{"id":4482,"date":"2013-10-02T01:32:10","date_gmt":"2013-10-02T01:32:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/?p=4482"},"modified":"2022-09-22T15:49:30","modified_gmt":"2022-09-22T15:49:30","slug":"willis-creek-slot-canyon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.backroadswest.com\/blog\/willis-creek-slot-canyon\/","title":{"rendered":"Willis Creek Slot Canyon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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If you are visiting Bryce Canyon National Park and would like to experience something different, then we recommend visiting delightful Willis Creek Slot Canyon.<\/strong>\u00a0 When you go, you will see first hand how this small creek created a stunning geologic dreamland.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Hiking Willis Creek Slot Canyon is easy. \u00a0Of all the slot canyons that we\u2019ve been to in the Southwest (and there have been dozens), this one, by far, gives you the most bang for your buck. It\u2019s easy to get to and, even though it requires driving on a dirt road, a standard automobile should have no problems. \u00a0And, unlike other slot canyons, you simply walk into it from where you park your car \u2013 no ropes, ladders or rock scrambling.<\/p>

In most slot canyons, photographers are challenged with the high contrast of lighting conditions. \u00a0This is not the case with Willis Canyon. \u00a0Although it\u2019s deep and skinny, the narrow sections are not very long allowing ample light to come in. \u00a0This allows even an amateur to take great pictures.<\/p>

Getting There<\/h3>

Willis Canyon is located 9 miles south of Cannonville, Utah. \u00a0To reach Cannonville from Bryce Canyon (at the junction of Hwy 12 and the road into Bryce), drive east 12 miles (19 km) on Hwy 12, through the town of Tropic, to Cannonville (which is located on the right or south of the highway).\u00a0 If you are coming from the town of Escalante in the east, Cannonville is reached by driving west on Hwy 12 for 34 miles (54 km).<\/p>

Once in the small town of Cannonville, drive a short distance south from Hwy 12 on Main Street and, on the right, stop in at the BLM visitor center. \u00a0Here you can inquire on the road conditions to Willis Canyon and learn about the other places of interest to visit in this area including Kodachrome Basin and Bull Valley Gorge.<\/p>

After stopping at the visitor center, continue south on Main Street which turns into the main road to Kodachrome Basin. \u00a0After about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) from Canonville, turn right onto a well-maintained dirt road which leads off to the southwest. \u00a0Continue on this road for a little over 6 miles (10 km). \u00a0At about 5.5 miles (8.8 km), the road will descend into a wide canyon. \u00a0At the bottom and before crossing the creek, look for a small parking area on the right which also doubles as a small campground. \u00a0Park your vehicle here.<\/p>

The Hike<\/h3>

The best part of Willis Creek\u2019s narrows are seen while walking one mile downstream from the parking area. After the first canyon confluence, the canyon becomes bigger and less narrow. Although there are no more narrows after a mile, it\u2019s still very scenic for a few more miles. If you\u2019re only interested in seeing the narrows, it\u2019s an easy two mile, one-way hike.<\/p>

From the parking area, enter the small creek from the road crossing. \u00a0Hike down-canyon (east) along the right side of the creek to go around a short waterfall. \u00a0Soon, you will need to step down into the shallow canyon which is no more than 3-4 feet (1 meter) deep at this point. \u00a0There\u2019s also a bypass trail that you can use to hike around this obstacle. \u00a0It is found about 40 feet (20 m) north of where the road crosses the creek.<\/p>

More…<\/p>

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Pictures<\/h3>

Below are some pictures of what you will see along the way.<\/p> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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