A quick two-day trip in Page, Arizona brought some of the most gorgeous hiking scenery I’ve ever encountered. Page may be most famous for Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend, but the Hanging Garden Trail is also a point of interest for those looking for a quick day-hike to sneak in. Located just a few miles down from the Dam Overlook, the Hanging Garden Trail picks up off an easy-to-miss dirt road.
This short, 1-mile roundtrip trail is a new addition to the Glen Canyon National Recreation area that takes you across a desert mesa high above the Colorado River. The trail was created by the park service and leads to a rare green oasis beneath the shoulder of a row of buttes. The route is easy to follow with a path marked by rock cairns along the entirety of the route.
Just east of the Glen Canyon Bridge, follow the dirt road that leads to a small parking area. Here you’ll find a brown sign indicating the start of the Hanging Garden Trail. Follow this part of the trail away from the road and into the desert, on what used to be an old jeep trail. When in doubt always follow the narrow path between the rock formations laid across the entirety of the trail.
At about 0.6 miles the trail will bend to the right, taking you up the butte. Here is where you will have the most elevation gain, however the gain is so minimal that even beginner hikers shouldn’t experience any difficulty with the short climb. You’ll begin to see the green vegetation clinging to the walls of the ridgeline. This is the “Hanging Garden” for which the trail is named after. Hanging gardens refer to spring-fed colonies of plants that grow on the vertical wall of a cliff. They grow in cooler conditions in the surrounding desert.
At the hanging garden you can extend your journey and explore the surrounding areas. Retrace your steps and once again follow the rock cairns to return to the trailhead.
Hanging Garden Trail Tips
Tip #1: This trail is mostly unshaded and treeless. Wear proper skin protection and clothing to avoid sunburn.
Tip #2: Park in the Carl Hayden Visitor Center after hiking this trail to see the impressive Glen Canyon Dam.
Tip #3: Make sure to set aside time to check out the even more impressive Horseshoe Bend Trail nearby.
Tip #4: The Park Service offers free ranger guided tours to the Hanging Garden if you’re interested in learning more about the area. Check in at the Carl Hayden Visitor Center for more details on guided tours.
Tip #5: Poison ivy grows in the Hanging Garden. Be careful not to come in contact with it.
Elevation Gain: 43 Feet
Trailhead Directions: The trailhead turn off is located one-quarter mile east of the Glen Canyon Dam Bridge on Highway 89. Parking is approximately 500 yards from the highway in a small dirt lot.
Difficulty: Easy
Total Distance: 1 mile
South Kaibab Trail | Grand Canyon, AZ
