Buckskin Gulch Day Hike: World's Longest Slot Canyon
5.0
30 Ratings
Kanab
Experience the world's longest slot canyon, Buckskin Gulch, in southern Utah. Explore the remote and beautiful Navajo sandstone, bypassing the crowds of other popular canyons. This physically demanding hike offers a thrilling adventure for those with an adventurous spirit.
Duration: 10 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Buckskin Gulch - Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the world, slicing through the beautiful Navajo sandstone in southern Utah. Enjoy an intimate, private adventure in an incredible slot canyon without the mass of crowds that are encountered at Zions or Antelope Canyon. We’ll be dropping into the very middle of this remote canyon, bypassing a long hike at the beginning, and exploring the labyrinth at a leisurely pace all to ourselves.
What's Included
  • First aid equipment
  • Wilderness First Responder Certified Guide
  • Hiking stick
  • Snacks
  • Lunch
Additional Information

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN A VAST, SECLUDED SLOT CANYON. Buckskin Gulch holds the title for the world’s longest slot canyon, majestically carved into the striking Navajo sandstone of southern Utah. Embark on an exclusive journey in an awe-inspiring slot canyon, devoid of the multitude of tourists common to places like Zions or Antelope Canyon. We’ll be venturing right into the heart of this isolated canyon, skirting the lengthy initial hike and navigating the serpentine maze at our own pace, in solitude.

This hiking trip is not suitable for those with severe acrophobia and involves a challenging Class 3 scramble into the slot (hand support will be required). It mandates a rigorous trek of at least 4 miles and could extend to 10 miles. Recent rainfall may necessitate trekking through mud and tiptoeing through standing water. The conditions in the slot canyon are in constant transition, so maintaining a spirit of adventure and positivity is crucial. Permission to enter the canyon is strictly granted only when there is no threat of flash floods.

