THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
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.
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.
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.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Open Country Adventures · Cannonville, Utah
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.
This four-hour excursion threads the less-traveled edges of the Grand Staircase–Escalante and the high desert north of Bryce Canyon. Geologically, you’re moving through layers of Cretaceous and Paleogene sandstone — the soft siltstones and harder caps that create the pillars, alcoves and slots that make Southern Utah famous. The area holds traces of human history too: Paiute bands moved through these ravines for generations, and early settlers left faint tracks and ghost trucks that now punctuate the rockscape.
The experience is deliberately compact: about two miles of walking on mostly flat, rocky creek beds and sandy patches, interspersed with short UTV runs along dirt roads and slickrock terraces. Terrain is forgiving but uneven — expect loose stones, shallow pools after rain, and narrow passages where you’ll duck or squeeze. Elevation gain is minimal; the tour uses vehicle access to cover ground, so the hike sections emphasize discovery rather than endurance.
Bring boots with traction; the creek bed favors grippy soles over running shoes. The sun here is active — pack sunscreen and a brimmed hat. Hydrate before you arrive and take advantage of the bottled water provided. If you’re prone to vertigo or have mobility limits, mention it when booking: guides can tailor stops and pacing.
Photography is constant: shoot wide at the creek entrance, then switch to tight frames for the canyon curves and truck-in-the-wall detail. Golden hour throws the hoodoos into relief, but mid-morning offers balanced light inside narrow slots.
Practical details: meet at the trailhead near Cannonville — guides park by the trail’s restrooms and look for the branded Can-Am. The tour is private and customizable; it runs year-round but weather can close slots after storms. Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours. This is an accessible, immersive slice of the Escalante country that rewards curiosity: move slowly in the slots, respect fragile soils, and let the landscape nudge you into quiet observation.
easy.
4 hours.
Suitable for people in average physical condition who can walk on uneven ground for short stretches.
Meet at the agreed trailhead near Cannonville; guides park by the restroom area and display the Can-Am with the operator logo.
Yes—tour is listed as suitable for all fitness levels; guides can adjust pace and hiking distances for families and older guests.
Expect roughly two miles of walking over mostly flat creek beds and sandy patches, broken into short sections between UTV rides.
Yes—the tour is private and guides often tailor stops to group interests; mention preferences when booking or at the start.
Guides cancel if slots are unsafe due to storm or flash-flood risk; full refund is available if canceled 24+ hours in advance per policy.
Service animals are allowed; non-service pets should be confirmed with the operator ahead of time.
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.
Desert soils and cryptobiotic crusts are fragile—stick to durable surfaces, avoid trampling vegetation, and pack out all trash to reduce impact.
Open Country Adventures operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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.
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.
This four-hour excursion threads the less-traveled edges of the Grand Staircase–Escalante and the high desert north of Bryce Canyon. Geologically, you’re moving through layers of Cretaceous and Paleogene sandstone — the soft siltstones and harder caps that create the pillars, alcoves and slots that make Southern Utah famous. The area holds traces of human history too: Paiute bands moved through these ravines for generations, and early settlers left faint tracks and ghost trucks that now punctuate the rockscape.
The experience is deliberately compact: about two miles of walking on mostly flat, rocky creek beds and sandy patches, interspersed with short UTV runs along dirt roads and slickrock terraces. Terrain is forgiving but uneven — expect loose stones, shallow pools after rain, and narrow passages where you’ll duck or squeeze. Elevation gain is minimal; the tour uses vehicle access to cover ground, so the hike sections emphasize discovery rather than endurance.
Bring boots with traction; the creek bed favors grippy soles over running shoes. The sun here is active — pack sunscreen and a brimmed hat. Hydrate before you arrive and take advantage of the bottled water provided. If you’re prone to vertigo or have mobility limits, mention it when booking: guides can tailor stops and pacing.
Photography is constant: shoot wide at the creek entrance, then switch to tight frames for the canyon curves and truck-in-the-wall detail. Golden hour throws the hoodoos into relief, but mid-morning offers balanced light inside narrow slots.
Practical details: meet at the trailhead near Cannonville — guides park by the trail’s restrooms and look for the branded Can-Am. The tour is private and customizable; it runs year-round but weather can close slots after storms. Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours. This is an accessible, immersive slice of the Escalante country that rewards curiosity: move slowly in the slots, respect fragile soils, and let the landscape nudge you into quiet observation.