What the San Rafael Swell doesn’t lack is trails, but one trail in particular is by far the most popular hike in the area: Little Wild Horse Canyon. There is good reason for masses of people who squeeze through this classic Utah slot every year. First, it’s among the most beautiful slot canyons in Utah with sculpted sandstone walls, narrow sections, and open spots in the canyon that reveal massive cliffs and protected alcoves green with cottonwood trees. Second, as far as slot canyons go, Little Wild Horse is easy to hike. Kids, older folks, and inexperienced hikers can all enjoy all or a little bit of the canyon.
Many people combine Little Wild Horse Canyon with the neighboring Bell Canyon to make an 8-mile loop. While it’s a good way to explore more of the area, I like to hike Little Wild Horse as an out-and-back. The canyon itself is much more scenic than Bell, and it looks different going back down than coming up, so you get to see it in a whole new light.
To begin, locate the trailhead just outside Goblin Valley State Park. From the town of Green River, take I-70 west for 13 miles and get off on exit 149. Drive south on Highway 24 toward Hanksville for around 24 miles and go right (west) at the signed turnoff for Goblin Valley. A few miles later, the road swings south. Follow the signs to Goblin Valley. Just before the state park entrance, there is a sign for Little Wild Horse Canyon. Take the dirt road outside the park boundary for just over 5 miles to the well-signed trailhead. There is ample parking and a pit toilet.
The start of the hike is up a dry, wide wash as the canyon goes north. In half-a-mile, you’ll come to the intersection with lower Bell Canyon. Stay right and continue into Little Wild Horse. Navigation is easy, though there is the occasional cairn where you might lose the way.
From the Bell Canyon turnoff, the hike starts to get fun. Wild rock formations, amber-hued sandstone walls, and narrow slot sections send you deeper into the depths. You’ll have a blast crawling under massive boulders, squeezing through the slots, scrambling over rockfall, and maybe even getting your feet wet in potholes that litter the canyon floor in the spring or just after a rain storm. You never know what to expect when you hike the canyon, and that’s part of the fun. Plus, if you bring the kids along, they will have a blast.
Two miles into the hike, the narrows end at the most difficult rockfall. Most people can easily scramble up, but there is a bypass trail that goes to a shelf above the obstruction. Beyond the narrows, the canyon opens up, but is no less beautiful. Rock cliffs loom overhead as the trail twists through the sand. When you’ve had your fill, turn around at any time and go for the wild ride once again by hiking down canyon back to your car. If you want to keep going for the whole loop, continue up for another mile until the canyon splits. Go left (west) on the footpath and in .5 miles, you will reach Behind The Reef Road. Go left (west) in this 4×4 track for 1.4 miles to the entrance of Bell Canyon.
Hike south in Bell for 1.8 miles until it intersects with Little Wild Horse Canyon. While Bell isn’t as adventurous, it’s still worth doing at least once. The entire loop is about 8 miles and you should give yourself at least 6 hours to complete it.
So if you’re looking for a hike in the San Rafael Swell, or need a break from Goblin watching at the state park, make the trip to Little Wild Horse Canyon. It is popular and can be really crowded on weekend in the spring and fall, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying one of Utah’s wonderful slot canyons.