Hike Willis Creek Narrows

Willis Creek Narrows is a stunning slot canyon located in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The canyon showcases narrow, winding passageways carved by the forces of water over millions of years. The canyon's walls consist of beautiful layers of sandstone, with hues ranging from pale yellow to dark black, typical of slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It is also a non-technical slot canyon, thus suitable for all skill levels.

Trailhead elevation 5,977'

Water throughout but not potable

Don't miss the waterfall near 0.5 miles

Hike Willis Creek Narrow

The hike starts at the Willis Creek Narrows Trailhead, situated off BLM500/Skutumpah Road, a dirt road with washboard conditions about 14 miles south of Tropic, Utah. Although no special vehicle is typically needed to access the trailhead, a 4-wheel drive is advisable for those heading out after rain. The parking area at the trailhead can hold around a dozen vehicles. From there, the trail passes through a lightly forested area and reaches Willis Creek after approximately 0.15 miles.

The canyon starts as a gentle wash with wide, open spaces. Willis Creek, named after early settler William Patterson Willis, winds its way through the canyon. Under normal conditions, the stream remains shallow and narrow, usually no more than a few inches deep and a few feet wide. In most areas, hikers can easily step around the creek to keep their feet dry, and no special footwear is required.

Within one third of a mile, the canyon narrows into dramatic slot formations. The walls, composed of smooth sandstone, rise on either side, sometimes only a few feet apart. The sinuous curves and layered rock become reminders of the power of water and erosion over millions of years.

After a brief stretch of slot formations, the canyon widens to a more open area, giving hikers a perfect balance between narrow, dramatic walls and open spaces. These transitions between narrow and open sections are a recurring feature throughout the hike.

In these open areas, hikers may want to take a closer look at the canyon's vibrant floor. A variety of colorful rocks are scattered throughout, enhancing the natural beauty of the landscape.

After hiking through an open area for about 0.2 miles, the trail leads to an 8-foot drop. Hikers can use social trails on either side to descend into the lower part of the canyon.

Once at the bottom, hikers can walk upstream to see a small waterfall cascading over the drop.

At this point, the canyon narrows once more, with the striations in the canyon walls becoming more prominent and strikingly beautiful.

Some of the most stunning striation patterns, resembling the belly of a humpback whale, are found in this section of the canyon.

As the hike continues, the canyon walls shift from golden tones to shades of black and gray. The striation patterns become deeper and thicker, creating some of the most striking views along the trail.

Willis Creek continues to unfold, alternating between open spaces and slot formations, as well as between golden hues and darker shades.

At approximately the 1.4-mile mark, the canyon walls rise dramatically, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow that offers some of the best photo opportunities along the entire hike.

After this spectacular section, the canyon takes a sharp right turn, where its walls reach their highest point. From this point on, the canyon opens up, and the slot formations disappear, making it a popular turnaround spot for many hikers. Those who choose to continue can venture another mile or so, but they will encounter less striking scenery along the way.

No matter how far hikers decide to explore Willis Creek Narrows, they will eventually retrace their steps, experiencing more slot formations on the way back before arriving at the trailhead, completing an unforgettable trek through one of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument's true gems. A special note to AllTrails users: the elevation gain that they use is not correct. The total elevation gain for the entire hike is roughly 150-feet, not 1,200-feet.