Granite Tors Trail

The feel

The trail starts along the river on boardwalks through black spruce and bog and crosses Rock Creek. It then climbs through black spruce forest that burned in 2004, drops through 2 saddles and reaches timberline. Rock cairns lead across the face of Munson Ridge to an alpine meadow near the trail shelter.

Past the shelter, wooden tripods mark the way through wet areas to the Plain of Monuments, a broad alpine tundra shelf with granite tors up to 100 feet tall. The views reach the Alaska Range and the Chena River Valley.

What to expect

Route and terrain

Loop, 15 miles, with 2900 to 3300 ft of elevation gain, rated moderate to strenuous. Boardwalk, forest, cairns and wooden tripods lead to the tors. There is an optional 2 mile loop.

Time

A full-day loop, about 8 hours.

Parking

The trailhead is in the Granite Tors Campground Day-Use Area at milepost 39.5 of Chena Hot Springs Road.

Fees and passes

A day use fee is required at the trailhead parking lot. No day use fee is required if a camping fee is paid.

Dogs

Pets must be on leashes at developed facilities such as campgrounds.

Hazards

Portions are steep and rocky and can be treacherous. Weather can hamper visibility and make it hard to find trail markers.

Bathrooms and water

Toilets and water are at the campground. Carry water, since there is little on the ridge.

Mingo says

Hike it clockwise, East Trail first, for the more gradual ascent. Pick a clear day, because poor visibility makes the markers hard to find.

Before you go

• Pack plenty of water for the ridge, where there is little.
• Take the trailhead lot at the campground and have the day use fee ready.
• Count on the shelter cabin about 7 miles in on the East Trail, first come, first served and not reservable.
• Leave the mountain bike and horse at home; neither is allowed on this trail.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.