AtlasCedar Mesa

Citadel Ruins

verified ACA 2A Unknown flood risk Blanding, UT

A masonry ruin on an isolated point above Road Canyon, reached by walking out a narrow neck of rock with a drop on either side. The defensive siting is the whole story of the place.

Under four miles round trip and about two hours, so it pairs well with the other Road Canyon stops in a single morning. Go early: Road Trip Ryan has visited in mid day and evening and found the light disappointing both times, with morning the best for photographs. Climb-Utah advises a high clearance vehicle for the trailhead, and navigation is the crux, not the hiking, because the area is a tangle of roads and social trails. Cryptobiotic crust is thick along parts of the route, so stay on the beaten trail, in wash bottoms, or on slickrock. Day hiking here needs the Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge day use pass.

Logistics

ManagerBLM Monticello Field Office
Technicallongest 0 ft
SeasonAny;HOT in Summer
Coordinates37.3914, -109.8361

Sources