- Slot Canyons Near Escalante Ut
- Slot Canyons Near Escalante Utah
- Slot Canyon Near Escalante Utah
- Slot Canyons Near Escalante Utah
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.
TAKING A DETOUR
Slot Canyons Near Escalante Ut
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.
Red Hollow Red Hollow is located in Orderville near Zion National Park. This slot canyon begins at the end of a dirt road. The hike is only 1.0 mile round trip and is a great place to start slot canyon adventures. These canyons have a moderate flashflood danger, check the local weather before entering these slot canyons. Trailhead Information: From Main and Center in the town of Escalante, Utah travel 5.0 miles east on Highway 12 to the signed Hole-In-The-Rock Road (N37° 43' 39', W111° 31' 54').
Slot Canyons Near Escalante Utah
GETTING THERE:
HOLE IN THE ROCK ROAD
Zebra Slot canyon was a very strenuous hike but well worth it. Hiking in the views are similar to surrounding area, pretty but not fascinating. Once in the slot it changes dramatically and picture worthy. Road to slot canyon is gravel and washboard. Spooky Gulch is a short slot canyon hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, located on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, 26 miles south of the town of Escalante.
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.
Peek-a-boo Gulch is located in the scenic Grand Staircase National Monument near Escalante, Utah and adjacent to Spooky Gulch. It is not to be confused with Red Slot Canyon AKA Peekaboo. These two slot canyon hikes are usually hiked together as a loop that totals in about 3.5 miles. The trail is not really long but it is a fun area to explore.
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. Poker strategy deep stack tournament strategy. 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.
Expect Mild Discomfort
Right before descending a steep section of slickrock into the gulch, our manager Chris cheerfully reminded us to not fall into the trap of 'Guides guiding guides', where no one admits to being uncomfortable until someone gets hurt. After spending three hard days preparing for the coming season, a group of guides took a break to hike Peek-a-Boo and Spooky: Two incredibly narrow, but non-technical slot canyons in southern Utah. Non-technical means they don't require ropes or harnesses. Narrow means contrary to Chris's request, I definitely became a little uncomfortable.
The Escalante Wilderness
Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument is a big name. Then again it's a big place – almost 2 million acres of wilderness. This section of southwestern Utah holds the last river mapped in the lower 48 US states. The last explored mountains. The last areas surveyed by the USGS. By design, the monument keeps infrastructure and services to a minimum to preserve the wild, labyrinthine landscape. Escalante is where it still takes a little work to reach the good stuff.
But the stuff? It's very good. Centuries of violent floods carved Peek-a-Boo and Spooky into long, pseudo-hallways where the sandstone mirrors the water that shaped it. Squeezing and clambering through the rocks of these slot canyons with just a dim slit of sky above is half childish glee, half existential awe. It took me back to clambering over statues and jungle gyms at the park, except this was built by nature alone – and more unforgiving.
Under no circumstances should you hike a slot canyon if there is the chance of rain.
Bring What You Need
Thanks to the national monument, there are no long lines or tourist traps near these slot canyons. The small towns of Tropic and Escalante provide necessary services, but when you head into the monument itself, bring everything you need. Don't anticipate being near water, bathrooms, or cell signal on your hikes. A high-clearance vehicle is also best for navigating the unpaved roads, and necessary in some parts.
Once we cleared Peek-a-Boo, where we shimmied around warped corners and scrambled over ledges, we'd had a good workout. That's when Chris happily chimed in again.
'So, if you found that claustrophobic, Spooky is where it's going to actually be tight. Just a fair warning.'
Required Skills
A non-technical slot canyon does require one important piece of equipment: your body. While no ropes or tools were required, you will have to be fit, flexible, and comfortable supporting your own weight. Once you're in a slot canyon, your only choice may be to keep going–there's no early exit, and your entrypoint may become unreachable if you drop far enough in.
Spooky canyon didn't mess around. At least twice, we had to navigate by bracing back against one wall, legs against the other, and walking down a steep drop. I was forced to take off my pack off and lead it in front of me–and often hand it up or toss it down to a partner so that I could use all four limbs to work past a particularly thorny section. Turning around slot canyons isn't always an option, but turning around in Spooky was sometimes physically impossible.
Watch Out for Monsoons
At some point, the thought 'I feel trapped' will occur to you in a slot canyon, and that's part of the fun! But this should also occur to you before you hike, for one very important reason: monsoons. Under no circumstances should you hike a slot canyon if there is the chance of rain. For the monsoon period of July through early September, many canyoneers put away their equipment. It is impossible to see bad weather coming from inside a slot canyon, and desert monsoons approach very quickly. If a deluge comes down, there is no escape. Unfortunately, people die every year from these floods.
