Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon –
This is a great slot canyon to explore and is located about an hour from Springdale, Utah. The canyon itself is located on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land, so it is free to access. There is a big parking lot for several cars and there are bathrooms in the parking lot. But here’s the deal- if you choose to walk to the slot canyon, you will be walking in very deep sand.
If you choose to attempt to drive your own vehicle- you better know what you are doing and have experience driving in sand. We saw several vehicles that were stuck and had to stop and pull one guy out. I would recommend searching the Internet for a tour guide to take you there in a UTV. The company we went with was Razor’s Edge Tours. Our guide was friendly and knowledgeable and we didn’t feel rushed. We also stopped to do some sand surfing!
Getting there: Map from Springdale Google maps says it’s 38 miles and a little over an hour. It is an easy drive and no gravel or anything difficult. You could keep going up the road and explore Kanab, Utah as well.
Highlights:
- Stunning Scenery: The slot canyon itself is a breathtaking sight, with towering sandstone walls and vibrant colors.
- Photographic Opportunities: The unique rock formations and lighting conditions provide excellent opportunities for photography.
- Less Crowded Alternative: Compared to more popular slot canyons like Antelope Canyon, Peek-A-Boo can offer a more peaceful experience, especially if you visit during off-peak times.
Things to Know Before you Go:
- Consider a guided tour – walking to the canyon WILL be difficult and if you don’t know what you’re doing you will get stuck.
- Check Trail Conditions: Before your visit, check current trail conditions and weather forecasts. As with any slot canyon- the potential of a flash flood could be life threatening.
Bryce Canyon National Park –
We did not do any hiking in the park because we did the slot canyon tour and then had to drive back to Springdale. There are several hiking options that I plan to do if/when I get back however. We did the scenic drive and stopped at all the pull offs and grabbed some pictures. This was a really stress free and enjoyable drive. There is also a free shuttle to utilize if you are visiting in peak season.
What I would do: I would park or get off the shuttle near Sunrise Point and I would walk the trail from Sunrise Point to Upper Inspiration Point. That would be about 1.4 miles- then hop on the shuttle and continue to the other stops. If you are driving, you could park near Bryce Canyon Lodge and walk to each of those points so you wouldn’t have as long of a walk back to your car.
How Long is the Drive?
The scenic drive through Bryce Canyon National Park is approximately 18 miles one-way. Depending on traffic and how long you spend at each viewpoint, you can expect to spend 2-3 hours exploring the park.
Must-See Stops Along the Way:
Here are some of the must-see stops along the scenic drive:
- Bryce Point: This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the Bryce Amphitheater, one of the most iconic sights in the park.
- Inspiration Point: This viewpoint offers a stunning view of the hoodoos and the surrounding landscape.
- Sunset Point: As the name suggests, this is a great spot to catch a breathtaking sunset over the canyon.
- Sunrise Point: This viewpoint offers a stunning view of the sunrise over the canyon.
- Farview Point: This viewpoint offers a panoramic view of the entire park.