Headquarters Canyon
not verifiedpermit verified 2026-08-18
Ungraded
Unknown flood risk
A 2.4 mile out and back off the Notom road that gives up a short, deep, sinuous slot without asking for rope or technique. Easy walking the whole way until a moderately hard upclimb near the end.
Trailhead is at mile 34.8 on the Notom Bullfrog Road, fine for 2WD when dry. The route dead ends at a cliff not far past that upclimb, so this is an out and back, not a through trip. RopeWiki flags an April 1 to August 31 closure for sensitive natural resources, but the park's own canyoneering closure list names Burro Wash, Fivemile Wash, Shinob, and Arch Nemesis and does not name Headquarters, so call the visitor center before you commit to the drive in spring. Peak summer here is brutally hot during the day.
Logistics
| Manager | NPS Capitol Reef National Park |
|---|---|
| Permit | Closed seasonally April 1 through August 31 to protect sensitive natural resources. Outside that window, Capitol Reef requires a free day use permit for canyoneering, one per route, obtained in person at the visitor center or by email. This route carries no rappels, so confirm with the visitor center whether it is permitted as a canyoneering route or treated as a hike. The permit is free either way. |
| Technical | longest 0 ft |
| Season | Any;HOT in Summer |
| Coordinates | 37.8331, -110.9817 |