Little Wild Horse Canyon | Green River

Little Wild Horse Canyon, located near Goblin Valley State Park in Utah’s San Rafael Swell, is one of the most accessible and photogenic slot canyons in the state. It’s a place where the desert seems to breathe-narrow corridors twist and turn through sculpted sandstone walls that rise hundreds of feet above your head, glowing in shades of gold, coral, and red.

Setting and Character
The trailhead sits just a few miles west of Goblin Valley, at the mouth of a wash that quickly funnels into the canyon. From the very start, the rock walls begin to tighten, forming a labyrinth that alternates between open sandy stretches and deep, sinuous passages barely wide enough for a single person to squeeze through. The sandstone here belongs to the Navajo and Wingate formations, each layered in smooth, swirling patterns that catch the changing light like brushed silk.

The Trail Experience
The full Little Wild Horse–Bell Canyon Loop is about 8 miles round trip, though many visitors choose to hike only partway into Little Wild Horse and turn back once they’ve had their fill of the slots. The first mile is easy, with wide canyon floor and scattered boulders, before the walls begin to close dramatically. At points, you have to turn sideways to pass through, with the stone pressing lightly against your shoulders.

Inside the narrowest sections, the temperature drops, and echoes soften to a whisper. Light bounces from the upper walls in rippled reflections, turning the lower sandstone walls a deep rose. In spring, small pools may linger in the shaded corners, and the scent of damp earth contrasts with the otherwise dry desert air.

As you continue, the canyon opens into wider chambers where sunlight spills in, revealing the soft curves and wave-like formations that make Little Wild Horse so distinctive. Each bend feels like uncovering a secret-the path hidden just long enough to make discovery satisfying.

Adventure and Accessibility
Unlike more technical slot canyons, Little Wild Horse requires no ropes or special gear, making it perfect for families or casual hikers seeking a taste of Utah’s canyon country without the danger of steep descents. Still, hikers must watch for flash flood warnings, as even distant rain can send torrents through these tight passages with little warning.

Nearby Landmarks and Atmosphere
Because it lies near Goblin Valley, many travelers combine both sites in a single day, exploring the surreal goblin formations in the morning and the shaded canyons by afternoon. The two landscapes feel connected-the same Entrada sandstone shaped into vastly different expressions.

As sunset nears, the canyon walls shift in tone-from pale apricot to deep crimson-and the desert quiet settles back in. The only sound might be the scrape of boots on sand or the faint flutter of a raven overhead.

Final Impression
Little Wild Horse Canyon captures the essence of the Utah desert in miniature: beauty born from time, water, and light. It’s both intimate and vast, playful and reverent. Walking through its sculpted corridors feels like tracing the pulse of the landscape itself-one graceful curve at a time.