Endless Wall Trail

The view from Diamond Point Overlook and the elevation change along the trail.

NPS/J. Chapman

Quick Facts

Amenities

3 listed

Parking - Auto, Toilet - Vault/Composting, Trailhead

Labeled (3) on the Fayetteville - Lansing Area Trails map

Length

2.4 miles/3.86 km (One-way)

Difficulty

Easy to Moderate

Trail type

Hiking only

Total Elevation Gain

427 ft

Total Elevation Loss

545 ft

Average Slope

7.9%

Trail Description

The Endless Wall Trail is a 2.4 mile moderate walk that passes through rich forest, crosses Fern Creek, then zig-zags along the cliff edge. Many vistas can be seen along the trail. The overlook at Diamond Point provides a good turnaround spot, creating a popular two-mile out-and-back hike from Fern Creek Trailhead parking area. If you continue to the end of the trail, you will need to walk for 0.5 miles back along the road to get to the starting point.

Great views of the New River, almost 1000 feet below, are abundant. You can often hear the voices of whitewater rafters as they experience the wild rapids of the lower New. This area also offers significant historical resources, being the site of the Nuttallburg Mine — the largest mine in the New River Coalfields in the late 1800s.

You might also get a glimpse of some of the thousands of rock climbers who visit the park to challenge themselves on the vertical sandstone walls that rim the gorge. Climbers come from all over the United States, and around the world, to select from the over 1600 climbing routes in the park.

Please use caution when near cliff edges!

Note

The parking area at Fern Creek Trailhead is small and frequently fills up. If it is full, DO NOT park on the road. Cars may get towed that are parked on Lansing Edmond Road. You might consider parking 1/2 mile further up the road at the Nuttall Trailhead at the opposite end of the Endless Wall Trail. 

To reach the trailheads

Turn off Route 19 on Lansing-Edmond Road, located just north of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. Fern Creek Trailhead is located 1.3 miles (just before Fern Creek) down this road, while the Nuttall Trailhead is 1.8 miles from U.S. Route 19. This is a narrow road; please drive with caution.