Hiking Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch - largest slot canyon in the world

Getting there: On this trip we left from Kanab and came in from the west on highway 89. As you are entering a fairly large turn, you will turn right onto house valley rock road. This is a hit or miss road depending on the weather. We were fortunate and had good weather and good road conditions, and traveled the 8 miles south to the Wire Pass trailhead. This road can be impassable when wet or thawing. We didn’t have any trouble in our 4 wheel drive jeep. I would caution for you to use a high clearance vehicle due to rocks and dips in the road that could cause some significant damage to a vehicle. The ruts in the road after a rain could be several feet deep!

Once at the trailhead you’ll need an activity pass to park and hike the wire pass trail to the slot canyon and also to buckskin gulch. The pass can be purchased at the trailhead but you will need cell phone service. If you know you are going, you can purchase this through the recreation.gov app for $6 per person and per dog. Before you depart on your hike, be mindful this is also the trailhead for access to the famous wave. You are required to have a permit for that hike and is like winning the lottery. Make sure to stay on the wire pass trail. Bring a camera, water, and some snacks and enjoy this beautiful wonder. Very few people venture into this canyon compared to other popular ones nearby such as Antelope canyon. I would recommend that you also have. Downloaded map of the area. It is not a requirement but can be a life saver to navigate if needed. Once you are ready to go, you will head across the street and follow the directional signs. As you head down into the wire pass slot canyon about .8 miles from the trailhead you will see a side trail off to the right and a sign directing you that way, this is where you stay left. I know I know, the signs says right. This was placed here when the ladder section of the slot was washed away. It has since been replaced and is well worth the experience if you are physically able to take the left. Once you travel through this awesome slot you will pop out into buckskin gulch .25 miles later. As you enter buckskin gulch, you will see a massive wall open up with petroglyphs located on them on both sides. Please remember to be respectful and to not touch or deface these like some have. Once you enter buckskin gulch you can explore in either direction. We opted to go both ways about a .5 mile in each direction and it was totally worth it to see how deep the canyon can get as it travels south. Buckskin gulch is the largest and longest slot canyon in the US and perhaps the world so you will have plenty to explore!

This has been one of my most favorite slot canyons to explore in Utah. You will not find the crowds here nor be rushed.