The best running trails around Spanish Valley

A technical singletrack running along the cliffs just outside Moab. Expect rocky sections, short climbs, and striking red rock views. Avoid the afternoon heat by going early.

This section of the Hunter Canyon Rim Trail is along the top of the rim of Hunter Canyon with breathtaking views into the canyon, including sights like Hunter Arch, and across the desert. The trail mostly stays away from the cliff edge, but there is still some exposure. The trail is generally marked with cairns, which helps navigation, but it can still be a little hard to follow at points so be sure to have a map handy.

The final two miles of the Hunter Rim Canyon Trail are particularly challenging and require careful navigation; this is where, if headed east to west (i.e. if you are completing the Pritchett Canyon-Hunter Rim Trail Loop clockwise) and descending here off of the rim of the canyon, down into the canyon to Kane Springs Road, sure-footedness and attention is required. This part of the trail involves difficult terrain with extreme exposure and some scrambling segments; As the singletrack segment snakes over slickrock benches and through boulder gardens, it can be tricky to follow. If you are careful and go slowly if descending this section, you will be rewarded with having completed an iconic, old-school Moab trail that is a part of the famous Moab Trail Marathon. If you are nervous about descending this section, then just reverse your plans and climb up it! Even if aiming for the Pritchett Canyon-Hunter Rim Trail Loop, you can do it counter-clockwise and climb up this section and still complete the same miles and almost the exact same amount of elevation. When ascending this section, the scrambling is a little less intense and the navigation is a little easier.

Cliffhandle Arch is an impressive arch located in the main channel of North Fork of Mill Creek Canyon. Unlike in Arches National Park, this arch is relatively unknown and therefore much quieter. There is a solid chance you might be the only person at this arch, an increasingly rare experience in Moab! Keep an eye out for ancient petroglyphs and pictograms; there are many panels from thousands of years ago scattered across the canyon walls and boulders in the North Fork of Mill Creek Canyon. Like any archaeological site, please refrain from touching the rock art to help preserve it for generations to come.

The Otho Natural Bridge is a remote, beautiful site in the upper North Fork of Mill Creek Canyon. Although it is called Otho Natural Bridge, it is not a true natural bridge because there is no water underneath it. You can approach it either by dropping down from Sand Flats Road and following social trails down to the bridge and Mill Creek Canyon, or you can travel all the way up the north fork of Mill Creek Canyon, passing the Mill Creek Waterfall, Cliffhandle Arch, and lots of ancient Native American rock art. Both routes are beautiful, but if you decide to travel up Mill Creek Canyon, be aware that high water levels might make this route impassible, depending on the season and recent rainfall. Always check local conditions and use good judgment when traveling in the desert!

On a hot day, the Mill Creek Waterfall and pool is the place to be for locals and visitors alike. After following narrow trails through a small stand of trees you reach the lower pool where you can cool off and swim in the water. If you are comfortable with heights and a little scrambling, you can climb up to the top of falls to jump off by following the trail up a slick rock slab. This is a great place to go swimming, take some photos, and relax in this desert oasis either as the final destination for your run, or on the way back from exploring further up Mill Creek Canyon.

The Mill Creek Trailhead is located in the south end of Moab on the end of some residential roads (so please be respectful of locals by parking only in the designated public parking lot and being careful not to blocks roads and driveways). While there are multiple side trails off of the parking lot to various swimming holes along Mill Creek, the main trail takes you past an old power plant spillway and to a stream where you get to choose whether to wade in the water or traverse the slopping slickrock next to the water. This is a fun way to begin your run up Mill Creek Canyon!

The Mill Creek Trailhead sits at the southern edge of Moab, accessible via residential roads. It's important to show consideration for local residents by parking exclusively in the designated public parking lot and avoiding blocking roads and driveways. From the parking lot, several side trails lead to different swimming spots along Mill Creek. The primary trail guides you past an abandoned power plant spillway to a stream, offering the choice between wading in the water or navigating the sloping slickrock beside it. Although you can't cycle up the creek, it would a great place to start / end the ride and head up the gorge on foot afterwards for a swim.