Hiking Our First Slot Canyon At Little Wild Horse Canyon
Little Wild Horse Canyon is another stunning natural attraction located in the San Rafael Swell, near Goblin Valley State Park in Utah.
This was are first slot canyon hike and we loved it!
Little Wild Horse Canyon is known for its narrow, winding passages, towering sandstone walls, and unique rock formations. The canyon features a series of slot canyons, which are narrow gorges formed by the erosion of the sandstone over millions of years.
Hiking through Little Wild Horse Canyon allows visitors to witness the beauty and geological wonders of the area. The trailhead (38.58288, -110.80289) for the hike is located off of Wild Horse Road right before the entrance to Goblin Valley State Park.
The hike itself is typically done as a loop, combining Little Wild Horse Canyon with Bell Canyon, which is located adjacent to it.
The total loop hike is around 8 miles long, but visitors can choose to explore only Little Wild Horse Canyon if they prefer a shorter hike.
We chose to do a shorter version of the hike because a section of the slot canyon required some more intensive rock scrambling I didn’t want to do.
We ended up hiking about 1.25 miles in and then turning around.
The slot canyons can be narrow at times, requiring some scrambling and squeezing through tight spaces, adding an element of excitement and adventure to the experience.
The second slot canyon we came to was much more narrow and required a bit more maneuvering, but was a lot of fun.
It’s important to note that due to flash flood risks in slot canyons, it’s essential to check the weather forecast and avoid entering the canyons if there is a chance of rain or storms in the area.
Flash floods can be extremely dangerous in narrow canyons.
Little Wild Horse Canyon is a remarkable natural formation that showcases the incredible power of erosion and the beauty of the Utah desert landscape. It provides a memorable hiking experience and an opportunity to immerse oneself in the captivating and unique geology of the region.
We had an absolute blast and cannot wait to hike our next slot canyon. If you are visiting Goblin Valley State Park I highly recommend setting some time aside to hike Little Wild Horse Canyon.
