Whether you believe it’s a geologic wonder or shaped by a meteor impact, upheaval dome is an unusual yet captivating and colorful feature worth checking out! Located in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park in Utah, there are two unique overlooks that you can combine to make the upheaval dome hike.
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate due to some steep inclines.
- Skill Level: Beginner to intermediate.
- Elevation Gain: 220 ft.
- Distance: 1.3 miles (out-and-back trail).
- Cost: National Parks fees.
What is Upheaval Dome?
Upheaval dome is a geologic feature that spans 3 miles in width with rocks pushed up in a circular formation in the center. On the perimeter of the dome structure (also called an anticline) is a downward fold in the rock layer (called a syncline). Upheaval dome is so massive that it can be seen from space!
How Upheaval Dome Formed
Canyonlands National Park encompasses layers of sedimentary deposits that showcase periods of the earth from millions of years ago. Most of the rock layers are flat, not circular or dome-shaped. Considering the basics of erosion and how canyons form, it’s clear that upheaval dome doesn’t quite make sense within the geology of this area of Utah.
So since discovering it, scientists, geologists, and theorists have asked “what caused the upheaval dome to form?” On the trail, you’ll see signs explaining the two well known hypotheses on how this place came to be.
Impact Crater Theory
Many believe that it was caused by an impact crater from space crashing into the rocks. Experts believe a meteorite could have been about ⅓ of a mile in diameter and collided with Canyonlands about 60 million years ago. The impact of the crater could have created a big explosion, with rock debris thrusted up to form a dome shape.
If a meteor crashed there, erosion since that time may have washed away any meteorite debris. Millions of years of erosion could have caused further changes to the dome by exposing its rock layers from thousands of feet deeper underground.
In 2007, scientists discovered quartz crystals that were “shocked” or different from normal quartz because its structure was changed by the high pressure of a meteorite impact. Since then, many believe this was a smoking gun and that they’ve solved upheaval dome’s origin story.
Salt Dome Theory
The other theory is that upheaval dome is a deeply eroded salt dome, which occurs when a subsurface layer of salt (remember this area of the country was submerged in the ocean years ago) from water evaporates. Years later, it is eventually squeezed upwards from the weight of the rock layers on top of it. Experts say that millions of years of salt can flow up through rock, almost causing “salt bubbles” by rising to the surface and deforming the rock surrounding the area.
Neither theory has been explicitly proven. Therefore, upheaval dome remains a mystery of nature.
How to Get to the Upheaval Dome Hike and Overlooks
To get there, drive about 40 minutes from Moab, Utah, into the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park. This section of the park is the most accessible and offers tons of scenic viewpoints, such as Shafer Canyon Overlook, for hikers of all experience levels. On Grand View Point Road, past the visitor center, you will turn right onto Upheaval Dome Road.
Go about 5.5 miles to the end of this road when you come to the parking lot loop. There are bathrooms here and map signs posted. Parking is usually manageable, but of course, busier on weekends.
Hike to Upheaval Dome Overlooks
Wearing breathable layers with SPF is key to hiking in Arizona year-round!
Although the mileage isn’t too far, there is no shaded cover and the trail does have some incline right from the start. Take breaks along the way, because making it to the overlooks is well worth it.
First Overlook
To hike to upheaval dome first overlook will take you about 0.6 miles at around a half hour to 45 min hike. It’s about 115 ft in elevation gain just doing the first overlook as the section is steep with sections of rock steps that take you to a fantastic viewpoint.
On your way to the first overlook, you’ll cross over a turnoff for the Syncline Loop Trail. This is a challenging, long hike around the perimeter of upheaval dome where you’ll be fully exposed to the sun the entire time.
Second Overlook
If you’d like to get a higher look at upheaval dome, continue on to the second overlook. To do both overlooks is about a half mile more and adds 114 ft in elevation onto your hike. From the first viewpoint, you’ll follow the cairns as you walk up and down across broad rocks. You’ll walk up stairs etched into the rock to the viewpoint which has metal railings for more safety because of the cliff edge.
The second overlook is a more grand look on top of a higher rock. This was my favorite view of the two because of the height and we were the only ones there at the time.
Hiker FAQs on Upheaval Dome
Some believe that upheaval dome crater is a magnetic vortex that mimics or is connected to Sedona, Arizona through an energetic network. While there is no scientific evidence to prove energy vortexes exist, many believe that certain spots on earth can have powerful, spiritual effects.
Looking out at the colorful rock layers of upheaval dome, you can see Navajo Sandstone at the periphery, along with Cutler Group and Moenkopi formations. The oldest rocks are in the center of the dome.
It depends if you just want to see the first overlook or do both. Hiking to the first overlook will take you about 40 minutes total. Doing both the first and second overlook may take an hour in total. This also may change depending on how long you want to look out and soak in the views and how many breaks you may take along the way.
