Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch

1. Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Trailhead
2. Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Utah Map
3. Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Horses For Sale
4. Buckskin Gulch Map
5. Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Trail

1. Located in the Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness of Utah and Arizona, this spectacular and unique hike winds through one of the deepest and longest slot canyons in the world: Buckskin Gulch. Wavy sandstone walls twist their way to the sky for nearly thirteen miles, creating surreal patterns of l.
2. Buckskin Gulch is labeled as the longest slot canyon in the world, 21 miles one way. It is dark and narrow with just enough obstacles to keep things interesting. Photo Credit: OakleyOriginals.

Added by Tobin Akehurst

You have the option to hike the whole 15 miles but you can also hike in a few miles and turn back while still getting the experience of exploring Buckskin Gulch, the longest slot canyon in the world. Be super aware and careful of flash floods, check in on weather before going. You'll need a $5 self issue permit required at trailhead.

BUCKSKIN GULCH TOUR Alleged to be the longest slot canyon in the world, the deep and winding Buckskin Gulch intrigues all who enter it. The narrows section of it extends more than 15 miles, where the space between each wall often shrinks to less than 10 feet. Buckskin Gulch, a canyon in southern Utah and one of the main tributaries of the Paria River, which is a minor tributary of the Colorado River, is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the southwest. This is one of the best hike we’ve ever did. The rock color is so amazing unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

Buckskin Gulch is a natural wonder. At 15 miles long it is the longest slot canyon in the world. It sometimes is as narrow as 2ft. Because of the nature of this canyon and Utah topography this canyon is subject to deadly flash flood if it rains anywhere along the headwaters. Be sure to check in with local Rangers about current flash flood predictions.

Starting at the Wire Pass Trailhead gives you a shorter, more scenic start to Buckskin Gulch. Once you are in the canyon there is only two ways to go, farther in, or out.

We hiked in 5 miles before turning around without needing to wade through any water deeper than 8 inches. You can backpack the whole length of the canyon if you have appropriate gear and experience. If you choose to go farther will likely have to wade, or swim through deep, sometimes putrid water.

This is a real adventure, not easy, and not always safe. However, the peaceful serenity of the silent canyon with its majestically sweeping sandstone walls, painted in hues of yellow, orange, red and pink will soon seduce you into staying a while in this otherwise inhospitable place.

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Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Trailhead

Reviews

Crystal Sibson

🥇Top Contributor

4 months ago

Long Sandy Hike

The canyon is beautiful but the sand makes this trek so much more exhausting. Be sure to check the weather before heading into the canyon due to flash flood risks.

4.0

Scott Sichler

🥇Top Contributor

about 3 years ago

Great hike

I really enjoyed this one. I got a little muddy and wish I had brought poles and minimalist outdoor shoes in addition to my boots for the muddy spots. Bring exact change ($6) for the permit. Check the weather and stop at the BLM office as rain as far away as Brice Canyon can affect the slot. Some video I took - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiQyGFl_hzM

5.0

Matt Purciel

🥈 Contributor

about 4 years ago

Incredible slot canyon without all the crowds!

I would agree...if you aren't able to get Wave permits hike Buckskin Gulch instead. It starts from the same trail head. But this is a wilderness experience for sure and make sure you're cautious. We hiked it in winter and it got pretty cold down into the slot so bring plenty of layers. Also be cautious when hiking into the pools. It's very muddy and my friends sank pretty deep into the quicksand! Bring hiking polls to help. Overall you need to add Buckskin Gulch to to your list!

5.0

Nathan Wall

🥈 Contributor

over 4 years ago

Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Utah Map

Worthwhile Wonder

Buckskin Gulch is a sublime wonderland, and though not as delicate as Antelope Canyon (or other area classics), it makes for an exceptional day-hike when you weren't able to snag your Wave permit! Some moderate scrambling skills (Class 2-3) were necessary last time I made my way through the canyon. As always, do not enter the canyon if there is any chance of significant precipitation in the area: Buckskin and the Paria drain from the Colorado Plateau and flash floods can and do reach the canyon from as far North as Bryce!

4.0

Thomas Burton

🥇Top Contributor

over 4 years ago

A wonderful canyon!

It has been called one of the most deadly hikes in the world. Every turn the canyon took I had to snap another photo. I have never been in any canyon that match the magnitude of Buckskin. While in the canyon we saw an owl that tried to land on my fathers backpack but missed and instead landed into some water. We also saw a baby rattlesnake. Before we started it rained really hard and when we entered the canyon there was a small river moving through it. It was crazy. What a fun trip.

5.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.

Buckskin Gulch is a spectacular slot canyon located in south-central Utah, halfway between the towns of Kanab and Page. It is the longest and deepest slot canyon in the United States and perhaps the entire world. Our trip takes you on an easy day-hike that includes two slot canyons; the slot of Wire Pass and two different sections of Buckskin Gulch itself.

The Dangers of Buckskin Gulch

Like so many natural areas in Utah, Buckskin Gulch is both beautiful and dangerous. If you’re not careful, a hike here could be your last. Backpacker Magazine named it the most dangerous hike in the U.S. The reason for this is the narrowness and length of the slot canyon itself. Buckskin Gulch drains a very large area of land and if there is a downpour from a storm as far away as 20 miles or more, the resulting flashflood can bring 20-40 feet of water violently rushing down the canyon. This water can arrive in hours or just minutes and, if you’re caught in the canyon, there is nowhere to escape. Many people have died in slot canyons. These flashfloods have left their calling cards in the form of large logs that have been carried down and wedged 10-20 feet above the canyon floor. You’ll see some of them when you watch our virtual video tour.

