Fable Valley is one of the more scenic places to visit Native American ruins I have been. It is a stunning canyon with amazing ruins that seems seldom visited. The problem? It is a substantial commitment to get out to the trailhead. The area is a maze of roads, and it is a lot of dirt road to traverse. Stay out of this area if the weather forecast is bad, the roads can become muddy very quickly. Due to the high elevation, snow can linger into late spring, and roads can be muddy and impassable by mid-Fall.

Take plenty of fuel, extra water, and extra food. If you have a problem, you are a long way from help! A gazetteer of Utah is recommended to help with finding the trailhead. Road numbers in the description help, but signs are often missing and good maps are very helpful.

Given the remoteness, this is not a good choice for a first desert adventure, but experienced hikers and desert aficionados will love the area. Plan on a few days for the trip, as the camping and other hiking options in the are a excellent, and if your making the long trip out there, you might as well see as much as possible.

The ruins and panels described here are the ones I found on my trip. Keep your eyes open, however, as there are surely more ruins and panels that escaped my eye.

Full Details