A compact, high-reward loop through Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch in Dry Fork — tight slots, short scrambles, and dramatic sandstone sculpting. Perfect for hikers with a moderate fitness level who want an iconic Southern Utah slot-canyon experience.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the sandy wash and the world pinches inward: red and purple walls close to shoulder-width, light slicing down in ribbons, and the air cooling where sunlight can't reach. The Dry Fork loop that links Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch is a compact lesson in what Southern Utah does best—tight, technical slots punctuated by sudden open bowls and sculpted arches.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Moderately fit: able to hike ~5 miles with uneven terrain, brief scrambling, and some tight squeezes.
Wildlife
History
Dry Fork sits within the broader Grand Staircase–Escalante landscape, a region historically traveled by Native American groups and later explored by surveyors during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Conservation
The sandstone is fragile—stay off varnished rock and avoid widening existing cracks; avoid entering slots when wet and pack out all trash to minimize impact.
Reserve your spot on the Peekaboo, Spooky and Dry Fork Slot Canyon Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start early to avoid heat and crowds
Begin at first light to get cooler temperatures, softer light for photos, and fewer people in the narrows.
Watch the weather — flash flood risk
If rain is forecast anywhere upstream, skip the slot canyons; water funnels into slots fast and without warning.
Wear shoes with sticky rubber
Slick rock, sand, and short scrambles demand grippy trail or approach shoes rather than casual sneakers.
Bring at least 2–3 liters of water
Guides supply some water, but the desert sun and physical scrambling require extra hydration.
Approach or trail shoes with sticky rubber
Grip and ankle support for slick sandstone and short scrambles.
Hydration pack or 2–3 L water bottles
Sustains you through desert heat and active scrambling.
summer
Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen)
Exposed washes and trail sections have little shade.
summer
Light gloves or knee pads
Protect hands and knees when squeezing or low-crawling through narrow sections.