San Lorenzo Canyon

Breathtaking skies and fascinating geological features are the hallmarks of this trail. A sandstone masterpiece, San Lorenzo Canyon is home to caves, slots, hoodoos, pillars, springs and "slickensides", a geological term for the angular striations in the rock, formed when moving fault blocks ground against each other 7-10 million years ago. A short drive up the San Lorenzo Arroyo brings you into the lower canyon box, with a spring at its end. San Lorenzo, a desert canyon, hosts saltbush, rabbitbrush, yucca, tree cholla and prickly pear cacti as well as desert bighorn sheep, many bird species including roadrunners, and five (yes, five) types of rattlesnake. So, keep your hands and feet out of places you can't see! There are countless opportunities for hiking and primitive camping along this pleasant desert trail. There are also many side canyons, slots, niches and crevices making it a great place to get out and explore.