Southern Utah Slot Canyon Hikes
On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you’ll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. These magnificent hikes, located in the Dry Fork area of the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument area, can be done individually, but they make for a killer loop you can tackle in one afternoon of adventure. Once you’re in, all you have to do is walk through a scenic paradise of red and purple rock.
From the trailhead, get into Dry Fork Wash via moderate scrambling down some short cliffs and following cairns as needed. Once you’re off the cliff and into the sand dunes, you’ll hike along the creek wash until you see the mouth of Peek-a-Boo. There are hand and foot cut-outs in the rock to help you get up and into the canyon.
Once you leave Peek-a-Boo, keep hiking (longer than you think you should, most likely) until you come to a juniper tree, then follow the trail and cairns leading to the right and the entrance of Spooky Gulch. Scramble down a mellow rock face to get into the canyon. It soon tightens up, and you’ll be having a good time navigating the confines of this fun canyon. The loop generally takes about 3-4 hours depending on pace and skill level.
What Makes it Great
Many of southern Utah’s hikes are near steep drop-offs. This is in no way a complete list, so please share your favorite places in the comments section. Click the photos or the titles for more information on a specific hike. Best Family Hikes in Southern Utah Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon State Park. Explore the depths of Southern Utah. There is something magical and sobering about exploring slot canyons in Southern Utah.Hiking, swimming and sometimes squeezing through high sandstone walls carved by the elements over thousands of hundreds of thousands of years (you read that right) makes you keenly aware of how powerful the natural world around us is. May 07, 2019 It's said that Southern Utah offers the highest concentration of slot canyons in the world. Well-prepared visitors can hike right into some of them, but the best experience is with a guide. Southern Utah has more tiny, narrow cracks than a shattered iPhone screen. Some are deep, some are wide, some are wet and some are dry, but none of them will shove tiny glass shards in your texting fingers. Slot canyons are nice because you don’t have to make very many decisions in them.
This three-miler will give you stellar views and a new perspective of slot canyons in Southern Utah. Unlike many of the Escalante-area slot canyons, Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch require zero technical gear or know-how—although it requires some navigational and rock-scrambling skill. Peek-A-Boo is a slot and corkscrew, and Spooky Gulch is a narrow slot canyon. It is worth noting, due to the restrictive nature of the some of the spaces in Spooky, this canyon is better suited for smaller body types.
Adding to the cool factor of this destination is that it’s a loop — which is rare for these parts. You could just poke into one of the canyons for an hour to see what it’s all about, but why not do both while you’re there?
Who is Going to Love It
Everyone — except claustrophobes. This loop has scrambling and shuffling to make it like an adult-sized play-place. The natural waves and contours of the sandstone are awe-inspiring and perfect for pictures, while the light stemming and maneuvering are totally fun. The canyon only gets really tight in Spooky Gulch, where large adults who are backpacking will have to remove their backpacks to get through.
Because of some very tame climbing to get into both Peek-a-Boo and Spooky (if entered as a loop after Peek-a-Boo), it’s probably best to leave the dog at home. But if your mutt is a climber, and you are adamant about bringing it along, dogs are allowed here.
Directions, Parking and Regulations
GPS Coordinates for the trailhead:
(37.476782, -111.220040)
From the pull-off at Highway 12, head down Hole-in-the-Rock Road for 26.3 miles to Dry Fork road and the trailhead — set and watch your odometer to be sure. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and lots of water as there are no amenities down this rough dirt road.
This section of Hole-in-the-Rock Road provides easy access for passenger vehicles when dry; when wet, due to the clay consistency of the dirt, it might be impassable for even 4x4 vehicles. To be safe, don’t drive on wet roads in the desert.
The trip is great in the spring or fall, any time of day; the cool canyon makes for a respite from the summer’s heat in the area. Just make sure you always check the weather report, because this is flash-flood country, and June, July, and August carry the greatest risk. Also note that there have been sightings of Great Basin rattlesnakes in the canyons and in the desert in general — be careful.
For current conditions on any of the slot canyons off Hole-in-the-Rock Road, Burr Trail, or other hiking opportunities in, or along the Escalante River and its side canyons, please contact the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center at 435-826-5499.
Spring and fall are the perfect time for hiking and exploring in southern Utah. If you missed our guide for camping, click here for our favorite places to camp in Southern Utah.
We have spent many weekends, hiked hundreds of hours, and explored many of southern Utah’s treasures. These are our favorite family hikes. Please remember to assess your own ability and make safe decisions with your children. Many of southern Utah’s hikes are near steep drop-offs.
This is in no way a complete list, so please share your favorite places in the comments section.
Click the photos or the titles for more information on a specific hike.
Best Family Hikes in Southern Utah
Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon State Park
Who wouldn’t want to put on their head lamp and scramble down into ancient lava tubes?! Snow Canyon has a plethora of shorter hikes but the lava tubes were the highlight for us. This is also a perfect place to explore on a rainy day as you are under ground for much of it!
