Have you ever wanted to explore a slot canyon? If you have, Little Wild Horse Canyon is absolutely a slot canyon hike for you. Ever since seeing videos of people tackling these canyons that challenge you more than your average hike, I’ve been so intrigued. While we were searching for hikes to do while we were in Utah, Matt found this beautiful slot canyon that, although still challenging, is considered a great slot canyon for beginners.
Quick Info About Little Wild Horse Canyon
HIKE DIFFICULTY: Easy to Moderate
HIKE DISTANCE: 8 Mile Loop which includes Bell Slot Canyon as well // 5.14 Miles if you go out + back like we did
TRAILHEAD LOCATION: Near Goblin Valley State Park (5 miles from the state park entrance) off Wild Horse Road (or 1013)
TRAIL FEE: It is 100% free to hike this trail!
BEST TIME TO HIKE: I highly recommend early morning. We started the trail about 30 minutes after sunrise. This was amazing for two reasons. One is that we had the canyon completely to ourselves until we started back, even then we only passed 10 people total. Plus, it was cool and we could move much quicker without the heat coming up off the rocks.
WATCH THE WEATHER: Hikers should never enter a slot canyon if there is any chance of rain as slot canyons are super susceptible to flash flooding.
Our Experience on the Little Wild Horse Canyon Hike
I can’t deny that I am I huge fan of anything that makes me feel adventurous. I love heights, climbing on things and honestly, doing things that make me feel like a badass. So, the idea of taking on a slot canyon was right up my alley. This hike is all around pretty easy, all things considered, but there are definitely places that require some climbing up. So the vertically challenged (like myself) might struggle a bit if you’re doing this solo. I definitely required a hand or a boost a couple of times on this hike.
The beginning of the hike is through a sandy area with desert brush growing up around it. This section doesn’t last long, but the sand is deep enough that it’ll definitely slow you down.
Shortly, walls start to form around you. First, they’ll be far apart, then suddenly you come upon a section that feels like it should be a dead end, but around a corner it continues on and becomes the first taste of slot canyon.
The trail eventually Y’s (see photo above) and there’s a sign that points out Bell Canyon to the left and Little Wild Horse Canyon to the right. As I said at the beginning, this is technically a loop. However, Matt and I only went through Little Wild Horse Canyon and came back out – mostly because you reach a point of boulder-climbing that I didn’t feel as comfortable doing pregnant. Next time we’ll do the whole loop, provided Charleigh is big enough to do so.
Truly, Little Wild Horse Canyon is the perfect introduction to slot-canyoning. This was our first slot canyon, and I feel confident that it won’t be our last. The trail is very straight forward, as the canyon is the trail so it’s quite difficult to get lost. You’ll come across obstacles like super-duper skinny sections, boulders to climb over or crawl under and a couple of ledges you have to hoist yourself up and over. That said, throughout this hike there are several short sections that open up into a wider canyon. But the next section of slot canyon lays close ahead.
The hike is sure to fulfill those adventure cravings. Matt and I giggled as we squeezed through things. We helped each other navigate the best ways to get through the canyons obstacles and best of all, we created memories to last a lifetime.
For the Love of Wanderlust Tip: Wear shoes with really strong grip. I wore my trail running shoes thinking that they would sufficiently grip and the closed-toe shoes would keep my toes protected and the sand out. However, I greatly wish I had just worn my Tevas on this hike, like I did every single other hike. Their grip is so much better.
Getting to Little Wild Horse Canyon
There are obviously a million places you could be visiting Little Wild Horse Canyon from, but the two most likely are Moab (Arches + Canyonlands National Parks) and Capital Reef National Park. To make it easier I thought we’d give directions from both of these nearby popular locations. If you use GPS be sure to specify Little Wild Horse Canyon / Bell Canyon TRAILHEAD, or it will drop you in the middle of nowhere
FROM MOAB // Drive Time: About 2 hours, 20 minutes
Take US-191 N (Main Street in Moab) for about 31 miles before merging onto I-70-W. Take I-70 W for about 32 miles until you reach exit UT-24 W (Hanksville). Continue on UT-24 W for about 24 miles before turning right on Temple Road. After about 5 miles, turn left onto Goblin Valley Road. In 6 miles, turn right on Wild Horse Road. After about 5 miles, the Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Trailhead will be on your right. You’ll see a sign and small parking area.
FROM CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK // Drive Time: About 1 hour, 25 minutes
Take UT-24 E about 28 miles before turning left to continue on 24 for another 20 miles. Turn left onto Temple Road, drive for about 5 miles before turning onto Goblin Valley Road. After 5 miles, take Wild Horse Road. The trailhead will be about five miles down this road to your right. There is a sign and a small parking area.
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