Exploring the San Rafael Swell & Beyond: A Hiker's Guide

Exploring the San Rafael Swell & Beyond: My Favorite Hikes and Areas

This adventure was inspired by me hearing about a "White Ghost" to search for in the San Rafael Swell, but there are so many amazing hikes in this area that I have enjoyed and would love to give you my reviews and advice on each one. The Swell has been a place of mystery, with a rich history of bootlegging and mining. From roaming around Temple Mount to exploring Spotted Wolf Canyon, this area is full of stories. In this post, I'll share some of my favorite spots, including one of my most thrilling and terrifying hikes: Ding and Dang Slot Canyons.

Know Before You Go: Essential Tips

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and Fall are ideal, but always check for rainfall if you plan on entering any slot canyon.
• Water: Make sure you pack plenty of water, for it is a hot and dry area. Bring more than you think you'll need.
• Navigation: There is no cell service in most of this area. **MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD OFFLINE GOOGLE MAPS and possibly a GPS app like Gaia BEFORE GOING IN!**
• Supplies: Be prepared. Make sure you have taken care of any needs and **FILL UP YOUR GAS TANK** in Green River or another nearby town before heading into the Swell.
• Vehicle: With the exception of Goblin Valley and the main road to the Little Wild Horse trailhead, most other trails mentioned here need a **High Clearance Vehicle or 4x4.**

Part 1: The Goblin Valley Area

These spots are located just east of the Swell and are perfect to do together.

1. Goblin Valley State Park

While you are in the area, you absolutely must check out Goblin Valley. It's an area that feels like you are on another planet, a land of rock creature goblins. It was even used in the movie *Galaxy Quest* for just that reason! In the movie, the spaceship landed on a bizarre and crazy planet, and when the crew started roaming around, they soon found themselves being chased back to their ship by a monster formed by all the rocks coming together to make one big rock monster. It was an epic movie, and it stayed with me when I explored this area. It inspired me to make a video of that very event, but from the Goblins' perspective. Transport here and check it out!

Goblin Valley is like a natural playground. There is a cave in the back that is a fun thing to search for, and of course, those green "spaceship" rocks from the movie. It's an easy and definitely family-friendly adventure.

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Easy / Playground
Family Friendly	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

2. Wild Horse Window

This is an epic place, but the hike is tricky because it is a little hard to follow. It is just off the road on the way to Goblin Valley, so it's an easy one to check out while you are there. I would say it is only considered hard because the trail can be difficult to stay on, as it crosses a lot of slick rock. I was VERY glad I had GAIA letting me know if we were still on the trail!

Want to know more?  Here is a link for more infomation Wild Horse Window Post

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Easy (but navigation is tricky)
Scenery	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★☆

Part 2: The Heart of the Reef (Classic Slot Canyons)

This is where you'll find some of the most famous and challenging slot canyon hikes.

3. Little Wild Horse Slot Canyon

My first hike in the San Rafael Swell was to Little Wild Horse. We had little kids and it had rained the night before, so there were orange puddles the whole way. It was an adventure of trying to get through without getting stained orange clothes, but by the end, we just had to embrace the fun journey!

I have been back many times, and it has been interesting to see how it has changed from erosion over the years. Kids love this hike, for it has a little bouldering, but nothing too challenging. The walls are fascinating to look at, and the kids can't really get lost because you can only travel between the two walls.

IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING

Flash floods are a real and serious danger in all slot canyons. **ALWAYS CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST** before you go. Do not enter the canyon if there is any chance of rain in the area.

My Advice: If you have little kids, I would suggest only doing the first 3 amazing slot sections and then turning around and coming back the way you came. If you are older and more experienced, the full loop is amazing, but make sure you take a map and know which way to turn, or you will end up on a very long trail that is not back to the car!

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Medium
Scenery	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★☆

4. Crack Canyon

This hike is amazing also! It has the same potholes in the walls that you see in Little Wild Horse, but they are much larger, and the slot canyon feels grander. The cool overlook rock formations as you get close to the narrow slot, and the formations before the slot canyon, are really incredible.

It does have a big drop once you get into the slot canyon, which is where I have usually turned around. It's a great spot to enjoy the immense beauty before heading back.

Clink here for more information Crack Canyon Post

NAVIGATION WARNING

The trails back to your car can be very confusing. I have done this trail a few times, and I have gotten lost and my friend got lost. Keep track of your surroundings, or better yet, record your trail on a GPS app like Gaia to ensure you safely make it back!

