The trailhead can generally be reached by most vehicles, but there are a few rough spots. The last 1.2 miles requires high clearance, but can be walked if needed.

The dirt road to the trailhead starts off of highway 95 between mile posts 48 and 49, which is 48 miles south of Hanksville. Two side roads go off here, but coalesce just off the highway.

Day 1 - To Dark Canyon (about 4 miles to the canyon, 6 to the optional camp)
From the trailhead, follow the old jeep road as it drops and meanders north then west offering a preview into Dark Canyon from above. After about 30-40 minutes, a marked trail junction is reached. Leave the old jeep road and follow the trail north, and then east to a point overlooking Dark Canyon. As you cross the mesa, there are many social trails. All lead to generally the same place. Stay on the most used ones to minimize impacts.

From the point, the trail descends the obvious large talus slope about a 1000 feet to the canyon floor. Again, there are many cairned use trails, stay on the most used. Once on the canyon floor, it is a short 5-10 minutes down to the confluence of the side canyon and Dark Canyon and stream. This area is becoming overused by campers. Try not to camp directly in the area, there are many good campsites up and down Dark a short distance.

Optional: If planning on day hiking up Dark Canyon on Day 2, it is worthwhile to hike up Dark a couple of miles and setup camp. As you head up Dark, crisscross the stream countless times. Several small narrows sections have trails on either side for easiest passage. The camp marked on the map is a good stopping point. Just above this the narrows require a bit more route finding to get around, and it is easier with lighter day packs.

Day 2 - Day Hike to Youngs (10 miles)
From the upper camp, as you head up canyon, a narrows section requires getting wet, or climbing out on the left or right a bit back from the narrows. This marks the rhythm for the rest of the hike, small, shallow narrows sections that are passable on side trails on the left or right interspersed with open walking sections. Going up, stay on the side trails, because several sections have impassable falls in them. Coming back, it is nice to stay in the water except for the few narrows that have falls.

Youngs in about 5 miles from the upper camp and about 3-4 hours one way. Several seeps emerge on the right wall as you near Youngs. It is difficult to miss Youngs Canyon, there is a 10 m ( 33 ft. ) waterfall near its mouth and the area has a bit of a sulfur smell. Continue up Dark Canyon past Youngs about 2 minutes to find an amazing pool and rock art on the right. This marks a good turn around spot for most. Above the large pool, the canyon begins to change and starts becoming drier.

Day 3 - Day Hike to the River (7 miles from Sundance Trail Junction)
Day 3 you may want to move camp back down canyon to an area closer to where the Sundance Trail comes in, shortening day 3 and 4. From the Sundance Trail down to the Colorado River is about 7 miles round trip. Just down from the Sundance Trail junction, Lean To canyon comes in on the right. There is good camping here, but it is also heavily used.

About 5-10 minutes down from Lean To the first small waterfall is encountered. Pass it on a trail on the left, and then crossing back over to the right (looking down canyon) at cairns before the canyon begins dropping again. There is a little class 4 move here to get on the bench above the narrows, but once out, a good social trail continues down the canyon. Follow the social trail quite some distance to a cairned gulley that re-enters Dark.

Continuing down, another falls is encounter 10-15 minutes down the canyon. A social trail exists on either side avoiding the falls along the rim. The right side seems a better trail. Follow the social trail 5-10 minutes until it descends back to the canyon floor. Where it descends marks the high water mark of Lake Powell and is evidenced by the large sand deposits and dead tamarisk at the high water level.

The canyon changes character here, with high sandy walls and dried mud flats. It is worth the 20-30 minute walk down to the confluence with the Colorado River. The last section can be backed up and require wading or traversing the sand bank on the left to get to the true confluence, a stunning spot. Return the same way.