 40' 20")
• 3.8 miles from the San Rafael Bridge, turn Right on a less used dirt road and reset your odometer. ( 12S 526755mE 4320489mN / N39° 01' 59" W110° 41' 27")
• 0.12 miles - stay left. ( 12S 526615mE 4320635mN / N39° 02' 04" W110° 41' 33")
• 0.65 - Road Crosses a wash. ( 12S 525987mE 4320296mN / N39° 01' 53" W110° 41' 59")
• 0.8 miles - Road enters and stays in wash bottom. ( 12S 525772mE 4320183mN / N39° 01' 49" W110° 42' 08")
• 1.9 miles - Junction. Stay left. (Right goes up to an old mining area) ( 12S 524258mE 4319643mN / N39° 01' 32" W110° 43' 11")
• 2.8 miles - Road enters wash again. This is Cane Wash. You can start from here, or continue driving down Cane Wash a short distance. ( 12S 523538mE 4320633mN / N39° 02' 04" W110° 43' 41")

Route

To The San Rafael River (6.5 miles / 3 hours)
From the trailhead, simply head down Cane Wash. It is wide and sandy, but soon begins to narrow and a seep generally keeps the canyon floor damp. In wetter times, this can actually have a very small flow.

The canyon winds and deepens. It is about 6.5 miles to the San Rafael River with no obstacles along the way. As the San Rafael River comes into view, keep an eye out on the right for an excellent rock art panel. In addition, keep an eye out on the left for a small window (arch) in the cliff up high.

To The Exit Trailhead (3.4 miles / 1-2 hours)
Follow the well worn San Rafael River trail right (downstream) to the exit trailhead in about 3.4 miles.