Introduction:
What? :
Peek-A-Boo,
also commonly known as Red Canyon, is an easy, short hike (0.7 miles round
trip) into a nice short slot canyons near Kanab, Utah.
The orange-red
sandstone walls closeup on you from above as you walk in the winding narrow
canyon.
In order to get
to the slot canyon, you need to drive 3.5 miles over deep sand dune road so it
is possible only for high clearance 4x4 car.
Where? :
The 4x4 sand trail
start at large staging area just off highway 89 north of Kanab, Utah.
The staging
area is located 8.5 miles north of Kanab, Utah on the right side (east) of highway
89 when heading north.
The staging
area is 8.7 miles south of Mt. Carmel Junction.
Google Map Link
When? :
The trail is
open year-round.
The preferred time
to visit here is during the winter, early spring and later fall.
Summer is very
hot. Assume you will use 4x4 car to reach the canyon itself than the hike in
the slot canyon is relatively short and has shade it is not so bad.
During summer
month the dry deep sand is more challenging for driving.
Due note 1:
This area is
inside BLM land and do not have any fee involved.
Due note 2:
You can find
restrooms at the staging area.
There is some
cell reception in this area, not inside the canyon.
In any case download
a map of this drive to your phone prior arriving here.
Due note 3:
You MUST have 4x4
high clearance car for this drive. The sand dunes are deep sand and AWD car
will probably not make it.
This is very
popular drive for ATVs and UTVs so drive carefully.
Due note 4:
This is a slot
canyon, never hike here when it heavily rain and that you can have flashflood
danger.
Due note 5:
Dogs are
welcome on the trail, but they must be on a leash.
Due note 6:
Do not confuse
this slot canyon name, Red Canyon, as locals call it Peek-a-boo with similar
hies like Peek-a-Boo narrow slot canyon found in the Escalante area or with Brice
Canyon National Park Peek-a-Boo hike.
This slot canyon
should not be confused with the Red Canyon state park on Highway 12 near Bryce
Canyon.
Due note 7:
This is a very
easy walk, no need for any scrambling or rock climbing.
Due note 8:
If you do not
have 4x4 car there are many tours companies in Kanab, Utah that can take you
here. You can also rent a Jeep or ATV in the many rental options in Kanab.
Due note 9:
As for any offroad
sand dune drive I do recommend to air down your tire and to use 4x4 high.
Cary with you
basic offroad recovery gear like 2 x good traction boards, Kinetic recovery
rope, 2 x soft shackle, good shovel, car jack, and air compressor to inflate
back the tire when you are done.
Due note 10:
Is not the only
attraction in this area. Nearby you can find many sandy offroad trails good for
Jeep or ATV, another nearby place to visit is Great Chamber dune.
Due note 11:
Some people
that do not have 4x4 car are hiking to the canyon start. You can hike following
the dune “road” or have a shortcut. This is not so “fun” hike in the sand and
in summer month it can be very hot.
My thoughts:
The canyon is
similar to many other red-rock canyons you can find in Arizona and Utah. It is
fun short hike with relatively easy accessibility (if you have a 4x4 car) and
you do not need to pay entrance fees.
This is not in
the same level of beauty of the most famous Antelope canyons near Page, Arizona
but it has it charm.
The off-roading
dune drive to the canyon is fan and not so long.
This is a known
location for “locals”, you will probably see other visitor here or along the drive,
but it will probably not be crowded. When we visit here there was a group of
tour photographers getting out and we had the canyon to ourselves.
The visit:
The start of
the Peek-A-Boo 4x4 drive is at large, graveled staging area.
Here you can
see BLM route 102, white tower trail.
Follow route
102 in the deep sand dunes, the trail fork and rejoin many times but you can
clearly see were to driver. On the side of the sand road the desert dune
landscape is covered with small junipers tress as pinyon pine and yuccas plants.
After a short northeast
climb the trail start to gradually descend in the same direction, after about 2
miles the sand trail start heading north.
After about
additional 0.7 mile you will reach the dry wash.
The main trail
cross the riverbed, but you need to get into the wash upstream (left).
Follow the
riverbed, BLM route 106H, with an easy drive for about 0.8 mile until the end
of the trail at the canyon opening.
Overall, this
drive will be about 3.5 miles long, about 15 minutes’ drive.
From the “parking”
the slot canyon walk starts.
The canyon walk
less than half mile long into the canyon.
The canyon is
narrow in some section and then it is open with a sand slide on your right,
keep walking in the canyon.
After short walk the canyon narrow again into a slot canyon.
you may pass underneath large wood that are stuck in the narrow canyon above you.
and after short walk you will climb a small boulder and soon after you will reach a steep
waterfall that is the end of your hike in the canyon.
You need to
walk back to your car at the canyon opening.
To exit, return
the same way as you drove in.
Additional Pictures:
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