Grand Gulch is the most spectacular of the canyons on Cedar Mesa — a sinuous slot that cuts 50 km through the plateau, walled in sandstone and sheltering dozens of cliff dwellings, pictograph panels, and granaries in varying states of preservation. A few of the major sites are accessible on day hikes from the Kane Gulch trailhead; the canyon's full length requires several nights and should be treated as a serious backcountry trip.
The archaeology is the reason to come, but the landscape earns its own attention. The canyon walls are layered in colour — red, orange, cream — and change dramatically in different light. Morning is best for photography; afternoon tends to wash out the colours. Permits are required for overnight trips and should be booked in advance through the BLM's online system, especially in spring and autumn when competition is heavy. The Kane Gulch Ranger Station, at the main trailhead on SR-261, can provide current information on conditions and permit availability.