Big Horn Canyon

Hike into a sliver of sherbet-colored slickrock in Utah’s Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Trail description

The hike down Big Horn Canyon is as straightforward as it gets: make your way downcanyon to its confluence with Harris Wash, then return the way you came.

From the parking area, head south along a well-trodden trail. Pass a small rock outcrop on the right, and keep slogging along the sandy wash. Around 0.6 mile, you reach a dry fall. If the steep slickrock ramp intimidates you, there’s a route to the left that descends a gully instead.

Keep heading downstream, enjoying wonderful narrows. In places, you can choose to walk along the bottom of the wash through low slots, or you can walk on the benchlands above. It’s about 3.9 miles to Harris Wash. Simply turn around sooner for a shorter hike.

Directions

From Escalante, head east on Hwy 12 for about 10 miles. Turn right onto Spencer Flat (Old Sheffield) Road, cross a cattle guard, and continue for 2.8 miles. There’s a pull-off on the right with space for 3-4 vehicles.