Hiking Five Faces Pictograph Panel In Canyonlands National Park

The Five Faces pictograph panel in Davis Canyon is a hidden gem within the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Reaching it requires preparation, a capable vehicle, and a sense of adventure. Here's how to get there from Moab, Utah, along with essential information on fees, permits, and trail conditions. There are numerous other ancient ruins and rock art panels nearby, as well as vehicle camping.

ENTRANCE FEES & PERMITS

There is a $30 fee per private vehicle to enter Canyonlands National Park,
which is good for seven days. An America the Beautiful Pass works.
No additional fees or permits are required to visit here

TRAIL TYPE

System (out-and-back)

DIFFICULTY RATING
Easy

TOTAL DISTANCE
.5 miles to the 5 Faces
4.25 miles round-trip to Log Ruin

TOTAL ELEVATION GAIN/LOSS
About 399 ft (to Log Ruin)

ESTIMATED HIKING TIME
2-3 hours round-trip (to Log Ruin)

BEST TIME TO GO
Spring & Fall are best, but any time of year is good.

FAMILY FRIENDLY

Yes!

PET FRIENDLY
No! DO NOT visit any archaeological sites with your pet!
Pets are not allowed on any trail in Canyonlands National Park.
In many areas of Canyonlands, you can be ticketed
just for having a pet with you in the vehicle.

VEHICLE
High clearance 4-wheel drive. I made it easily in a Toyota 4Runner.
Access roads may be impassable when wet.

CAMPING
The Super Bowl Campground is near the turn on to Davis Canyon Road.
Numerous dispersed campsites are nearby in Bears Ears National Monument.

About the Five Faces

This well-preserved collection of polychrome anthropomorphic figures (shown above) is estimated to be between 700 and 2,000 years old. It’s an extremely rare example of a “pictoglyph” – rock art that was created both by painting and etching.

Depicting five human-like figures, each face is unique, yet they share a common flat-topped head design, atop broad-shouldered torsos adorned with necklaces. The sheltered location of the panel has contributed to its exceptional preservation.

Directly beneath the Five Faces are several metate grooves (shown below). These are shallow depressions worn into larger stones, used to process grains and seeds into flour, or perhaps to make pigments for paint. The presence of these grinding pads indicates a significant amount of activity at the site.

Hiking beyond the Five Faces leads to several arches, as well as a cliff dwelling known as Log Ruin, which has more rock art. No special permit other than the entrance fee into Canyonlands is required to visit Davis Canyon and the Five Faces, but a permit is required to camp inside the park boundary.

🧭 Directions from Moab to Davis Canyon Trailhead

Total Distance: Approximately 65 miles
Estimated Drive Time: 2.5 to 3 hours (depending on road conditions)

Depart Moab: Head south on US-191 for about 40 miles.
Turn onto UT-211: Turn right (west) onto UT-211 and continue for approximately 26.5 miles.
Access Davis Canyon Road: Look for a left-hand turn onto Davis Canyon Road. This is a 9-mile, high-clearance 4WD road that leads to the trailhead. The road follows a wash and can be challenging due to deep sand, steep banks, and potential washouts. Current road conditions can be checked at the Needles Visitor Center.

As you drive down Davis Canyon Road, you will pass a small set of granaries on the right side of the road at GPS 38.07280, -109.68058

You will also be treated to beautiful views of the La Sal Mountains in the distance (shown below).

🥾 Hiking to the Five Faces Pictograph Panel

Trailhead: End of Davis Canyon Road

Start the Hike at GPS 38.06656, -109.68188: From the parking area at the end of Davis Canyon Road, you will immediately enter Canyonlands National Park and start hiking up the canyon.
Locate the Panel at GPS 38.06580, -109.68614: The trail leading to the Five Faces stays in the middle of the wash most of the way. Do not be tempted by social trails that break off to the right too early, since there's nothing to see on those trails, and it will just make the hike longer.

Note: The trail is not well-marked, and navigation can be a little tricky. It's advisable to carry a detailed topographic map or GPS device. You can download the GPS track for this hike by:

1. Click the link below,

2. Select the file type you want.
GPX - for apps and hand-held devices
JSON - preserves the custom icons
KML - works with Google Earth

3. Click the three little dots at the far right for that file.
Then select DOWNLOAD from the dropdown menu.

4. Import this file to your hiking app or GPS enabled device.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IY5bTHZ-5AJlHhu_H2CrQxNXvjp5hksv?usp=sharing

🛠️ Recommended Gear

To enhance your hiking experience and ensure safety, consider the following gear:

Canyonlands National Park Topographic Map: A detailed map showing roads and trails in the area.
Camelbak M.U.L.E. Pro 14 Hydration Pack: A 14-liter pack with a 3-liter reservoir, designed for comfort and ventilation.
Davis Canyon USGS Topographic Map (1966): A historical topographic map suitable for navigation and exploration.

Ensure all gear is suited for desert hiking conditions, including sun protection, navigation tools, and sufficient hydration capacity.

⚠️ Important Considerations

Road Conditions: Check current conditions at the Needles Visitor Center before attempting the drive.
Navigation: The trail to the Five Faces panel is not well-marked. Use a GPS device or detailed topographic map.
Water: Carry ample water; there are no reliable water sources along the trail.
LEAVE NO TRACE: Preserve the integrity of the site by not touching or defacing the pictographs.

FIVE FACES MAP