Wildcat Canyon Trail

Wildcat Canyon Trail is an 11.6-mile out-and-back from Wildcat Canyon Trailhead to the West Rim Trail connection and back. The named corridor is about 5.8 miles one way. Allow around six hours for the full hike. Its appeal is the variety: open meadow and ponderosa forest, then the broad sandstone walls of Wildcat Canyon. The length, elevation and same-way return are the commitment; this is a full-day walk rather than a quick viewpoint.

The route begins across an open meadow, then enters spaced ponderosa pines. The Connector Trail branches off about 1.2 miles in, and the Northgate Peaks junction follows shortly after. Stay on Wildcat Canyon Trail for this route; Northgate Peaks is a separate 4.2-mile round trip from the same trailhead. Beyond the junction, the forest opens toward sandstone cliffs and the high meadow before the descent.

The canyon comes into view in stages. The trail descends along its rim, with openings toward the White Cliffs; near the bottom it crosses the canyon and climbs slightly to meet the West Rim Trail. There is no summit or single turnaround overlook: the change from open high country to the canyon edge is the payoff. On the descent, pause at one of the rim openings and keep the slickrock in the foreground to show the scale of the cliffs. Wildcat Spring is beside this descent and usually has a small flow; treat it and do not rely on it for your drinking supply.

Start at Wildcat Canyon Trailhead on Kolob Terrace Road. There is a pit toilet but no water filling station. Pets are not permitted on these trails, and wilderness groups are limited to 12 people who share an affiliation. Snow can remain into late spring, and Kolob Terrace Road often closes from fall into spring, so check access before driving out. This route turns around at the West Rim connection and retraces the same trail; overnight trips require a wilderness permit.