One of Many Mysteries
Slot Canyon Near Escalante Utah
Slot Canyons Near Escalante Utah
GETTING THERE:
HOLE IN THE ROCK ROAD
Zebra Slot canyon was a very strenuous hike but well worth it. Hiking in the views are similar to surrounding area, pretty but not fascinating. Once in the slot it changes dramatically and picture worthy. Road to slot canyon is gravel and washboard. Spooky Gulch is a short slot canyon hike in the Grand Staircase-Escalante area, located on the Hole-in-the-Rock Road, 26 miles south of the town of Escalante.
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.
Peek-a-boo Gulch is located in the scenic Grand Staircase National Monument near Escalante, Utah and adjacent to Spooky Gulch. It is not to be confused with Red Slot Canyon AKA Peekaboo. These two slot canyon hikes are usually hiked together as a loop that totals in about 3.5 miles. The trail is not really long but it is a fun area to explore.
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. Poker strategy deep stack tournament strategy. 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.
Expect Mild Discomfort
Right before descending a steep section of slickrock into the gulch, our manager Chris cheerfully reminded us to not fall into the trap of 'Guides guiding guides', where no one admits to being uncomfortable until someone gets hurt. After spending three hard days preparing for the coming season, a group of guides took a break to hike Peek-a-Boo and Spooky: Two incredibly narrow, but non-technical slot canyons in southern Utah. Non-technical means they don't require ropes or harnesses. Narrow means contrary to Chris's request, I definitely became a little uncomfortable.
The Escalante Wilderness
Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument is a big name. Then again it's a big place – almost 2 million acres of wilderness. This section of southwestern Utah holds the last river mapped in the lower 48 US states. The last explored mountains. The last areas surveyed by the USGS. By design, the monument keeps infrastructure and services to a minimum to preserve the wild, labyrinthine landscape. Escalante is where it still takes a little work to reach the good stuff.
But the stuff? It's very good. Centuries of violent floods carved Peek-a-Boo and Spooky into long, pseudo-hallways where the sandstone mirrors the water that shaped it. Squeezing and clambering through the rocks of these slot canyons with just a dim slit of sky above is half childish glee, half existential awe. It took me back to clambering over statues and jungle gyms at the park, except this was built by nature alone – and more unforgiving.
Under no circumstances should you hike a slot canyon if there is the chance of rain.
Bring What You Need
Thanks to the national monument, there are no long lines or tourist traps near these slot canyons. The small towns of Tropic and Escalante provide necessary services, but when you head into the monument itself, bring everything you need. Don't anticipate being near water, bathrooms, or cell signal on your hikes. A high-clearance vehicle is also best for navigating the unpaved roads, and necessary in some parts.
Once we cleared Peek-a-Boo, where we shimmied around warped corners and scrambled over ledges, we'd had a good workout. That's when Chris happily chimed in again.
'So, if you found that claustrophobic, Spooky is where it's going to actually be tight. Just a fair warning.'
Required Skills
A non-technical slot canyon does require one important piece of equipment: your body. While no ropes or tools were required, you will have to be fit, flexible, and comfortable supporting your own weight. Once you're in a slot canyon, your only choice may be to keep going–there's no early exit, and your entrypoint may become unreachable if you drop far enough in.
Spooky canyon didn't mess around. At least twice, we had to navigate by bracing back against one wall, legs against the other, and walking down a steep drop. I was forced to take off my pack off and lead it in front of me–and often hand it up or toss it down to a partner so that I could use all four limbs to work past a particularly thorny section. Turning around slot canyons isn't always an option, but turning around in Spooky was sometimes physically impossible.
Watch Out for Monsoons
At some point, the thought 'I feel trapped' will occur to you in a slot canyon, and that's part of the fun! But this should also occur to you before you hike, for one very important reason: monsoons. Under no circumstances should you hike a slot canyon if there is the chance of rain. For the monsoon period of July through early September, many canyoneers put away their equipment. It is impossible to see bad weather coming from inside a slot canyon, and desert monsoons approach very quickly. If a deluge comes down, there is no escape. Unfortunately, people die every year from these floods.
One of Many Mysteries
Slot Canyon Near Escalante Utah
Slot Canyons Near Escalante Utah
When we finally emerged, I enjoyed the novelty of stretching my arms under an open sky. Incredibly, Peek-a-boo and Spooky represent only a sample of the wonders that can be explored in Escalante. It's also home to haunting 1,000-year-old pictographs, sandstone cliffs covered in massive brushstrokes of desert varnish, and a 50-mile-long ancient shoreline that's still visible today. There are a hundred mysteries to be discovered inside the monument, if you're ready to leave the national park infrastructure behind. Our excursion only cost us some sore muscles – definitely worth it.
