Peekaboo & Spooky Slot Canyons: How to Hike Utah’s Famous Loop (Maps + Tips)
Few hikes in Utah deliver as much pure fun as the Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyon loop in Grand Staircase–Escalante. These two sandstone slots twist, squeeze, curve, and climb through some of the most playful terrain in the desert. If you’re looking for an adventure that mixes challenge with unforgettable beauty, this is one of the best trail experiences in the entire Southwest.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to hike the loop confidently — driving directions, maps, what the obstacles look like, when to go, what to bring, and our personal takeaways from completing both slot canyons in the same day.
Where Are Peekaboo & Spooky Slot Canyons?
Peekaboo and Spooky are located within Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, accessed from the Dry Fork Trailhead along Hole-in-the-Rock Road, about 26 miles south of Highway 12 in Escalante, Utah.
This area is remote, rugged, stunningly scenic, and absolutely worth the effort to reach. You’ll be surrounded by wide-open desert views before dropping into one of the tightest and most photogenic slot canyon systems in Utah.
How to Get to the Trailhead (Road + Conditions)
From downtown Escalante:
- Drive east on Highway 12.
- Turn right onto Hole-in-the-Rock Road (dirt/gravel).
- Follow it for ~26 miles to the signed Dry Fork Trailhead turnoff.
Hole-in-the-Rock Road is notoriously washboarded — sometimes mild, sometimes rough enough to rattle your teeth. High clearance is beneficial, but in dry conditions many visitors make it in regular SUVs. After rain, the road becomes deeply rutted and muddy, and 4WD may be necessary.
On a prior trip to Escalante, we learned that Hole-in-the-Rock Road was not a good match for our Sprinter, Alice. Rather than risk damage or spend hours crawling along at a few miles per hour, we made the decision to rent a Jeep Gladiator for the day. It gave us the freedom to explore the road comfortably, and honestly, it made the adventure even more enjoyable.
Peekaboo & Spooky Slot Canyon Map
📍 View Upper Dry Fork Trailhead on Google Maps
Do You Need a Permit?
No, you do not need a permit to hike Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons.
Entry is free, parking is free, and there are no timed-entry systems.
That said, rangers occasionally monitor conditions at the trailhead and may advise against entering during storms or high runoff. Flash floods are extremely dangerous here — always check the forecast.
Hiking the Loop – Best Direction
Most hikers complete the loop Peekaboo → Connection Route → Spooky, and this direction is recommended:
- Peekaboo requires climbing up its entrance chute, which is easier from the bottom.
- Spooky is so narrow in places that climbing upward through obstacles would be much harder. Descending them is smoother and safer.
This order gives you a fun warm-up in Peekaboo before entering the tightest sections inside Spooky.
The Approach via Dry Fork Trail
Before reaching Peekaboo, you’ll enjoy a pleasant, open stretch along the Dry Fork Trail. This section winds gently through desert washes and low sandstone formations, offering great views and a relaxing start before the technical slot canyon fun begins.
If you brought a larger camera, this is the place to use it. The landscape is spacious enough for photography without the risk of scraping expensive gear against canyon walls. Once you enter Peekaboo, you’ll want both hands free.
Before entering the slot canyons, I slipped into a mud hole along the dry wash, which explains the not-so-clean clothes in the photos and video below. It was a good reminder that incidents can happen when hiking and the importance of being prepared for the unexpected as much as possible.
After my mud adventure, I cleaned up as best I could and we continued on.
Peekaboo Slot Canyon – What to Expect
Peekaboo greets you with its iconic entry chute, a short but steep climb into the canyon. It looks intimidating, but with good footing and a little scrambling, it’s manageable for most hikers.
Inside, Peekaboo is joyful — wide curves, sandy floors, and playful sandstone “windows” create one of the most photogenic slot sections in Utah. Expect:
- A few moderate up-and-down climbs
- Rounded walls that glow beautifully in soft light
- Sections where you’ll use your hands to navigate ledge
This short clip shows the type of movement required inside Peekaboo Slot Canyon.
Transition Between the Slots
After exiting Peekaboo, follow cairns and a well-worn path across slickrock and sand. The connection route is easy to follow and drops you to the entrance of Spooky in about 10 minutes.
Spooky Slot Canyon – What to Expect
Spooky is where things get exciting. As one of the narrowest easily accessible slot canyons in Utah, Spooky lives up to its name with tight walls, twisting corridors, and dimly lit passageways that wind deeper into the rock.
Inside Spooky, expect:
- Extremely narrow sections, some as tight as ~10 inches
- A few downclimbs where you’ll pass your pack ahead of you
- Shadowed bends with dramatic light patterns
- A short boulder obstacle requiring coordinated moves
This short clip shows the narrowest sections of Spooky Slot Canyon and the type of movement required to work your way out.
