BLM Land · No fee · No reservation
Professor Creek & Mary Jane Canyon
You walk up the creek itself for most of this hike — dozens of crossings, ankle-deep water, canyon walls closing in until a 30-foot waterfall stops you. It is the closest thing Moab has to the Zion Narrows, and one of the few trails here that gets better as the temperature climbs.
Distance and conditions verified July 2026
Flash flood risk. Mary Jane Canyon drains a large area and narrows significantly. Do not enter if rain is forecast anywhere upstream, even under blue sky above you. Check the NWS Grand Junction forecast the morning you go.
Why this hike is different
Almost every famous Moab trail crosses open slickrock with no shade and no water. This one does the opposite. After a half-mile approach across desert flat, you drop into Professor Creek and the creek becomes the trail — you cross it, wade it, and walk directly up it for the next three miles while the canyon walls rise around you.
That makes it the rare Moab hike that is genuinely more pleasant in July than in April. It also makes it the wrong hike for anyone hoping to keep their feet dry. There is no version of this trail where that happens.
The honest distance: published figures range from 7.6 to 8.2 miles depending on where the GPS track starts and how far up you push before turning around. We list 7.8 miles as the realistic round trip to the waterfall and back. Some guide services advertise 9 miles, which is generous.
Getting to the trailhead
From Moab, take US-191 north about 2 miles to the UT-128 junction, then follow UT-128 east along the Colorado River for roughly 18.5 miles. Turn right onto Professor Valley Ranch Road (also signed Ranch Road) and follow the dirt road about 2 miles to the parking area at the end.
- Drive time: about 40 minutes from downtown Moab
- Road: UT-128 is paved and scenic; the final 2 miles are graded dirt, fine for passenger cars in dry conditions
- Parking: roughly 28 spaces. Roadside parking is prohibited — if the lot is full, pick another trail
- Facilities: none. No toilets, no water, no trash. Nearest services are in Moab
At the trailhead: two trails leave the parking area. Take the unsigned path to the left. The signed trail is the Sylvester Trail, which goes somewhere else entirely — this is the single most common wrong turn here.
The drive itself is worth building time for. UT-128 passes Fisher Towers and the Castle Valley overlook, two of the most photographed viewpoints in the region.
The hike, mile by mile
0 – 0.5 mi
The exposed approach
Open desert flat with no shade at all. Ten to fifteen minutes of walking, and the hottest part of the day if you start late. This short stretch is why "the water keeps it cool" needs an asterisk in summer.
0.5 – 2 mi
First crossings
You reach the creek and the crossings begin — dozens of them, sometimes on rocks, more often straight through. Stop trying to stay dry around crossing number four. Cottonwoods and willows provide intermittent shade and the walls start to build.
2 – 3.5 mi
The canyon narrows
The best section. Walls rise several hundred feet and close in, the air cools noticeably, and you are walking in the creek more than beside it. Water is usually ankle to knee deep. Watch for algae-slick rocks underfoot.
3.5 – 3.9 mi
The waterfall
You hear it before you see it. A roughly 30-foot fall drops around a chokestone into a shaded pool, and this is the turnaround — continuing requires technical scrambling. Cool air, deep shade, and the natural lunch stop before you retrace the whole thing.
When to hike it
| Season | Conditions | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Mar – May | Snowmelt runoff. Crossings can reach thigh-deep and run fast in early spring. | Good, with caution |
| Jun – Aug | Water and canyon shade keep it far cooler than exposed trails. The approach is still fully exposed. | One of the best summer hikes near Moab |
| Sep – Nov | Lower water, mild temperatures, cottonwoods turning gold in late October. | Best overall |
| Dec – Feb | Ice on rocks, frigid water, short daylight. Wading in near-freezing water is a real hypothermia risk. | Not recommended |
For a summer attempt, be walking by 7:00 AM. The approach and the return leg both cross open ground, and the return happens at the hottest part of the day.
What to bring
- Shoes that drain. Trail runners you don't mind soaking, or strapped sandals like Chacos or Tevas. Flip-flops and unstrapped sandals are genuinely dangerous on slick rock.
- Trekking poles. More useful here than on almost any other Moab trail — the creek bed is uneven and the rocks are slippery.
- 2–3 litres of water per person. Creek water is not drinkable without treatment.
- Sun protection. Hat, sunscreen, sunglasses for the exposed sections.
- Dry bag or ziplock for your phone. People drop them in the creek here constantly.
- A towel if you bring a dog. Your car will thank you.
Free printable field guide
Take this trail guide with you
Two pages, built to print and fold into a pocket. Quick facts, turn-by-turn trailhead directions with GPS, the mile-by-mile route, a tick-box pack list, and the turnaround rule — all readable with no cell service, which you will not have in the canyon.
- Trailhead GPS and the unsigned left-hand turn most people miss
- Mile-by-mile route with the waterfall turnaround
- Pack list you can tick off the night before
- Flash flood and seasonal guidance
Safety
Flash floods are the serious risk. The canyon narrows and drains a large upstream area, so rain miles away can fill it under clear sky above you. If there is any rain in the forecast, choose something else.
Poison ivy grows thick along the creek banks in places. Learn to recognise it or stay in the water channel.
Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent in the canyon. Download offline maps before leaving Moab and tell someone your plan.
Footing causes most injuries here — wet rock with algae is slicker than it looks, and a twisted ankle four miles up a canyon becomes a long afternoon.
Common questions
How long is the Professor Creek trail?
About 7.8 miles round trip with roughly 500 feet of gain. Published figures vary from 7.6 to 8.2 miles depending on the GPS track and turnaround point. Most people take 4 to 5 hours including time at the waterfall.
Do you really get wet?
Yes. The creek is the trail for much of the route and there are dozens of crossings. Water is usually ankle deep, occasionally knee deep, and thigh deep during spring runoff. Wear shoes that drain and accept it early.
Is it good for kids?
Older kids who enjoy water will love it — the wading is the whole appeal. But 7.8 miles is a long day for small children and there is no shortcut back. For younger kids, Mill Creek offers a similar creek-and-waterfall experience at about 3 miles.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. This is BLM land, not a national park, so dogs are allowed. A leash is advised because the trail is popular and many dogs run loose. Watch for poison ivy along the banks, and bring a towel.
Is there a fee or permit?
No fee, no permit, no timed entry reservation. Parking is free but limited to about 28 spaces, and roadside parking is prohibited.
Can you swim at the waterfall?
You can wade into the pool, but it is shallow and cold. Most people cool off briefly rather than swimming properly.
Nearby hikes
Fisher Towers
The 900-foot Titan and its neighbours, 20 minutes further along UT-128. Pairs naturally into a two-hike day.
4.5 mi · Hard
Mill Creek
The short version of this hike — creek walk to a waterfall and swimming hole, minutes from downtown Moab.
3.0 mi · Easy
Corona Arch
A 140-foot span with no fee and no reservation. The other great BLM hike near town.
3.0 mi · Moderate
La Sal Mountains
If Professor Creek is still too hot, the alpine lakes at 8,800 feet run about 30°F cooler than town.
3 trails