Junction Butte

Junction Butte is a rocky summit in the Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands and rises steeply from the surroundings with walls of Wingate Sandstone. The formation displays typical erosion patterns and forms a distinctive landmark in the plateau landscape.

The sandstone layers formed during the Late Triassic from wind-driven sand dunes deposited about 200 million years ago. Rivers later carved into these layers and created the cliffs and canyons visible today.

The land around Junction Butte shows traces of Puebloan peoples who lived here long before the park was established. These settlements are visible through scattered pottery and tool remains found across the landscape.

Access is via the White Rim Road, which requires a four-wheel drive vehicle and prior authorization. The road is unpaved and can be difficult to drive depending on weather, so check conditions before heading out.

This rocky summit sits precisely where two major river systems converge and flow in opposite directions. From the top, you can observe how the waterways spread through the plateau in different directions.

Location: San Juan County

Elevation above the sea: 1,952 m

GPS coordinates: 38.28654,-109.87306

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07