Little Wild Horse Canyon is the slot canyon people usually recommend to anyone who has never done one: no ropes, no technical gear, and a loop that comes back to the same parking lot. It sits in the San Rafael Swell, a few miles from Goblin Valley State Park, which makes it a natural second stop on a trip south from Utah Valley.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Loop | About 8 miles, close to 4 hours | BLM |
| Difficulty | Not technical, some scrambling | BLM, Utah.com |
| Trailhead | Little Wild Horse Trailhead, Muddy Creek Wilderness | BLM |
| Coordinates | 38.58299, -110.8029 | BLM |
| Facilities | Parking lot, vault toilets, kiosk | BLM |
| Dogs | Leashed dogs allowed | BLM |
Getting there
The BLM gives directions from Highway 24: go west on Temple Mountain Road for 5 miles, south on Goblin Valley Road for 6 miles, then west on Wild Horse Road for 5 miles. From Provo that is a drive of about three hours to the Goblin Valley area, according to our Goblin Valley guide, then a short drive on dirt.
The hike
The loop goes up Little Wild Horse and returns through Bell Canyon (many hikers reverse it). Utah.com describes a long stretch of narrows where the walls are so close you turn sideways to pass, and a dry fall of about 6 feet near the end of the narrows in Little Wild Horse. Some hikers climb it alone and others need a boost. Pools can form in spring or after storms, usually ankle-deep, and the BLM says to be prepared to wade.
Flash floods come first
The BLM trailhead page warns of "extreme potential for flash floods." Utah.com is blunt: never enter a slot canyon if there is a significant chance of rain anywhere in the drainage. Rain falling miles away can send water into a narrow channel. Check the forecast for the whole area before leaving, and turn around if the sky changes. Our Escalante slot canyons guide covers another group of slot canyons farther south.
Kids and who should skip it
Utah.com calls it a popular family and youth-group hike and a good introduction to canyoneering. Small children will need help at the dry fall and in tight sections, and a full 8 miles is long for them. Skip it if rain is anywhere in the forecast, if you are uneasy in tight spaces or if you cannot scramble.
When to go
Spring and fall, per Utah.com. In summer, start early and watch the August thunderstorms. In winter, one Utah guide warns of standing water or ice after a storm; see our winter driving guide for the road side.
Rules
Follow Leave No Trace and pack out all waste. The BLM's Price Field Office, (435) 636-3600, handles questions. The wider San Rafael Swell trip and our day trips from Provo list help you build an overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Little Wild Horse and Bell Canyons loop?
Is it a technical slot canyon?
Is there a dry fall?
How dangerous are flash floods?
Are dogs allowed?
What facilities are at the trailhead?
When is the best time to go?
How far is it from Provo?
Sources
The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.
- Little Wild Horse Trailhead, Bureau of Land Management. Checked November 2, 2026.
- San Rafael Swell Recreation Area, Bureau of Land Management. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Little Wild Horse Canyon, Utah Office of Tourism (Utah.com). Checked November 2, 2026.
