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Park news · Canyonlands

Canyonlands: Search Continues for Missing Hiker at Horseshoe Canyon

The search for a hiker continues at Horseshoe Canyon, where the NPS, the Bureau of Land Management, and Wayne County Search and Rescue are working by air and land.

By Jocelyn Pion, · Updated

Developing story · 1 update since the first story Jump to where it started

Timeline

  1. Latest update

    Search Still Active at Horseshoe Canyon on August 26

    The hiker had reached the trailhead on August 17; it wasn't until August 22, when their group was reported overdue, that rangers were alerted, according to FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul and fox13now.com. The search remains active as of August 26, 2026, drawing in the NPS, the Bureau of Land Management, and Wayne County Search and Rescue, working by air and on the ground. Rough terrain, a route rated difficult, and daytime heat near 100°F are slowing the teams down. Report any tips at 888-653-0009 or go.nps.gov/SubmitATip, per the same source.

    Official source : Search continues for missing 71-year-old hiker in Canyonlands National Park ; National Park Service searches for 71-year-old man missing near Canyonlands National Park

  2. Where it started

    Canyonlands: Horseshoe Canyon Trailhead Closed During a Rescue Operation

    A search and rescue operation has closed the main access to the Horseshoe Canyon trailhead at Canyonlands. Here's what you need to know.

    If you're planning a trip to Canyonlands, there's a practical detail you'll want to factor into your plans right now. The main access to the Horseshoe Canyon trailhead is currently off-limits to visitors. That's because a search and rescue operation is underway in the area, and crews need the zone kept clear.

    For now, don't plan on using the usual Horseshoe Canyon trailhead. This part of the park, known for its rock art panels, stays out of reach until further notice. We'd suggest holding off on this particular leg of your itinerary and keeping some flexibility in your schedule while things get sorted out.

    A metal gate blocks a dirt road amid red-rock canyons, desert shrubs and juniper trees beneath a cloudy sky

    The good news is that the rest of the area isn't blocked. The Hans Flat Ranger Station is still open, as is The Maze district, one of the wildest and most remote corners of Canyonlands. You get there on dirt roads from UT 24 or from the town of Green River, Utah. Bring a capable vehicle and a full tank of gas, because these roads don't forgive improvisation, and the distances between places to fuel up are long.

    Before you head out, take a minute to check the day's access conditions, since this kind of restriction changes fast. An area closed in the morning can reopen once the operation wraps up. To plan the rest of your trip with confidence, lean on the Canyonlands park guide, which breaks down the different districts and how to reach them.

    This stop also fits nicely into our road trip itinerary that runs through this park, as long as you stay tuned to local guidance. In short, set Horseshoe Canyon aside for now, steer your day toward Hans Flat or The Maze if you're equipped for it, and check the access status right before you commit to the roads.