Peekaboo is wider but still involves climbing, squeezing, and using both hands. Managing a DSLR or mirrorless camera here becomes awkward and risky. Capture big-camera photos on the Dry Fork approach trail, then switch to a phone or compact action camera for the slot canyons themselves.
How Long Does the Loop Take?
Most hikers complete the loop in 2.5–4 hours depending on fitness level, crowding inside the slots, and comfort navigating obstacles.
We found this estimate accurate — Peekaboo is slower due to climbing, and Spooky can be stop-and-go depending on how many people are working through the narrowest points.
Is the Peekaboo–Spooky Loop Safe?
For most hikers, yes — as long as you follow a few basic safety guidelines:
- Avoid entering if storms are forecasted anywhere in the region
- Wear shoes with good traction for climbing in Peekaboo
- Be comfortable squeezing through tight spaces
- Do not bring dogs (not allowed + unsafe)
- Bring more water than you think you’ll need
Those with claustrophobia may find Spooky uncomfortable, especially in its tightest section.
Tips for Hiking Peekaboo & Spooky
- Start early to avoid bottlenecks inside Spooky
- Bring 2–3 liters of water — shade is limited
- Wear lightweight, flexible clothing
- Keep backpacks slim and remove water bottles or items that stick out
- Use Dry Fork Trail for your big-camera photos
- Never hike slot canyons during rain or when storms are possible
What to Bring
This trail doesn’t require advanced gear, but the right essentials make it much more enjoyable:
- Daypack (small profile)
- Plenty of water
- Grippy hiking shoes
- Snack for energy
- Phone or compact camera
- Sun protection for the open sections
- Light gloves if you prefer extra grip during scrambles
Optional but helpful:
- GoPro or small action camera
- Bandana or cooling cloth for hot days
Best Seasons & Time of Day to Visit
Best Seasons:
- Spring
- Fall
Summers can be brutally hot, and winters bring cold shadows into the slots.
Best time of day:
Morning.
Light is softer, temperatures are cooler, and crowds are fewer.
Trailhead Facilities
- Vault toilet
- Parking area
- Informational signs
- Steel test frame – (description below)
Worried about fitting through Spooky’s narrowest point?
Near the trailhead signage, you’ll find a steel test frame built to match the tightest 10-inch squeeze inside Spooky Slot Canyon. If you can comfortably fit through the frame, you should be fine inside the canyon.
Is This Hike Right for You?
Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons are incredible, but they’re also physically demanding in ways that may surprise hikers who are used to more traditional trails. These canyons require a combination of flexibility, balance, grip strength, and the ability to climb and maneuver through tight spaces. Younger hikers often have an advantage simply because scrambling and squeezing through narrow passages comes more naturally.
Gail and I are 66 and 68, and we work out daily specifically so we can take on adventures like this. Even with that conditioning, this loop pushed us to the upper edge of our capabilities. The entry climb into Peekaboo and the tight compressions inside Spooky were challenging, but manageable with patience and focus.
If you’re unsure whether this hike is a good fit, use the sizing frame near the trailhead to test whether the narrowest section of Spooky feels comfortable. And remember — Escalante has plenty of other stunning hikes that offer big scenery without the tight constraints or the rock scrambling required here.
FAQs
How narrow is Spooky Slot Canyon?
Some sections narrow to around 10 inches — one of the tightest slots you can hike without technical gear.
Are dogs allowed?
No. The climbs, drops, and confinement inside Spooky make it unsafe for pets.
Can I carry a DSLR inside the slot canyons?
Not recommended. Peekaboo is too physical and Spooky is far too narrow for safe use of large cameras.
Is the road always accessible?
In dry weather, usually yes. After rain, deep mud and ruts can make the road impassable.
Final Thoughts
Peekaboo and Spooky Slot Canyons are easily one of the most memorable adventures in Southern Utah. The combination of playful climbs, glowing sandstone, tightly winding passages, and desert solitude makes this loop stand apart from other slot canyon hikes in the region.
If you’re exploring Escalante, this hike deserves a spot at the top of your list.
Would you take on Peek-a-boo and Spooky?
Have you hiked these slot canyons or is this one still on your maybe list? Share your experience, questions, or hesitations in the comments. We’re always happy to help fellow hikers decide if this adventure is the right fit.
More Utah Adventures You’ll Love
- Devils Garden (Escalante)
- Escalante Petrified Forest State Park
- Lower Cathedral Wash
- Devils Garden in Arches
- Discovery Utah Page
