Fish Mouth Cave Ruins
verified
Ungraded
Unknown flood risk
Bluff, UT
The alcove is the reason to come, one of the deepest on Comb Ridge, with four separate cliff dwellings spaced along the small canyon that leads up to it.
Short and easy, about 1.7 miles and one to two hours, with a trailhead that is normally fine for any vehicle in good weather and no shuttle needed. Handprints and other rock art appear along the way in; look and photograph but do not touch, since skin oils damage the pigment. As with everything on this bench, the social trails multiply and the correct line is not obvious, so carry directions. Cedar Mesa and Comb Ridge day use pass required, 5 dollars per person per day or 10 dollars per person per week, payable at the trailhead or Kane Gulch Ranger Station.
Logistics
| Manager | BLM Monticello Field Office, Bears Ears National Monument |
|---|---|
| Permit | Within the Shash Jaa/Comb Ridge (Butler Wash) day-use permit area: 5 dollars per person per day, 10 dollars per person per week, or 40 dollars per vehicle per year, self-pay at trailhead or Kane Gulch Ranger Station. |
| Time | 1 hr-2 hr |
| Season | Any; no snow. Can be hot in the summer. |
| Coordinates | 37.4279, -109.6318 |
Sources
- permit: https://www.blm.gov/programs/recreation/permits-and-passes/lotteries-and-permit-systems/utah/cedarmesa
- manager: https://www.blm.gov/office/monticello-field-office
- desc: https://www.roadtripryan.com/go/t/utah/cedar-mesa/fish-mouth-cave-ruins
- notes: https://climb-utah.com/CM/fishmouth.htm
- heroPhoto: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Opening_of_Fish_Mouth_Cave_(35407587085).jpg