Golden Throne Trail

Starting from the Capitol Gorge trailhead, Golden Throne wastes no time letting you know it means business. The trail climbs steadily through slickrock and sandy washes, weaving past water pockets and ancient rock formations that look like they belong on another planet. The terrain is raw desert — exposed Navajo sandstone, cairn-marked routes across bare rock, and stretches where the trail narrows to a boot-width ledge above carved canyons. The reward is a front-row seat to the Golden Throne itself, a massive dome of Entrada sandstone that glows amber in afternoon light. Along the way, you'll catch sweeping views down into Capitol Gorge and across the Waterpocket Fold. This trail is built for hikers who want to earn their views and don't mind a little route-finding on slickrock.