Summary
The day hike from Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch is one of Utah’s great trails, highlighting the stunning Wire Pass slot canyon with its colorful rock formations.
Buckskin Gulch is recognized as one of the longest slot canyons in the United States. However, the Wirepass Trail offers a more direct route to it, minimizing exposure to the hot sun.
This family-friendly day hike allows you to experience two breathtaking slot canyons, along with Native American petroglyphs and other scenic views along the trail. This guide outlines where to find the Wire Pass trailhead, what to expect during the hike, and essential information to enhance your visit!
Quick Facts*
- Distance: 3.5 miles (5.5 km) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 150 feet (45 m)
- Duration: 2 hours round trip
- Difficulty: Easy
*These stats are for Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch slot canyon
What To Expect: Wire Pass To Buckskin Gulch
• Hike To Wirepass Canyon
The initial hike to Wire Pass slot canyon is pleasantly straightforward, allowing you to reach the highlight of your journey quickly. From the trailhead, simply cross the road and descend into Coyote Wash, following the wide, flat, sandy wash towards the slot entrance.
Stay within the wash and ignore the side trails you may notice. As the first part of the Wire Pass trail is fully exposed to the sun, consider donning a hat or applying sunscreen for extra protection.
Fortunately, a cool, shady slot canyon awaits after just 1.4 miles of hiking under the sun, which we reached in under 30 minutes!
• Wire Pass Slot Canyon
The Wire Pass slot canyon greets you with its narrow passage and vibrant colors, making it one of the most visually striking slot canyons we’ve encountered.
The floor is primarily flat sand, making navigation easy with only minor obstacles. There is one wooden ladder to descend, but it typically poses little challenge if you maintain three points of contact and descend backward while taking careful steps.
This hike is quite family-friendly, and if you visit on a weekday, it tends to be relatively quiet with few other hikers. While we didn’t encounter any snakes, remaining vigilant is advisable.
The slot section lasts for roughly 1/3 of a mile and can be explored in about 15-30 minutes, providing ample opportunity for stunning photographs!
• Buckskin Gulch Slot Canyon
Upon reaching the end of Wirepass Trail, you will enter a broad canyon area characterized by steep orange walls. This marks the intersection with Buckskin Gulch, the longest slot canyon in Utah and the United States, extending an impressive 21 miles.
From this point, you can choose to return to the Wire Pass trailhead or venture further into Buckskin Gulch in either direction. Many hikers opt to turn around here, but the beauty of Buckskin Gulch lies in its tranquility and solitude—the farther you explore, the quieter it becomes.
Taking a short time to investigate this new canyon before heading back is highly recommended.
If you venture right, you’ll discover a narrower, more intricate area, while the left side will eventually lead you to the Buckskin Gulch trailhead.
While we explored both directions, we turned back upon encountering a substantial puddle that would have been challenging to navigate.
We were particularly fascinated by a unique hollow, chimney-shaped formation in the rock that provided a cozy seating spot. Overall, while Buckskin offers beautiful scenery, the standout experience we had was undoubtedly in the Wire Pass canyon.
This incredible day hike rewards you with two scenic slot canyons in one!
• Petroglyphs
As you explore Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch, be sure to observe the Native American petroglyphs located near the end of the Wirepass trail!
These rock art pieces can be found on the canyon wall to your right, just as you reach the Buckskin Gulch intersection (GPS here).
After passing a shallow cave resembling an arch, you will notice the carvings on a smooth wall. These depict various animals and figures. We appreciate their historical significance, so please refrain from touching them.
Map For Wire Pass
Check out this map from AllTrails displaying the hiking route. While generally accurate, some elevation gain details may be slightly off due to mapping errors. Nonetheless, this hike remains mostly flat and manageable.
Upon reaching the junction at the end of Wire Pass, you can explore Buckskin Gulch by continuing north or south in the slot.
Trailhead For Wire Pass
The Wire Pass trailhead is situated in southern Utah, close to the Arizona border.
Here are the GPS coordinates: 37.019527747181534, -112.02474550786049
Click this link to open it in maps for navigation to the parking area, roughly a one-hour drive from Kanab, Utah, or Page, Arizona. Both towns offer excellent accommodations with ample camping and hotel options.
Trailhead Conditions
The final stretch of the drive to the Wire Pass trailhead consists of 8.4 miles (approximately 30 minutes) on a primitive dirt road (House Rock Valley Rd). Despite being an all-dirt road, any vehicle should manage given the road is dry and you proceed cautiously. We observed low clearance vehicles at the trailhead.
However, after rainfall, it’s advisable to have a capable vehicle due to potential road conditions. Additionally, keep in mind that cell service is limited on this road.
When you arrive at the trailhead, you’ll find vault toilets, informational signs, a trail map, and ample parking.
As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, respect fellow hikers, and practice Leave No Trace principles. Thank you, and enjoy your adventures!
Wire Pass Day Use Permits
Starting in 2024, a day use permit will be necessary for hiking the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch trail.
These permits will cost $6 per person or dog, so it’s wise to obtain them ahead of time. There is also a QR scanner at the trailhead for payments, although it may not function effectively.
Permits can be purchased on the Recreation.gov website here, and the process is straightforward.
Slot Canyon Safety Tips
Flash Floods. Always monitor the weather conditions. Avoid entering any slot canyon if rain is forecast, even if it’s distant. Flash flooding poses significant dangers in slot canyons.
Sunscreen. There are numerous sections of the trail exposed to direct sunlight, so carrying sunscreen is advisable. Additionally, wearing a hat can provide protection.
Water. Aim to carry at least 3-4 liters of water per person. In Utah, it’s best to overestimate your hydration needs.
Map. Consider downloading an offline map using an app like Google Maps, allowing you to navigate even when out of cell reception. It’s crucial to avoid getting lost in the desert.
More Things To See Nearby
The Wirepass trail is positioned directly near the Utah/Arizona state border, presenting numerous nearby attractions to explore.
To the west (in Utah), visitors can enjoy Kanab and Zion National Park; to the east (in Arizona), Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon, and a variety of other stunning sites are available.
Additionally, the Red Hollow Slot Canyon is nearby, offering another engaging family-friendly hike free from crowds.
See Also
Thank you for exploring this guide for the Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch slot canyon trail in Utah.
Feel free to delve into the complete Utah Slot Canyon Guide for insights into more amazing slot canyons in Utah!
