What are Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons?
Peek-a-Boo and Spooky are two slot canyons within the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and two of the best slot canyons in Escalante, Utah. What’s more, they’re right next to each other, so you can explore both on the same hike.
The main differences between the two are that Spooky is extremely narrow—at one point reaching 10 inches (25 cm)—and more difficult, since you have to navigate obstacles such as large boulders wedged into the rock. Peek-a-Boo, on the other hand, is easier to navigate but more winding and features more beautiful colors, although you have to scramble several meters to reach it.
Practical Information About the Hike
We've compiled the details of the hike to Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon for you:
- Distance: 3.2 miles (5.2 km)
- Duration: 3–4 hours
- Difficulty: High
- Elevation gain: 236 feet (72 m)
- Route type: Loop
- Best time to visit: Spring and fall
- 4x4: No
- Experience required: Recommended
How to Get to Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon
To get to Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons from Escalante, take Scenic Byway 12 toward Boulder for 5 miles (8 km), turn right, and drive along Hole-in-the-Rock Road for 25 miles (40 km) until you reach the Upper Dry Fork Trailhead Parking Lot, where you should park and begin the trail. The last 25 miles (40 km) are unpaved, but the road is usually in good condition, so you can drive it in a regular car.
In the parking lot itself, you'll see a sign that reads:⚠️WARNING. Spooky Slot Canyon Extremely Narrow. It's simply a mold you can stand next to to see if you're fit to venture through Spooky Canyon, since it indicates the width of its narrowest point. If you can’t fit through it, don’t venture into this canyon, as you could get stuck.
From this point, you’ll need to cross the road and take the Upper Dry Fork Trail, a 1.6 miles (2.6 km) trail that runs through a usually dry creek bed and serves as a good introduction to what lies ahead. Along part of the route, in the section called Dry Fork Narrows, the canyon tightens and its red walls wind their way until you reach the start of Pook-a-Boo. Keep in mind that, as happened to us, the water can be knee-deep in the narrowest part of the canyon.
The stream gradually widens until it reaches the confluence of the Dry Fork with the Peek-a-Boo and the Spooky, where the riverbed is very wide. Here you’ll need to decide which canyon to start the route in, but we recommend doing it clockwise—first the Peek-a-Boo, then the Spooky. Don’t make the same mistake we did—we didn’t realize it until we were already inside the Spooky and ran into people coming toward us!😅
What is the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon trail like?
The first challenge posed by Peek-a-Boo is getting to it if you want to hike the trail in the recommended direction, since you’ll have to scramble a rock wall about 20 feet (6 m) high, using your hands and feet for support and small steps carved into the rock. In our opinion, this is the most difficult obstacle on the trail.
Inside the cave, very close to the entrance, there's a beautiful spot where erosion has created arches in the sandstone—don't miss the chance to take a photo there!
As you make your way deeper into the canyon, you'll come across some obstacles, and there may even be water if it has rained recently.
And finally, you'll reach the most beautiful part for us, where the water has eroded the canyon into a zigzag shape and its walls come in various shades, depending on the rock sediment or whether desert varnish has formed, creating a stunning postcard-perfect scene.
Overall, we didn’t find Peek-a-Boo to be a particularly difficult canyon; it’s not as narrow as its neighbor, Spooky, and larger people can pass between its walls without any trouble. There is one section where you’ll have to scramble, since the stream has created a small waterfall there, but it’s nothing you can’t handle if you’re in reasonably good shape. As we’ve already mentioned, its biggest obstacle is at the entrance.
What is the Spooky Slot Canyon trail like?
If you've already completed Peek-a-Boo and plan to do Spooky as well, once you finish the canyon, head to the right, where a path will lead you to the upper part of the canyon. The first section of the Spooky has several obstacles to navigate, ranging from small arches and rocks wedged between the walls that will force you to crawl, to waterfalls you’ll have to slide down.
Once you finish this first obstacle zone, you’ll come to the section that makes this canyon famous: its extremely narrow gorge—up to 10 inches (25 cm) wide—between sandstone walls. In this section, you’ll need to take off your backpack and contort your body to make your way through it. Although it’s only a few meters long, it’ll take you quite a while to get through, and it’s the most fun part of the entire hike. Be sure to take lots of photos!
Before you finish, you’ll have to navigate around a few more rocks wedged between the walls, but there’s enough clearance from the ground to get through without having to crawl, and you’ll finally reach the intersection with the Dry Fork.
To return to the parking lot, you can take the Dry Fork Narrows again or the Rim Trail, a parallel path that runs along the outside of the canyon, where there is no water, and the distance is the same.
Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon + Spooky Slot Canyon Loop Hike
Although the Spooky is the more famous of the two canyons because of its narrow gorge, we recommend that you explore both for several reasons.
On the one hand, they’re very close to each other, and their interiors are completely different, so you’ll see different rock formations. On the other hand, to get back to the parking lot, you’ll have to take either the Dry Fork Narrows or the Rim Trail, which means you’ll either descend the Spooky again or take the loop trail that includes both, starting with the Peek-a-Boo.
How difficult are Peek-a-Boo and Spooky?
Although these aren't technical canyons where you need climbing gear like ropes or canyoning skills—since you won't have to rappel and you can get past obstacles by using your hands and feet to scramble —the trail itself is quite challenging.
The main reason is that you'll have to scramble, squeeze through crevices up to 10 inches (25 cm) wide, overcome obstacles, slide, find your way through arid areas, or wade through puddles if it has rained recently. Plus, if you do it in the summer, you'll have to deal with the heat and sun in the area.
Can you play Spooky Slot Canyon and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon with kids?
Although this isn't the most recommended trail to hike with children near Escalante (you're better off checking out Willis Creek Slot Canyon), if your children are used to hiking, aren't afraid of dark, narrow spaces, and enjoy scrambling, they could hike it with an adult's help. In any case, you must exercise extreme caution, as the rock is slippery—especially when wet—and any fall could result in a serious injury.
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Can you play Spooky Slot Canyon and Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon without any experience?
Although it’s not recommended that you attempt this trail without prior hiking experience or rock-climbing experience, it is possible as long as you’re in reasonably good shape and/or are accompanied by someone with experience or a professional guide. If you’d prefer a guided hike, we recommend this guided tour to Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons, which includes transportation from Escalante.
Tips for Visiting Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon
- 🌄 In the summer, try to avoid hiking during the middle of the day; it's better to go first thing in the morning or in the afternoon.
- ⛈️ Check the flood risk on this website, as afternoon thunderstorms are common in the summer, turning the canyons into death traps.
- 🗺️ Make sure to download a map of the area onto your cell phone; some trails aren't well marked, and there isn't good cell service inside the park.
- 🧢 Don't forget your hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen—the sun is very strong in the summer, and there's little shade along the trails leading to the canyons.
- 🎒 Bring a small backpack, since you'll have to take it off to cross the Spooky, and it'll be more comfortable that way.
- 💧 Bring plenty of water if you're going to do this in the summer—at least 2 liters per person.
- 🥪 Pack some snacks in case you get hungry or need to recharge.
- 🥾 Choose comfortable shoes with good traction that can get wet—you may find water inside the canyons.
- ℹ️ Visit the Escalante Interagency Visitor Center, where you can get advice and information on the condition of the canyons, access routes, and the weather.
- ❓ Consider your own skills and physical condition, as well as those of your companions, before deciding to take this route.
- 💪🏻 If you're a larger person, you might not be able to do the Spooky—check it out in the parking lot; there's a mold that simulates the width of the canyon.
Are Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon worth visiting?
In our opinion, exploring the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky slot canyons is well worth it, as navigating the colorful, winding walls of both canyons is a unique experience. Here you’ll enjoy unique places created by nature that are also rarely visited—unlike Antelope Canyon near Page, which is extremely popular and also requires an admission fee.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon
How long is the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch trail?
The combined route can take between 3 and 4 hours, although the duration can vary considerably depending on your pace, the number of stops, and the time it takes you to navigate the various obstacles in the canyons.
How many kilometers long is the Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch trail?
The entire loop is approximately 3.2 miles (5.2 km) long.
How difficult are Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch?
This route is rated as difficult. Although it does not require canyoning skills or equipment, you will have to navigate steep slopes, scramble over rocks, and pass through extremely narrow sections, especially in Spooky.
Which is harder, Peek-a-Boo or Spooky?
Spooky is harder than Peek-a-Boo, because while the latter has a steep climb at the start where you have to scramble using your hands and feet, Spooky has more obstacles to navigate and a very narrow section that can make it difficult—or even impossible—for larger people or those with claustrophobia to get through.
Can you play Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch without any experience?
Yes, you don't need prior canyoning experience to complete the route under normal conditions. However, it's important to have hiking experience and to feel comfortable scrambling and navigating very narrow passages. If you have any doubts about your ability to overcome any of the obstacles, it's best not to continue.
Is Spooky Gulch suitable for people with claustrophobia?
No. Some sections of Spooky Slot Canyon are extremely narrow, and you'll have to move sideways between the canyon walls. If you're claustrophobic, it's best to choose another slot canyon in the area.
We hope this post helps you prepare for your Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Slot Canyon hike!
