Little Wild Horse Canyon

Quick Facts
Season: Any - don't hike during snow or rain
Time for hike: 4 to 6 hours
Elevation gain: 500 feet
Water: Seasonal potholes in both canyons. Bring your own drinking water
Circle trip

Little Wild Horse Canyon is by far and away the most popular canyon in the San Rafael Swell - with good reason. It is a high-walled, tight narrows canyon, spectacular at every twist, turn and corner. Colors and textures run rampant here-a photographer's delight. The Navajo narrows of Little Wild Horse Canyon last for a mile or more.

The route goes up Little Wild Horse Canyon. After exiting the canyon it traverses west along the backside of the Southern Reef on the Behind the Reef road to Bell Canyon which it descends back to the start.

Go up the wash to the north. In fifteen minutes the wash divides. Bell Canyon is to the left (LUC) (SW). Go up Little Wild Horse Canyon to the right (NNW). For the next hour twist and squeeze through remarkable narrows. They politely open occasionally to give you a rest and a place to reload your camera. There are small obstacles to overcome, but nothing serious. For the less fit, or those with children, go as far as you are comfortable. Hiking through the first narrow section is a treat everyone will enjoy.

As you exit the head of the canyon you will see mining debris and sections of mining track. Follow the track north to the Behind the Reef road. Go left (W) on the road for thirty miles. The head of Bell Canyon starts at the next bread in the escarpment. To the west, on a knoll is a picturesque miner's cabin. Go south down Bell Canyon. It has small obstacles to circumvent. Bell canyon goes back to the mouth of Little Wild Horse Canyon.

From child to senior, fat to fit, everyone will enjoy these canyons.

Taken from Canyoneering the San Rafael Swell, by Steve Allen. This book details over 60 hikes in and near the Swell, from easy 1-hour strolls to multiday backpacking trips and technical canyoneering. No avid explorer of the Swell should be with out this one. This book is available at our museums of online via www.greenriver-utah.com/maps.shtml