Hiking the Buckskin Gulch in Utah

Everyone’s hiking preferences vary. Some prefer a more leisurely stroll with occasional uphill treads, while others opt for an extreme hike involving scaling and scrambling over rough terrain. The Buckskin Gulch encompasses both and more.

Cutting through the Southern Utah desert, the Buckskin Gulch is among the longest, deepest slot canyons in the world, spanning more than 13 miles in length and rarely more than 20 feet wide. The walls are insurmountable, with the exception of one escape hatch at the Middle Route.

Hiking the Gulch is best done as a two-day trip, but can also be done in one long day. This unmatched hiking experience requires more planning and strategic packing than others. For example, 10 of the 21 miles of the Gulch hike are done in or near water, sometimes only at ankle level, sometimes requiring swimming, so water shoes or boots are a must. Scrambling is required in parts of the hike, so shoes with a good grip are also necessary.

Hiking a canyon is a different experience from traditional mountain hiking, but no less aesthetically pleasing. While walking through the Gulch, hikers enjoy the unique sight of the sunlight reflecting off the canyon in captivating ways, illuminating the vibrant reds and oranges of the iconic sandstone walls.

While the hike is beautiful, it is also considered one of the most dangerous due to the high walls, narrow passages and regional flash flooding. Before venturing into the Gulch, it’s important to check the forecast and talk to experienced rangers about the best times of the year to traverse the Gulch. Permits are required for the hike, and it is also recommended you bring a topographical map, as GPS struggles to find coordinates in some of the narrower parts of the Gulch.

For those more experienced hikers looking for something new, exciting and memorable, the Buckskin Gulch offers a distinctive hiking experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world.