Wills Creek Slot Canyon

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We got to hike the Willis Creek Slot Canyon as part of our Honeymoon road trip and this was legitimately our favorite part of the whole trip - and we saw 5+ National Parks that trip, so this is really a must-see.

We have always wanted to do a slot canyon but always had problems with booking them as it’s hard to keep a schedule on vacation, but also they typically require guides and are costly - then I discovered Willis Creek. This place was incredible, at your own pace, self-guided and FREE.

This is located just outside Bryce Canyon National Park. We actually stayed at the Bryce Canyon Cabins which is even closer and did this the afternoon after doing Bryce Canyon Park. You will need to put Willis Creek Slot Canyon Trailhead into your GPS and load the WHOLE trip before leaving as you will have zero cell service along BLM road 500. You may also need 4 wheel drive. The road is bumpy and long but very worth it.

At the lot you will see this sign to your left. Once parked you will follow the foot trial for afew minutes until it drops you into the canyon. You will walk a bit CROSSING THE RIVER (it’s shallow sometimes) Until you meet the high walls. The slots will come and go throughout your journey and you’ll pass through about four or five of them until you get to this large rock in the direct middle - this is the end of the slots.

This hike CANNOT be done if it is raining as flashfloods here could be deadly. Also, pack lots of water as there were no fountains on the trail. Judging by the occasional horse poo pile there are trail rides led on this so be mindful, however we did not see any. The best time for this hike would be about 4 hours before sunset so the sun has gone down enough that you are not in direct overhead sun the whole time, making the trip more enjoyable.

Again, this is a slot canyon that is free, guideless and at your own pace, however it does stop and start again a few times and it took us about 2 and a half hours to do the entire thing.