Pros & cons
PROS
- Striking 200-foot-deep gypsum sinkhole with minimal walking
- Remote Cathedral Valley solitude and big-sky views
CONS
- Requires high-clearance 4WD; roads can be impassable when wet
- Unstable rim with real collapse hazard; not a place for kids to roam
Small pullout at the end of Gypsum Sinkhole Spur Road; no facilities and no shade. High-clearance 4WD required to reach it.
Stay well back from the unstable rim; collapse is possible. Remote access on clay roads becomes impassable when wet. No services—carry water, food, and emergency supplies.
Overview
This is the definition of big payoff for little effort: about 0.1 mile total (out and back) to a dramatic gypsum sinkhole in Capitol Reef’s remote Cathedral Valley. The walk itself is easy with minimal elevation change, but getting here is the adventure—expect rough roads and true backcountry isolation.
What You’ll See
The star is a nearly circular collapse pit roughly 50 feet across and about 200 feet deep. It’s a stark, sheer‑walled cavity set amid open high desert vistas—surreal, photogenic, and a little unnerving. Geology fans, this is your candy store: groundwater dissolved a buried gypsum plug from the Middle Jurassic Carmel Formation (~165 million years old), leaving a void that collapsed. It’s essentially the inverse process of nearby Glass Mountain, where gypsum grew upward; here, it was removed. The sinkhole itself is geologically young, forming within the last few million years.
Access and Parking
Trailhead access is via the Gypsum Sinkhole Spur Road in Cathedral Valley. You’ll park at the end of the spur and walk a short path to the rim. There are no facilities—no water, restrooms, or shade—so arrive self‑sufficient. High‑clearance, 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended, and after rain the clay roads can become impassable.
Safety First
This is one of those “looks harmless until it isn’t” places. The rim is soft and unstable; stay well back from the edge and keep your group tight. Collapse is a real hazard. Drones are not allowed in national parks, and this is not the place to test your balance for a photo.
Best Time to Hike
Spring and fall are the sweet spots—milder temps and typically better road conditions. Summer heat can be brutal with no shade, and winter or wet periods can shut the roads down completely. Even a quick storm can turn Cathedral Valley’s clay into a no‑go—always check weather and road status before committing.
Tips
- Photography: It’s tough to capture the depth. A wide‑angle for context and a zoom for texture helps—but safety beats any shot.
- Pair it with Glass Mountain for a quick, fascinating geology two‑fer in Cathedral Valley.
- Bring extra water and emergency supplies; you’re a long way from services.
Elevation
0.1 mi · 30 minWhere it starts
38.4984, -111.3193Near Gypsum Sinkhole Trail
All places →All trails →
0 mi awayGypsum SinkholeRemote 200-foot-deep gypsum collapse in Cathedral ValleyTrailhead · Parking
2.5 mi awayUpper South Desert Overlook TrailQuick walk to sweeping Cathedral Valley views with big solitudeEasy · 0.5 mi · 15 min
2.6 mi awayUpper Cathedral Valley OverlookBig, lonely views over cathedral-like monoliths of the valleyPullout · Parking
2.6 mi awayUpper Cathedral Valley Overlook TrailTiny walk to a grand, quiet panorama of Cathedral Valley’s monolithsEasy · 0.2 mi · 6 min
2.6 mi awayUpper South Desert OverlookQuick walk to sweeping South Desert and Waterpocket Fold viewsTrailhead · Pullout
2.7 mi awayLesley Morrell Line CabinRemote cowboy line cabin with big Cathedral Valley solitudeExhibit
12.6 mi awaySulphur Creek RoutePlayful creek walk with waterfalls, narrows, and easy shuttle logisticsModerate · 5.8 mi · 4 hr
12.6 mi awayUpper Spring Canyon TrailRemote Wingate canyon epic with solitude, slots, and route findingChallenging · 18.7 mi · 10 hr
