False Kiva Trail

False Kiva Trail is an unmaintained out-and-back of about 1.9 miles round trip from the Alcove Spring pullout, including the short road-side approach to its unmarked start. The route descends through desert brush and a sandy wash toward the False Kiva area above Holeman Canyon. It is short on mileage but serious underfoot: expect steep, loose scrambling and turns that are hard to read. Current official access to the approach is unclear; check with the park before setting out and follow every closure sign.

From the pullout, walk along Upheaval Dome Road to the sandy path across the road; do not park at the informal start. Cairns guide you through brush and down to a wash. Watch for the point where the route climbs out on the left. Near Holeman Canyon it turns right through a rockslide between steep canyon walls. The turn is easy to miss, and the loose rock is especially awkward on the descent. A map or GPS track helps, but keep checking the ground and cairns rather than trusting a phone line alone.

The last stretch climbs back toward the alcove area. Reports describe a rope boundary at the site, and the alcove itself is reported closed to entry. The current official boundary for the approach could not be confirmed, so stop at any posted closure or barrier and do not enter, touch or climb on the archaeological structure. From outside the restricted area, the route is known for views into Holeman Canyon and the Upper West Basin; Candlestick Tower stands out across the basin. The site's origin is unknown, and claims about who built it remain speculation.

Allow roughly 1½ to 2 hours, with extra time for careful route-finding. The return reverses the same steep, rocky line; the rockslide is reported harder to descend than climb. Water is scarce in this backcountry and there are no facilities reported at the access, so bring what you need and avoid peak summer heat. Canyonlands does not allow pets on hiking trails. For a photo of the broad basin, include Candlestick Tower between the canyon walls rather than framing only the foreground rocks.