  • Not recommended for those with a strong fear of heights
Location
Paria Contact Station
Long Valley Road
South side of Highway 89
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(30 Ratings)
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Jing_d
Mar 27, 2024
One of my best hiking experience - It’s one of the best day hike I have done. I have done many many best day hikes in USA, even though this one is not on the list, it should be. It challenges me both mentally and physically, mostly because the climbing involved in this middle rout to hike Buckskin Gulch. It’s definitely class 4 climbing, but my guide, Tom, is spectacular in guiding me through this tough section. Tom is amazingly knowledgeable and pleasant. I enjoyed this hike tremendously. I don’t think you should try this yourself without a guide unless you are an experienced climber. It’s too risky
Review provided by Viator
Vincefeingold
Dec 10, 2023
Whole day in Buckskin Gulch by Dreamland Safari Tours - My wife and I took a tour provided by Dreamland Safari Tours in Buckskin Gulch. We are seniors and were looking for something commensurable with our age, yet fun and some challenge. The tour exceeded our expectations. Our guide, Jen (Janet Roberts) was excellent. She took us to the Wire Pass, and not to the beginning of the Buckskin Gulch as signs showed, saving us about 14 miles of boring hike in a wash. Without the guide we would have been lost, as we saw quite a few parties that needed Jen's help finding their way. Road to the wide pass is not paved and generally passable by an average SUV, but it is clay, so it is very slippery when even slightly wet, and quite bumpy. Navigating it needs experience and I suggest using a guide. Wire pass requires a bit of scramble, but Jen was excellent in showing us how to navigate the drops and boulders obstructing the way. In one place with especially high drop there is new ladder installed, so no more rope or bypass requiring mount goat skills (although Jen competently led us over the cliffs - the ladder is so new, it was installed just a couple of days before our hike). Jen was excellent in managing time, showing us the way, and points of interest along it. And I can honestly say that we would not have competed the hike without her, as the obstacles in the canyon looked pretty serious; we would have just turned back and did not get to see the splendor of the Gulch. It is as spectacular as you can read in all other reviews. The pictures are breathtaking, tall vertical walls on the sides of the narrow pathway. It is quite dangerous to hike there, as the water during flash floods comes up high, carries enormous boulders (as we saw them deposited on the floor), and there is absolutely nowhere to hide if you get caught. But guides monitor the weather conditions and take you there only if there no danger whatsoever. Jen told us quite few stories about rescues, and she carries with her a satellite phone (there is no cellular reception anywhere there) and first aid kit. The tour is totally worth it, and we got so many memories out of it. Dreamland provided great service, no hiccups whatsoever, and our guide Jen gave us great experience accompanied with very interesting stories. Overall, we highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Numimasforroll
Oct 18, 2023
Canyon walk - It was a great alternative to antelope canyon, it's free, it's desolate, its very pretty. Just one drawback I did see a snake but that is to be expected in the wilderness.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marycq3299iw
May 12, 2023
Highlight of our trip - My husband (50) and I (40) did the Buckskin Gulch Day Hike with Todd. On May 4th. We did a lot of adventure activities on this trip, and this was hands down our favorite one! We hiked with only two other hikers, and the whole day was very relaxed. I was a little scared climbing down the rock face, but Todd made me feel at ease, and told me every move to make. I had never done anything remotely like that before, and it was not as bad as I made it out to be in my mind. We had a great lunch, lots of picture opportunities, and a nice stroll through the slot canyon. We saw only two other people besides our group. The hike out is the only part i would really say is strenuous. It’s hot and sandy and uphill. You don’t have to be in tip top shape to do this hike, but I wouldn’recommend it for minimally active people. So thankful for Todd and his excellent communication, calm demeanor, and easy going nature. Would recommend this to anyone who is physically able. I think we will be back to do the whole hike! Kevin and Mary Colorado Springs
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin_q
Apr 11, 2023
Tate and Robin take on the Gulch! - My son Tate and I absolutely loved this hike. It was challenging (probably more for me than my 13 year old) but our tour guide Tom was great. There was laughter, smiles and overall fun. Tom's passion about the environment, the history and the hike itself was evident every step of the way. You will not only get a great workout, you will also learn in the process. The views were spectacular as well. It was a magical experience and I urge everyone contemplating this hike to do it! This hike will forever be etched into our memories.
Review provided by Viator
1120ralph
May 27, 2022
This is an AMAZING experience far from the maddening crowds! - We booked this guided hike even though we are experienced hikers who would rarely consider needing a guide and we were so happy we had Tom to guide us. We were the only 2 people in the group (and we only saw 8 other people during the entire hike). Tom knew just how much to talk to us to provide geological, nature and historical information while making sure we didn't miss a good viewing point; while allowing time for quiet reflection on the amazing wonders we experienced. He brought a wonderful lunch spread which we shared on a rock in the gulch. I was a little worried about the downclimb into the middle of the gulch, due to a fear of heights. Turns out that it's tiered, so that you never look straight down more than about 20 feet, so my fears were not triggered. The climb up was a little tricky for my short legs, but Tom was there to help. We are still talking about this to everyone who will listen! BEST DECISION OF THE TRIP - to book this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Noelle_c
May 4, 2022
Beautiful, solitude, and great guide - Absolutely amazing! Wagner was a great guide and full of knowledge. We had the entire hike to ourselves, which was so peaceful and humbling. I recommend this hike, and will probably do it again next time I’m in the area!
Review provided by Viator
Michellecogan
Mar 31, 2022
Tremendous experience! - This was an amazing trip and the highlight of our vacation. Tom was a fantastic guide. Very knowledgeable about the area and the hike itself. It is a challenging hike getting down into the gulch but once we were in it we did not see another person all day!
Review provided by Viator
Vgmarks
Jan 27, 2022
AMAZING solo Buckskin Gulch experience! - One of the coolest adventures I’ve ever done! I finally stumbled upon Backcountry Found after calling multiple companies in the area and none of them were running Buckskin hikes due to slow season. There were no groups going out I could join, and the other companies were quoting me an insane price to go solo. I wrote to Backcountry Found and they said it would be no problem to take me by myself at their standard price, which was very reasonable compared to other companies as well! They were great to communicate with and my guide Wagner called me the night before to go over all details. I’m pretty confident in my athletic abilities, but am not a super experienced hiker. I was legitimately nervous about the rock scramble, but after reading other reviews I felt like I could do it. Wagner is probably one of the best guides I’ve ever had. His manner put me very at ease when tackling the scramble into the canyon, and he showed me handhold by handhold and foothold by foothold exactly how to execute each step to get me to the bottom safely. He really seems to be an expert hiker, especially in this area, and knows Buckskin Gulch inside and out. I felt extremely safe with him guiding me. A super cool part of the rock scramble is that the Middle Route is actually marked by ancient footholds created by indigenous people and petroglyphs guiding you down into the canyon, so you are literally following in the footsteps of the canyon’s ancestors who executed the same route time and time again over the years. So much cooler than simply hiking into the canyon! I would say that as long as you don’t have major mobility issues, have good shoes with tread, and you follow Wagner’s directions, you will be fine on this part of the hike. Successfully executing the scramble will give you such a huge sense of accomplishment! I would highly recommend Backcountry Found because of this amazing guided experience. Yes, you can do Buckskin on your own, but the usual trafficked routes lead you into huge puddles of mud and water where most people have to abandon the hike and don’t see much. This was an amazing full day adventure; the rock scramble Middle Route drops you off right in the middle of the canyon so you see the best (and driest) parts to hike and as much of the muddier, but photogenic, first section of the canyon as you wish to explore. Since the groups are so small, or private, you can really do as much or little as you want to do and completely customize your experience. Wagner did an amazing job at teaching me about geologic formations and the cultural history of the area; we saw so many cool petroglyphs and ancient artifacts that I would never, ever have noticed myself! He also has a lot of photography experience and took some great shots of me, and I was able to get some cool photos of the canyon myself. I would definitely not have appreciated this hike so much if I had simply gone myself on the standard route. In addition, this route is extremely infrequently trafficked; we only saw 2 other people on the trail and absolutely no one in the canyon the whole day. It is such a must do for nature and adventure lovers. I would absolutely love to hike with Backcountry Found again and you should as well! Ask for Wagner as your guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karolina
Sep 17, 2021
Insanely gorgeous hike - Best hike ever. My guide Wagner was amazing, he made me feel at ease and knew what he was going to T. Highly recommend, the most incredible hike ever!
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May 2024
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