With this danger in mind, we strongly recommend that you visit the BLM office/Visitor Center in Kanab before hiking into Buckskin Gulch or doing any other adventure in this area. The knowledgeable rangers there will not only inform you of road and hiking conditions but will also have up-to-date weather information including critical information about any forecasted storms in the area. You may also learn more intriguing facts about the areas you will be visiting. Understanding the risks and making an informed decision will help keep you safe.

Once you determine that it’s safe to hike that day, the rewards of being in Buckskin Gulch can be a surreal experience like none other. There is no real trail to follow because you are walking in a drainage, wash or canyon bottom for the entire hike. The first slot canyon, in Wire Pass, has a 10 foot “pour off” or short cliff that will stop most hikers. However, there is a bypass route that climbs the sandstone to the south of the canyon. Once you get into Buckskin Gulch, depending on the time of year, there may be one more obstacle – deep mud or even quicksand. To avoid those obstacles, it is best to plan your visit a month or two after any wet spell, such as the winter rainstorms or the summertime monsoons that usually end in September.

Our First Time

We first discovered Buckskin Gulch in the late 1990s. It was one of our first forays into a slot canyon and, quite frankly, it overwhelmed us. After entering the main canyon, it didn’t take long to get into a very deep, narrow space. It’s a good thing neither of us are claustrophobic! We walked away being reminded of how powerful and violent Mother Nature can be and yet, from those violent erosional episodes, she creates such magnificent and elegant geologic formations.

Pictures

Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.

• The hike down Wire Pass
• Squeezing thru Wire Pass
• The large alcove
• The entrance to Buckskin Gulch
• Walking over the big boulders in Buckskin Gulch
• Deep inside Buckskin Gulch

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Getting There

Start your hike into Buckskin Gulch by getting to the Wire Pass trailhead on House Rock Valley Road. You can easily find this on Google Maps and then navigate to it. The turnoff to House Rock Valley Road is located roughly halfway between Kanab and Page along Hwy 89.

From the BLM office Kanab, take Hwy 89 east towards Page for 37.5 miles. You’ll see the dirt House Rock Valley Road bear off the right as Hwy 89 heads to the left. Turn right onto the dirt road.

Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Horses For Sale

From Glen Canyon Dam near Page, Arizona, head west on Hwy 89 for 32.5 miles. Just after crossing a large ridge (the Coxcomb), the road makes a sweeping right turn. At the end of the turn, make a sharp left onto House Rock Valley Road.

From Hwy 89, the Wire Pass trail is reached by heading south on House Rock Valley Road for 8.4 miles.

When you park your vehicle at the trailhead, make sure to pay the $6 per person fee and place the ticket stub on your dashboard. No one wants to return to their vehicle to find a citation under your windshield wiper.

The Hike

The hike starts in the wash of Wire Pass that will later turn into the Wire Pass slot canyon. After walking in the wash for about a mile, you’ll see ahead where it empties into a shallow slot of sandstone. Most people continue on into this slot to see the 10 foot pour-off mentioned earlier and then walk back a short distance to use the bypass route that’s located just before the entrance to the slot. As you return from the pour-off, look for a rock cairn marking a short, steep scramble up the left (south) side of the wash. Follow this route up and around the slot canyon and then it will drop down into the wash on the other side.

Continuing down the wash of Wire Pass, you’ll soon come to a second section of slot canyon. Here, the canyon becomes very narrow. So narrow, that you might need to turn sideways to get through. This portion of slot canyon ends close to the confluence with Buckskin Gulch which will not be this narrow! Just before that confluence, you’ll pass by a huge and impressive alcove where there is a series of Native American petroglyphs.

Wire Pass T’s into Buckskin Gulch 1.7 miles from the trailhead. Turning right here goes into the main and most impressive section of Buckskin Gulch. From here, it’s about 15 miles of slot canyon until it opens up into Paria Canyon and ends at Lee’s Ferry on the Colorado River. We won’t be hiking that far (but a lot of people do)! We chose to turn right first and walk down for the first mile or so where we gawked at all the wonderful textured sandstone and marveled at how deep and narrow this canyon really is. Then we walked back to the confluence.

After warming ourselves back up in the sunshine of the confluence area (slot canyons get very little sunlight and can get cold), we then continued straight (left at the T) and explored the other section of Buckskin Gulch. It was surprising how the canyon took on such a different character in this section. After exploring another mile of this section of canyon, we returned to the confluence, then hiked back up Wire Pass to return to our vehicle.

Summary

A hike into Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass is a great experience. We hiked a total of about 6 miles roundtrip. The overall hike was fairly level, except for the steep detour we took around that pour-off. This area has so many awesome and fascinating rock formations that you’ll want to come back and spend more time exploring what’s nearby. We’re already planning a trip to the northern part of Buckskin Gulch, where we’ve read that there are more unique sandstone formations to be found. Stay tuned for the next trip!

Buckskin Gulch Map

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Slot Canyon Buckskin Gulch Trail