Little Wild Horse/Bell Cyns - near Goblin Valley SP 3/8/25

Sample Itinerary:

Carpool - 6:00 am (3-3 1/2 hr drive)

Trailhead - 9:30 am

Hike - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Goblin Valley - 3:30-5:30 pm

Drive Home (dinner on the way) - 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Directions: Little Wild Horse Trailhead, Goblin Valley Area

You go the same way as if going to Goblin Valley. The turn off for the trail is to the right, just before you get to the Goblin Valley Visitor Center. If you end up on a dirt road or at the visitor center, you are at the wrong place. Once you turn off Goblin Valley road, you will be on Wild Horse Road for a few miles and the trail will be on the right. There is no reception for several miles before the trailhead so download the map beforehand or you will lose it.

Activity: 

Hike Little Wild Horse/Bell Canyons - 8.1 mile loop UP Bell Canyon and DOWN Little Wild Horse Canyon. 0.5 miles to bottom of Bell and Little Wild Horse Cyns. Hike 2 miles up Bells Cyn. Turn right on 4WD road and hike up a bit for 2 miles to connect the canyons. Turn right for another 1.5 miles to the top of Little Wild Horse Cyn. Hike 3 miles down Little Wild Horse. There is was a spot where water can form near the top of Little Wild Horse that you need to wade or do some tricky scrambling over. Near the bottom of Little Wild Horse is a section we called "The Wiggles" (see above) where it gets a little narrow and weaves back and forth and is very beautiful. When it has rained recently there are some short sections with small pools of water that can get up to thigh high in the spring. This is a slot canyon, so do not enter if flash floods are possible.

KIDS - just take up bottom of Little Wild Horse to the "wiggles" section and back.

Call Goblin Valley Ranger Station (435) 275-4584 for updated info. All Trails Trip Report

Bathrooms - yes

Cell Phone Reception - no (only at Goblin SP visitors center for a few phone carriers)

Dogs - yes (may need to be carried over pools or some obstacles)

Tips:

On the recon we went up Bell Canyon and down Little Wild Horse, which was nice. It makes the more interesting part at the end when you’re tired and losing steam, and it keeps you going. We have done it starting in Little Wild Horse, which is also fun and gives you a lot of downhill on the second leg of the trek.

Gear: thin T-shirt, thin long-sleeve shirt, fleece, rain jacket, shorts or hiking pants, running shoes, optional - water shoes for possible sections of water, 2-3 L water , 6-8 snacks, small backpack, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, first aid kit