Slot canyons abound throughout Utah, and I have been itching to explore these unique formations ever since seeing pictures of The Narrows at Zion, . When planning our trip to Utah in 2020, Annie Sargent of Join Us in France Travel Podcast highly recommended to me that we do not miss the hike at Little Wild Horse Canyon (Thanks, Annie!). Once I started researching it, I knew it was the perfect introduction to slot canyons for our active family. so I penciled it in on our itinerary.
The Hike
Little Wild Horse Canyon – in & out: 3.6 miles roundtrip (3-4 hours) begins along a wide, dry riverbed dotted with brush and small trees. Within 1/2 a mile, you have the choice to go left to Bell Canyon or right to Little Wild Horse Canyon. We knew we were not up for the 8 mile Bell Canyon loop, so we kept to the right and quickly entered the towering sandstone canyon walls. The walls changed in color and striation with every twist and turn. As we meandered through the canyon, over rock tumbles and a sandy riverbed, the canyon grew tighter and tighter. At some points, the base of the canyon was only wide enough to place one foot in front of the other. In those places, my kids enjoyed testing their American Ninja Warrior skills by treating the canyon walls like a spider climb.
Some areas were super narrow 
The great thing about this canyon is that except between 11:30 – 12:30, the steep walls and narrow opening at the top provide shade for the majority of the hike. We hiked from about 9:30 am to 11:45am and were in shade the entire time while in the canyon. We decided to turn around and head back out around 10:45 so that we were not hiking in the canyon in full sun.
This hike is completely doable for people of all ages. You really do not need to complete the whole trail to experience its unique beauty. It is non technical and if you aren’t super keen on clambering up the next boulder in front of you, it’s very easy to turn around and return the way you came. The only caveat is that it is important to check the local weather. I would not hike this canyon if storms are in the area (or predicted). If there was a flash flood, there would be nowhere to escape.
Wildlife??
Since we were hiking in the middle of the day, we didn’t expect to see much in the way of wildlife… and that was pretty much true. We saw the obligatory lizards scuttling across the rocks but it was a pretty silent place. Of course, leave it to a good ol’ game of hide and seek to set everyone’s heart a flutter….Our youngest enjoyed hiding around bends and jumping out and “scaring” Dad as he brought up the rear. One bend happened to be right next to a bush and some dried brush. Lo and behold, he jetted out of his hiding place before Dad arrived exclaiming, “There’s a rattlesnake back there!” The rattler had been resting in the shade and warned him that he was too close by shaking that tell-tale tail! This certainly kept us on our toes and was a good reminder of where snakes like to rest on hot days! And my son enjoyed warning everyone we met about the snake he saw.
Nearby – Goblin Valley State Park
Sandstone formations in the shape of “goblins”? Yes, please! This state park is full of these otherworldly “creatures” just waiting to be explored. It is a great place for hide and seek, climb, or just wandering amongst the towering lumps. We stopped here after our hike and would have loved to spend more time (not in the heat of the day). Great for kids of all ages! PS – They have a Junior Ranger Program, too!
Pictures Really Do Not Do These “Goblins” Justice
Where to Stay?
You have 2 options – camp at Goblin Valley State Park (without electricity/generator hours from 8am – 8pm)) or boondock off the dirt roads in the area. Since we were there in the heat of the summer, we didn’t think camping without electricity was a wise choice… so we ended up boondocking at the base of amazing cliffs off the road leading to Little Wild Horse Canyon. We could run our generator without disturbing anyone. Now, we usually camp in organized campgrounds so this was a new experience. We loved the setting but felt a little exposed to anyone that drove by on the road. There was really nothing to give privacy. In the future, we would probably try to find a spot with more privacy or if it wasn’t the summer, camp at Goblin Valley.
Getting Here
Off of SR24 about 2 hours from Capitol Reef and an hour from Green River/I-70, it’s easy to find. Approaching from I-70, you see nothing but dry, windswept grasses until the “Rafael Swell” (that contains Little Wild Horse Canyon and Goblin Valley) looms in the distance. To reach Little Wild Horse Canyon, take the turn off for Goblin Valley onto Temple Mountain Road, turn left on Goblin Valley Road, right onto Wild Horse Road and continue to the trailhead. Cell reception is basically nonexistent in this area, so make sure you drop pins/have offline maps to help you navigate.
Why You Should Go?
We have done some amazing hikes with the kids and this is hands-down the favorite hike for all 4 of us. It is so unique and accessible that we can’t recommend it more highly.
Hop, Skip & Voyage Away 