Explore the Desert Pot Holes at Dead Horse Point State Park
We discovered desert potholes at the Bighorn Overlook, an easy 2-4 mile hike.
Dead Horse Point State Park, is a less visited treasure sandwiched between Canyonland NP and the Arches NP/Moab area. The campground is amazing, offering easy access to trails for hiking and mountain biking that are perfect for families.
Kanarra Creek Slot Canyon near Zion NP
The entrance to the canyon, approximately 1 mile into the hike.
Kanarrra Creek Canyon is located in Kanarraville, roughly 30-40 minutes north of Zion National Park. It is an amazing place to explore with your family. An easy 1 mile hike leads you to where the canyon begins to narrow. A series of “log ladders” help you continue deeper into the canyon and over waterfalls.
Definitely proceed only if everyone in your group is comfortable with these obstacles. We’d suggest this hike during the warmer months, as the water is very cold on the feet. Water shoes/neoprene water socks would be helpful.
Cassidy Arch / Capitol Reef NP
The hike to Cassidy Arch is easy, roughly 1 mile to the arch but the trail climbs steeply along the canyon edge, providing amazing views of the desert floor below. The brave hiker can actually walk out onto the top of the arch, can you see us?!
Bring lots of water and hats – there is very little shade on this hike as well!
Little Wild Horse and Bell Slot Canyon
Chances casino maple ridge the well number. Kai is nothing but smiles on this adventure, overlooking the next section of narrow slot canyon.
If you want to experience a true Utah slot canyon, but also one that is super family friendly, then look no further. Little Wild Horse Canyon is often hiked as an out-and-back, and families turn around when they are tired or reach an impasse.
For those more adventurous, you can connect Little Wild Horse to Bell Canyon making a loop. If you do this, plan for an entire day on the trail, roughly 9-10 miles, (though our GPS freaked out) so we aren’t sure on exact mileage.
Dogs are allowed but not suggested. Kai’s long legs and skinny body helped him in the narrow passages, but he still required assistance on a few of the scrambling sections.
Mesa Arch / Island in the Sky, Canyonlands NP
Island in the Sky is located in the northern part of Canyonlands National Park and Mesa Arch is a don’t miss family hike. Best is visited during sunrise or sunset, the hike is only .5 miles to the arch and has stunning views of the Colorado Plateau.
We easily tacked this hike onto a longer hike on the same day.
Navajo Loop, Bryce Canyon NP
The Navajo Loop is a short but steep 1.3 mile loop in Bryce Canyon National Park. I’d suggest going in a counter clock-wise direction but really either way is fine. Steep switch backs turn into a narrow slot canyon towards the bottom. Then follow the trail through a labyrinth of hoodoos on your way back up to the canyon rim.
Double O Arch / Arches NP
Arches NP is in itself like a super huge playground for families. What I mean is this: almost every hike is short, relatively easy, and packs a ton of punch in the views department. Double O Arch and Black Angel is a longer hike, but we had a blast making a full day of it. Be prepared for a few steep sections and a bit of sand depending on exactly which route you take.
Delicate Arch/ Arches NP
Everyone should hike to Delicate Arch, arguable the most famous arch in Utah, at least once. The only thing that diminishes the view are the crowds, so try to go during the week or at a less busy time of year (early spring or late fall).
The hike to Delicate Arch has a few exposed sections so watch your kids, but over all is an easy 4 mile hike.
Located roughly 10 minutes outside Bryce Canyon’s northern boundary, the Mossy Cave hike was a trip highlight! While the actual caves were underwhelming, the falls are an excellent way to cool off on a hot day! We had a blast on this 1 mile out-and-back outing and spent quite awhile playing in the water.
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Corona Arch near Moab
Corona Arch is arguably one of the most impressive arches in Utah. It is also infamous for the daring souls that are known for making the world’s larges rope swing off the top. (Not suggested) However, the hike into the arch makes it top our list!
Slickrock scrambling, chains and a ladder make this hike super fun! At roughly 3 miles round trip- it is easy for the kiddos. Remember lots of water, hats and sunscreen as there is very little to no shade on this hike.
Hickman Bridge / Capitol Reef NP
Hickman Bridge is an amazing hike for families. A short hike, just under 2 miles round trip, climbs over sandstone, through a wash, and along canyons to a magnificent natural bridge (similar to an arch). The elevation gain is moderate, we climbed a total of 450 ft throughout the hike.
Play on a nature-made playground in Goblin Valley State Park
Goblin Valley, a secluded valley in central Utah, is filled with hundreds of unique sandstone formations known as Hoodoos. These Hoodoos take many forms, most looking like overgrown mushrooms, nobs and spires.
The most unusual aspect of Goblin Valley is the “run anywhere” form of the park… Goblin Valley is a hands on park. A hands, feet, and bodies on sort of place – which also makes it a fantastic place for kids!
Southern Utah Slot Canyon Map
If you visit Goblin Valley, make sure to swing by Little Wild Horse, only a few miles away!
We’d love to hear about your favorite hikes. Please share below!