Conditions Right Now
Use sunset as your turnaround alarm.
Why Hike This
Two slot canyons on one loop is the appeal, and both of them stay walkable, which is what makes this doable with kids who would bail on Spooky. BLM calls the full loop about four hours with a few scrambling sections, and the trailhead has a real parking lot, vault toilets and a kiosk. Leashed dogs are allowed, which is worth knowing before you leave one in the car. The flash flood potential is described by BLM as extreme, so read the forecast for the whole Swell.
The Trail
Utah's best family slot canyon loop, near Goblin Valley.
Heat note: desert country - in summer start at dawn and carry more water than feels reasonable.
Pack Loadout (Moderate)
2 liters water, trail shoes, sun layer, snacks, small first-aid kit.
Getting There
Make it a weekend: Fruita Campground (Camping, 32 mi) · Millsite Reservoir (Fishing, 41 mi) · Singletree Campground (Camping, 45 mi) · Fish Lake (Fishing, 49 mi)
More hikes nearby: Goblin Valley Free Roam (Hike, 6 mi) · Hickman Bridge (Hike, 31 mi) · Grand Wash (Hike, 31 mi) · Cassidy Arch (Hike, 32 mi)
Quick Answers
- How long is the Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon hike?
- 8 miles round trip with 900 feet of elevation gain.
- How hard is Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon?
- Moderate. Kid rating: 4 out of 5.
- When should I hike Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon?
- Best season: Spring & Fall.
- Why hike Little Wild Horse & Bell Canyon?
- Because it is the rare slot canyon loop a family can actually finish. BLM puts the eight-mile circuit at around four hours with only a few scrambles, and the trailhead has vault toilets and a proper lot. Water can sit in the narrows and require wading, and the flash flood risk here is rated extreme, so check the sky first.