The Temple of the Moon & Temple of the Sun, Utah
Total Distance: 0.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 0 feet
Trail Type: Out-and-Back
Difficulty: Easy
The Hike: Describing this adventure as a hike is being generous – at the end of the day it’s more of a “road side attraction” that can require as much or as little walking as you’d like. The plot twist here though is that to get to The Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon, you have to travel down a barren and exceptionally remote dirt road for about 30 miles – and there’s a good chance there won’t be a soul in sight.
Capitol Reef National Park is already remote, but the Cathedral Valley 60-mile loop can take visitors to some of the emptiest parts of the country. Even when the above photos were taken on Labor Day Weekend of 2019, we saw maybe 4 other vehicles during the 24 hours we spent in the backcountry. The lack of people paired with a stark desert landscape makes the area deafeningly quiet and, after sunset, exceptionally dark.
This backcountry setting is truly unique in that you can clearly see the Milky Way with your naked eye. No need for special telescopes or high end photography equipment. After dark, all you need is a blanket to lay on as you stare up at an unobstructed night sky. As spectacular as this raw night sky is though, sunrise is when the show really begins.
As the sun starts the crest the horizon each morning, it paints both temples and deep shade of orange making sunrise the premier time to view these formations. It’s a truly incredible scene and, paired with the silence and solitude of the surrounding desert, makes for an awe-inspiring morning in this remote part of Utah.
Before you continue your drive down Cathedral Valley Road, be sure to follow the signs for Glass Mountain, which is immediately to the Northeast of The Temples. You will have the chance to climb this small “mountain” made of sparkling rocks, and have a unique vantage point to view The Temple of the Sun.
The Details: Getting to this location requires following a system of remote and unmaintained dirt roads. A high clearance vehicle is recommended. Bring plenty of water and supplies as there are no water or food sources in the backcountry. Be prepared in case of car malfunctions as phone service is limited and help can sometimes be hours or days away.
There are multiple ways for travelers to begin their trek towards this unique place:
Starting from the South: It is recommended to get off the pavement at UT-24, and follow Caneville Wash Road until you meet Cathedral Road. Follow this dirt road for 16 miles until you see signs for the The Temple of the Sun and Temple of the Moon. From there, you will turn onto Temple of the Moon Road for a short distance until you see the formations. After you’re done exploring The Temples, keep following Cathedral Valley Road until you reach Cathedral Valley itself. From there, you will return to the pavement on UT-72.
Starting from the North: Starting at UT-72, follow the dirt road named FRO206 until you intersect FRO022. From there, follow signs for Cathedral Valley and Cathedral Valley Road. You will first be greeted to views of Cathedral Valley, and a chance to explore the area. After spending some time taking in the views, continue down Cathedral Valley Road, following signs for The Temples. After reaching The Temples and spending some time in the area, you can either continue down the road until you are dumped out at UT-24, or backtrack the way you came towards UT-72.
Gear: For this hike, we recommend bringing along either the Winter or Summer Day Hike Essentials, depending on the season.
*The information in this article is for planning purposes only. Actual trail conditions may vary depending on environmental factors. It is always advised to get the latest trail information from a park office or ranger before you begin your hike.