Guide to Hiking Mary Jane Canyon in Moab
If you’re searching for a refreshing, soul-soothing adventure in Moab, Utah, look no further than Mary Jane Canyon. Tucked into the scenic Professor Valley and just a short drive from downtown Moab, this peaceful canyon creek offers something rare: a hike where you can walk through water beneath soaring red rock walls, surrounded by silence, desert greenery, and the sense that you’ve discovered a hidden gem. It’s serene, tranquil, and restorative – everything a desert hike should be.
Mary Jane Canyon follows a flowing creek for nearly the entire way, offering a cooling escape and true immersion in nature. It’s also one of the few slot canyon hikes in Moab, making it an extraordinary adventure for travelers seeking something beyond Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Here, instead of crowded overlooks and busy trails, you’ll find stillness, connection, and the flow of water gently guiding you through the canyon.
About Mary Jane Canyon
Mary Jane Canyon is located northeast of Moab near Professor Valley, an area shaped by sweeping desert panoramas, seasonal flora, and towering buttes and mesas. You may also hear this trail called Professor Creek Trail, Mary Jane Trail, or Mary Jane Slot Canyon – but they all refer to the same unforgettable place that is Mary Jane Canyon.
From the first steps, the trail follows the creek. As you continue, the canyon walls rise higher until they soar above you. The temperature cools, there’s shade, and you can hear the hush of canyon wind, water, and the soft crunch (or splash) beneath your feet.
There’s a stunning 30-foot double waterfall at the turnaround point. Many hikers pause here to savor the cool air, sunlit canyon walls, and mist drifting across the canyon floor. It’s a place that invites you to linger and enjoy a picnic with a view before following the creek back to where you started.
The creek at Mary Jane Canyon flows year-round, so it’s an excellent option for warm desert days. It’s dog-friendly, enjoyable for families (though longer in duration), and comparable to Zion’s Narrows, but without the permits, deep-water crossings, or heavy crowds.
Whether you’re exploring Utah’s Mighty 5 or discovering hidden gems like Mary Jane Canyon, Moab is a place that invites presence. And experiences like this remind you how powerful and healing time in nature can be.
Hiking Mary Jane Canyon
Distance: 8.5 miles round trip (out-and-back)
Difficulty: Moderate
Average Time: 4-6 hours
Elevation Gain: 540 feet
Permits/Fees: None
Your journey into Mary Jane Canyon begins in the wide-open desert, where morning light warms the surrounding cliffs and sun-baked earth. This segment of the hike is exposed, so early starts are best. Soon, the trail transitions into frequent creek crossings with some rock-hopping and stretches where walking in the creek becomes the most enjoyable option. There’s a playfulness in letting your feet splash and feeling the refreshing coolness under the warmth of the desert sun.
Midway through the hike, the canyon narrows, shade increases, temperatures cool, and the experience feels deeply immersive. Towering canyon walls glow in reds and oranges, and twisted desert trees hang from above. Along the way, you may discover side slot canyons that invite quiet exploration and make for a fun detour.
The highlight, of course, is the waterfall waiting near the turnaround point. After roughly 4 miles, Mary Jane Canyon rewards you with a 30-foot double cascade framed by red rock with a pool below. It’s the perfect setting to sit and breathe or accept a rare invitation to take a dip in this desert oasis.
Getting to Mary Jane Canyon
Reaching Mary Jane Canyon is part of the experience. From Moab, head northeast on scenic UT-128, one of the most beautiful highways in the American Southwest. The road traces the curves of the Colorado River, passing sandstone monoliths, river bends, and desert vistas.
After about 20 miles, turn right onto BLM Road 98 toward Professor Valley. The turnoff can be easily missed, so watch carefully. Follow the well-graded dirt road approximately 2 miles until you reach the trailhead and parking area. There are no facilities here, so fill water in town, prepare for limited shade, and bring what you need for an enjoyable hike.
Practical Tips for Visiting Mary Jane Canyon
With a bit of preparation, your Mary Jane Canyon adventure will feel memorable and comfortable from start to finish:
- Bring more water than you think and sip it often. Add electrolytes for hydration.
- Wear water-friendly hiking shoes with good traction.
- Hiking poles can be helpful with creek crossings.
- Start early to enjoy cooler temps and softer light.
- Wear sun protection. Think hats, SPF, lightweight sleeves.
- Download offline maps, as there may be little to no cell signal.
- Always check weather conditions to avoid flash-flood risk.
- Remember Leave No Trace principles to preserve this fragile landscape.
Where to Stay in Moab
After a day exploring Mary Jane Canyon, return somewhere that feels as extraordinary as the landscape itself. Surrounded by breathtaking desert scenery and just steps from Looking Glass Arch, ULUM Moab, a MICHELIN Key resort, offers a refined retreat near Moab. Stay in a spacious, safari-inspired Suite Tent with plush bedding, a master en-suite bathroom, private outdoor living space, and a lobby design that blurs the line between indoors and out.
Enjoy elevated dining with locally inspired flavors. Ease into slow mornings with desert-inspired wellness offerings as the sun warms the canyon. And when evening falls, unwind beneath star-filled skies in comfort. Open March through October, ULUM Moab offers a perfect base for exploring Mary Jane Canyon and the many spectacular hikes surrounding Moab. Adventure when you want it. Deep rest when you need it. All with ease, upscale amenities, and thoughtful design.
For more of the best hikes in Moab, explore our guides to Arches, Canyonlands, Castleton Tower, Grandstaff Canyon, and the La Sal Mountains.
