Utah Slot Canyons & Hoodoos: 4-Hour Willis Creek and Bull Valley Gorge UTV Tour
Difficulty
easy
Duration
4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for people in average physical condition who can walk on uneven ground for short stretches.
Overview
Trade the crowded viewpoints of Bryce for a four-hour backcountry UTV tour through Willis Creek and Bull Valley Gorge. Explore two distinct slot canyons, see a 200-foot drop with a truck imprisoned in sandstone, and walk among hoodoos without the crowds.
Utah Slot Canyons & Hoodoos: 4-Hour Willis Creek and Bull Valley Gorge UTV Tour
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You slide out of the Can-Am, dust still drifting in the wake of the UTV, and the canyon exhales around you — a cool ribbon of shade where sunlight drips across sculpted sandstone. The guide points the way and the group steps into Willis Creek, where water has carved smooth, hourglass curves in walls that close tight enough to feel like a secret. Down the trail, the landscape opens and a 200-foot slot yawned with an old truck wedged into stone, a bizarre, photogenic relic of human misadventure. Hoodoos rise beyond, not as ornaments but as stubborn columns that have refused to fall.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Wear grippy footwear
Opt for hiking boots with good traction—Willis Creek’s creek bed is rocky and can be slippery where water pools.
Bring sun protection
A wide-brim hat and high-SPF sunscreen matter—the open stretches expose you to intense high-desert sun.
Communicate mobility needs
This private tour can be adjusted for slower walkers; tell the operator if you need shorter hikes or more frequent stops.
Watch weather forecasts
Slots flood quickly after storms; if rain is predicted the guide may cancel for safety—check conditions the day before.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Rock wrens and lizards
History
This stretch sits on the northern edge of Grand Staircase–Escalante, an area used seasonally by Southern Paiute people and later mapped by early road-builders and ranchers.
Conservation
Desert soils and cryptobiotic crusts are fragile—stick to durable surfaces, avoid trampling vegetation, and pack out all trash to reduce impact.
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Adventure Hotspots in Tropic, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Hiking boots
Provide traction and ankle support on rocky creek beds and slickrock.
Sun hat and sunscreen
Protects against strong high-desert sun during exposed driving and hiking sections.
summer specific
Hydration system or bottle
Carry at least 1 liter; the tour provides bottled water but you’ll want easy access while hiking.
summer specific
Light wind layer
Mornings and late afternoons can be cool, especially if wind whistles through the canyons.
spring specific