If you go

The best seasons to visit Horseshoe Canyon are spring and fall.

To get there from Salt Lake City, take Hwy. 24 south from Interstate 70 about 15 miles west of Green River, Utah. Turn east immediately after a road leads west to Goblin Valley State Park. Drive 32 winding miles on a dirt road. Check the condition of that road ahead of your trip with the rangers at Hans Flat Ranger Station (1-435-259-2652).

The road ends at a Bureau of Land Management primitive campground with a pit toilet. There is no water or other service.

A round-trip hike from the campground to the Great Gallery is 6.5 miles and takes five to six hours, depending on how long you linger at the rock art. The trail loses about 800 feet in elevation getting to the canyon floor, making the return an uphill challenge. Bring water, and plenty of it.

As the park service will sternly remind you, don't touch or do anything else to deface the art.Dave Peters