Fiddler Cove Canyon

Overview

Fiddler Cove Canyon is a spectacular and isolated canyon system that drains into the Dirty Devil River. The canyon is seldom visited and there are many places to explore. Sections of the canyon are deep and wide and other sections are narrow and sinuous.

There are many huge pinnacles and rock formations in this canyon system and the canyon is scenic and bears striking resemblance to the Maze located in Canyonlands National Park and to the north. Unlike the Maze however, there are no crowds here and no red tape or permits required for hiking and backpacking. Rock Climbers could have a heyday out here but I know of no technical climbs that have been done thus far.

I call this Light Bulb Tower. It is located in Fiddler Cover Canyon. It could make an intresting, but difficult climb.

Getting There

There are several driving routes that can be used to access the Fiddler Canyon system.

Via Poison Springs and the Dirty Devil River

We access the Fiddler Cove Canyon via Hatch Canyon and from Poison Springs Canyon south of Hanksville. From Hanksville, drive south on Highway 95 to very near mile marker 17. Turn left on the Poison Springs Road.

The Poison Springs Road is sometimes rough and sometimes fairly smooth; it depends on how recently it has been bladed. More often than not, it requires 4wd. Drive the sometimes rough road 15 miles to the Dirty Devil River.

Via Hatch Canyon System

You park here, but if you have a really good 4wd, you can get closer to the canyon via Hatch Canyon; at least there is less wading.

With a good 4wd, cross the Dirty Devil River and follow the road on the other side. This rough road will take you around (use a map!) Point 4706 on the topo map. Park just east of the point.

Via Red Benches

This is a good option to access the Fiddler Cove system. From Hanksville, drive south on Highway 95 to between mile markers 46 and 47. Turn left on the “Hite Road”. This road is often 4wd, but can sometimes be driven very carefully in a car with reasonable clearance.

Drive the Hite Road for 2.9 miles. Turn left on a faint 4wd road. Drive the track for 1.4 miles and park next to an old corral.

Big Head not far from the route into Fiddler Cove from the Red Benches.

Routes Overview

There are several possibilities to access the canyon system overland. One option is to follow the Dirty Devil River down canyon to Hatch Canyon. This is an easy hike, but with lots of wading.

You can also access Fiddler Cove via the Hatch Canyon system. Here is the route we took when doing both canyons at the same time. From east of Point 4706, you can scramble down into the canyon system and explore from there. This is a class 3 route and steep. Once in Hatch Canyon, you can follow it down to Fiddler Cove Canyon (and the Dirty Devil River).

Yet another option to access this canyon is from the Red Benches and overland to Fiddler Cove Canyon. This route will take several days, but requires less driving on rough roads and is an excellent option. See the Red Benches Route Page.

Pinnacle in Fiddler Cove Canyon.

Red Tape

None at all. There are no rangers, no people, no permits, no campground and no red tape. Tread lightly.

No red tape; only bighorn sheep.

Camping

You can camp at Poison Springs Canyon or anywhere in Fiddler Cove Canyon that isn't too narrow. In the cool season water is available in a few locations within the canyon. See the route description for details.

Seasons

Any season but summer is reasonable. The Red Ledges Route can be quite muddy in winter and the Dirty Devil River can be tough to cross in winter and spring if using The Point 4706 or Dirty Devil River Route. The Dirty Devil River Route is not recommended in winter.

Flash flood danger in these canyons is not extreme, but use caution between July and October.

Fiddler Cove Canyon on February 18 2007.

Canyon Conditions

Weather Forecast for Hatch or Fiddler Cove Canyons:

CLICK HERE

Weather and climate data for the Hite, elevation 3700 feet: *National Weather Service Data 1900-2008.

Temperatures should be fairly similar in Hatch or Fiddler Cove Canyons.