Resilience in Bloom: A Monument Canyon Wildflower Hike

Please join us for a National Park Service ranger-led morning Resiliency Ranger thru-hike to the base of Independence Monument, where we’ll explore desert resilience, seasonal wildflowers, and the quiet beauty of one of John Otto’s most treasured canyon landscapes. 

NPS will meet at the Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead at 7:30 a.m. and hike approximately 5 miles total, beginning and ending at the Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead. Along the way, we will travel through the lower reaches of Monument Canyon, pause to view and identify wildflowers, and take in the towering sandstone walls, desert life, and the iconic view beneath Independence Monument. 

Grab a buddy, pack your lunch, bring plenty of water, and come prepared for a meaningful morning on the trail. This hike is a great way to welcome the season, reconnect with the landscape, and experience how resilience shows up in the desert—one step, one bloom, and one canyon view at a time. 

If you have any questions, please contact NPS at the Visitor Center.

Details:

Where: Lower Monument Canyon Trailhead 

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time: 7:30 a.m. 

Distance: Approximately 5 miles 

Bring: Lunch, plenty of water, sun protection, sturdy shoes, and a trail buddy.