Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley
- Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley Of Fire
- Slot Canyon Monument Valley
- Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley
- Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley Fair
The Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument's slot canyon trail in New Mexico is unique as it was carved into tuff (volcanic ash). In California, several slot canyons are located within Death Valley National Park. This trail is a slot canyon on the western side of the Rio Grande in the Robledo Mountain Wilderness Study Area. Follow the wash up to the slot canyon. Please note: This hike REQUIRES a crossing of the Rio Grande on foot. Only cross in the late fall or winter after the Rio Grande flow is mostly shut off for the growing season. You cannot access this trail without crossing the river. Within Death Valley, the best region for slot canyons seems to be Tucki Mountain, south of Stovepipe Wells village. Here are found Grotto Canyon, Mosaic Canyon, Stretched Pebble Canyon and Little Bridge Canyon, all quite close to CA 190, though others to the south and east are much further away from the highway. These canyons typically have.
One of our favorite adventures of all time. This one is quite out of the way, but the effort is rewarded with the COOLEST hike in one of the more remote areas of the country.
The incredible Antelope Canyon, a slot canyon near Page, Arizona, has a truly otherworldly appearance. Its twisting arches, created by intense water erosion, pose a unique challenge for photographers. The canyon itself is located on a Navajo Tribal Park, and tours have been available since 1997. Slot Canyon is a 7.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Mecca, California that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from October until May.
TAKING A DETOUR
After we left Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas, we drove for a full day in order to get to Escalante. Since we only had a few days to explore, we wanted to be sure we had plenty of time in Escalante. We ended up driving through Zion National Park and past Bryce Canyon National Park, but not stopping in either place. Don’t worry, we’ve been to both places before and will go again! This time it was about getting to Escalante and having our next adventure.
GETTING THERE:
HOLE IN THE ROCK ROAD
Arriving in Escalante (the nearest town), we drove 26 miles down one of the most washboarded roads we’ve ever been on. It didn’t help that our shocks were in severe need of replacing (we replaced them here), so it was a bumpy ride. Pyros probably thought the van was shaking apart for 26 miles, but it was well worth it.
Tip: pressuring down your tires helps tremendously on rough roads like this. We aired down to 25psi. There is a tire shop in town that let us air back up. If they are closed or busy, the gas station out front has a coin op air compressor.
Aside from the long drive over rough road, Hole in the Rock Road is home to some amazing landscapes, filled with slot canyons and hikes galore. It cuts through part of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. There is some fantastic free camping right at the beginning of the road, too, which makes for a great base camp while you explore the area. Here’s where you can find that camping.
Hole in the Rock from Escalante Utah to Peek-a-boo Gulch Parking Area.
IS HOLE IN THE ROCK A 4X4 ROAD?
Eventually, yes… but the trailhead you are headed to isn’t.
BUT!!…
The road in is INCREDIBLY rough. It’s a VERY washboarded road. If you are looking for a nice, leisurely drive, this isn’t it. There’s no hazard, really, of getting stuck or anything, but it’s just simply rough.
AND…
The one mile stretch of road from the Peek-a-boo Gulch Parking Area to the Dry Fork Trailhead where the actual hiking trail starts is borderline 4×4 required.
Our Recommendation: Park at the Peek-a-boo gulch parking area and walk up the road to the Dry Fork Trailhead unless you are driving at LEAST:
- 4×4 Truck (stock height is likely fine)
- 2 wheel drive Truck (if it’s got a mild lift with, perhaps at least 31″ tires
High Top 4×4 Sprinter/Transit/Promaster? Probably park and walk. The trail is SUPER off-camber and the roll-over hazard isn’t particularly high, but will be unsettling for someone un-experienced-untrained with off road travel. Also, there is a pretty sizeable ledge that will give most vans issue when coming down in regards to departure angle.
HIKING PEEK-A-BOO & SPOOKY GULCH SLOT CANYONS
Hiking Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons is basically a loop between the two canyons. You come to Peek-a-Boo first, hike up that canyon, and then take a short trail that connects to the top of Spooky to hike down that canyon. Once you reach the bottom of Spooky, a trail then takes you back up to the entrance.
However, if you want to add a bit to your adventure, you can simply turn around and reverse the trail when you get to the bottom of Spooky. With plenty of daylight left, we opted to do this. We certainly weren’t ready to call it quits yet!
