Aztec Butte sits within the confines of "Island in the Sky", Canyonlands National Park. To be quite honest, there isn't much that sets this particular butte apart from the others in the park. Save for the fact that it does offer some good views of Taylor Canyon directly North and three granaries exist at the top that were used by the long-departed Puebloian Indians who once inhabited the area hundreds of years ago. There is also a smaller butte adjacent to Aztec Butte (unnamed) that also contains one granary. These man-made features alone are actually quite worth this little side-trip.

Getting There

Once past the entrance station to Canyonlands, "Island in the sky" district, travel 7 miles (south) on the main throughfare past the visitor center. At ~7 miles, a junction for Upheaval Dome/Green River Overlook will appear. Take this right-hand turn and proceed for an additional .9 mile and turn right into the small signed parking area.
You will need to pass the spur to the Green River Overlook and Willow Flat Campground (located on the left).
The visitor center is 1.1 miles from the entrance station.

MAPS: Trails Illustrated, Island in the Sky (Canyonlands)
USGS, Musselman Arch and Upheaval Dome

Route Description

This is a very basic and straight-forward trail. The first half-mile or so is nothing more than a sandy walk around the base of the smaller unnamed butte. Once on the other side of this smaller butte, the summit of Aztec Butte is immediately in front of you and only .25 mile and 200 verticle feet away. There is a path marked out to prohibit erosion.
You could probably "spider-walk" just below and around the top lip of the butte to get different vantages but be aware the butte retains a fine coating of sand. So if you slip, there isn't much to grab onto. I wouldn't recommend this unless there were holds present. The north side gets quite steep actually.
To gain the top of the smaller unnamed butte, it is also only a .25 mile spur to its' top.
Expect roundtrip hiking time to set you back only 90 minutes or so.

Parking area: 6082ft.
Aztec Butte: 6291ft.

Essential Gear

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External Links

This is a short video pan from atop the butte. Enjoy!
Aztec Butte

Also, here is the link for the National Park System. Further information on all of the American National Parks.
National Parks

Images