GPS BASED TRAIL MAPS: VIEW ON GAIA – VIEW ON ALLTRAILS
PEEK-A-BOOK OR SPOOKY FIRST?
Coming the reverse way (going up Spooky and then down Peek-a-boo) posed different challenges. There is a large chalkstone in the middle of Spooky Canyon which you downclimb if you are coming down from the top. Going reverse and coming up the canyon, you must scramble up the obstacle instead. It isn’t a tough scramble, but definitely a difference in the reverse direction!
While we both enjoyed going through Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons in both directions, it was interesting that Nate prefered going up both of them, while I prefered going up Peek-a-Book and down Spooky. Either way, we had a blast and still can’t wait to do it again.
PEEK-A-BOO AND SPOOKY GULCH PICTURES
The textures of the walls are our favorite part of the canyons. There is nowhere else we’ve been where you can find these kinds of lights and shadows.
Although this canyon doesn’t require any technical rope skills, there are a few spots where some mildly exposed scrambling is necessary. The canyons DO get pretty tight, but are passable.
The light in these canyons are a photographers dream. Unlike Antelope Canyon, this canyon is free to enter with no tour-guide necessary.
As you make the short hike from one canyon to the next, keep an eye out for lizards.
EXPERIENCING SLOT CANYONS
The first time we ever hiked slot canyons were in these two canyons. I had felt an awe that pushed me forward, almost unable to take in everything for want of seeing what was around the next corner.
I remembered that feeling as I climbed the first wall into Peek-a-Boo, and the sandstone felt familiar on my hands. The grippy sandstone made it simple to scale up that first wall, and I turned to grab packs from Nate while he climbed up behind me. From there, we took our time exploring and taking in the beauty surrounding us as we made our way through both canyons.
Added by Sam Watson
Easy access. Awesome slot canyon experience. Easy to hike (no ropes required). Dog friendly. Out-and-back hike. 4 miles roundtrip.
Willis Creek Slot Canyon begins at the Willis Creek Trailhead, located in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The trail is very easy to find and follow. It begins winding through junipers for several hundred feet before dropping gradually into a wash, at which point it meets up with Willis Creek. Be ready to get your feet wet, because the creek and the trail are interwoven for the rest of the hike. Almost immediately after joining up with the creek, walls of winding sandstone rise sharply up from either side of the trail, creating a great slot canyon experience. This is a fantastic hike for families, those with dogs, or anyone who wants to experience an excellent slot canyon without having to use ropes. The creek winds through alternating sections of slot canyon and washes for several miles. Most hikers enjoy Willis Creek as an out-and-back hike, walking until they feel ready to turn back (roughly two miles out, two miles back).
Getting there: Willis Creek is accessible from the Willis Creek Trailhead, located nine miles from the town of Cannonville, Utah. There is a BLM Visitor Center in Cannonville, which is a great place to stop in to get information about the current conditions of Willis Creek and surrounding areas. Drive south on Main Street until Cottonwood Road splits off to the right. This is a dirt road, and might be difficult to drive in wet conditions. Follow this for six miles until you reach a small parking lot that has a sign for Willis Creek. Park here, and have fun on the hike!
Willis Creek is dog friendly, so bring your dog if you so choose. Just remember to clean up after them so as to preserve the experience for others. Like all slot canyons, be sure to check the weather prior to hiking. If there is any chance of rain, save Willis Creek for another day. Flash floods are a possibility if rain is in the forecast, and can be deadly. Stopping in at the BLM station before hiking will give you all the information you need in this regard.
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Reviews
Justin Schaefer
🥈 Contributor
over 2 years ago
Great hike
Easily accessible (we were able to drive to it with a Hyundai Elantra). The hike itself was very easy for all fitness levels, was not crowded, and had beautiful scenery!
5.0
Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley Of Fire
Kelley Dodge
🥈 Contributor
almost 4 years ago
Easy Slot Canyon
Slot Canyon Monument Valley
Very easy to get to and nice that you can walk right into the slot canyons unlike others where you need ropes or rappelling gear. We were one of two groups on the trail all day. It's a nice, quiet escape from the crowds at Bryce Canyon.
5.0
Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley
Reid Gulley
about 4 years ago
Slot Canyons Near Monument Valley Fair
great family hike
Dirt road with a couple steep grades. Great hike hopping back and forth over the stream. Wonderful terrain and color. Slot sections are impressive easy walking, not the super narrow shimmy sideways between the sides slots. Bring some snacks and enjoy.
4.0
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