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Medium (with a difficult obstacle)
Scenery	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

5. Ding and Dang Slot Canyons

My next adventure into the San Rafael Swell was to Ding and Dang slot canyon. I knew this one was tough, but I had been hiking a ton and thought I was in pretty good shape. The problem was that I had already hiked Crack Canyon that morning, so I had a few miles on my legs. I sat in the parking lot and decided that if someone came in the next hour and was willing to let me join them, then I was going to brave this slot canyon. Otherwise, I was going to take it as a sign not to go.

Well, about 15 minutes later two guys from a university in Scotland showed up! They were in the area studying geology and were kind enough to let me come along. I soon realized that this trail was harder than my ability level, and without these patient guys helping me, I wouldn't have made it. There were so many places that had areas you had to use your arms to lift your body up ledges, and lots of drops that were significant.

But my new friend was creative and said, "I did this with a 70-year-old man, so I know all the tricks. You can do it even if you can't do big drops." Well, that meant walking along very narrow ledges, scooting under overhangs on cliff walls, and for the finale, wedging ourselves between two cliff walls and lowering ourselves down! It was definitely the craziest hiking I have ever done, and I was so happy to have made it back to my car.

The 360 camera I had back then got pretty scratched up on this hike, but I did make a Google Earth Street View Trail. You can join me on that crazy hike if you would like!

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Difficult
Scenery	★★★★★
Thrill Factor	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

Part 3: The Northern Swell & I-70 Corridor

These locations are easily accessible from Interstate 70 and offer a taste of the Swell's diversity.

6. The White Ghost

The famous "White Ghost" is a unique rock formation that has sparked local legends for generations. It is an easy walk to get a closer look, and it is especially spooky at dusk!

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Easy
Scenery	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

The Legend of the White Ghost of San Rafael

They say there's a White Ghost in these parts,
That gives chills and has scared many of hearts
Moonshiners bootlegging their kegs of beer
Came up the rise and ran way from fear.
Miners from the great but terrible Temple Mount.
Was their disappearance on the ghosts account?
Did the Little Wild Horse that ran through these slots
Go crazy from fear and start seeing spots.
I eagerly search for the ghost, but yet
My stomach tosses and turns thinking about the threat.
Are my eyes seeing a ghost out of nothing?
Yes, the mocking face in the rock is something!
The hairs on my neck are prickly up
Is ghost is watching and ready to jump?
Did the ground lift up and eject this ghost
Refusing to let it stay inside and be its host?
Are those caves in front of me really huge eyes
Or are those massive jaws coming up from the rise
Quick let's hide in this very narrow crack
And hope we will escape any attack
Can we find safety in this old mine?
Or are closing jaws a tricky design.
So many eyes look out from the up on wall
Fear creeps in as I hear their spooky call.
Let's hide in this cool and unique cave
And find the courage to tread on and be brave
For I hear it is important to get to the spot ahead.
What! That is the white Ghost I shake my head
Yes, its scared a many cowboys glowing in the dark
But I laugh now that it has lost all its bark.

7. Black Dragon Wash

Searching the slots along the reef brought me to Black Dragon Wash and the hike to the "3 Arch Trail." This was a very cool area for looking for petroglyphs. It's an easy off-road drive and an easy trail, making it very accessible.

E

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Easy
Scenery	★★★★☆
Overall Experience	★★★★☆

8. 3rd Canyon and Cliff Dweller Mine

This easy, cool slot canyon is fun to explore. It's a bit of a treasure hunt to look for the arch, the old historic bridge, and even an old still from the bootlegging days back in there.  Watch on Oculus TV with this link Cliff Dwellers Mine VR Getaway

Category	Shauna's Rating
Hike Difficulty	Easy
Fun Factor	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★☆

Part 4: 4x4 Adventures & Remote Exploration

For those with high-clearance vehicles looking to get off the beaten path.

9. Temple Mount

My next adventure was up to Temple Mount. It needs a 4-wheel drive vehicle to access, but it's a really fascinating place to explore. You can wander around the old uranium mine and see the tiny homes that were built right between the rocks at the bottom of the temple mount. This is also a great place for dispersed camping.

Bring History to Life

The mines here were for uranium. I would advise doing some fun research about Marie Curie and the amazing discoveries she made in radiology and her awards before wandering around here. Knowing that history really makes the place come to life!

More Information on this Area Temple Mount Post

Category	Shauna's Rating
Experience Type	4x4 Exploration & Camping
Historical Interest	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

10. Driving the San Rafael Reef

The drive along the reef is an adventure in itself. The views are breathtaking, with dramatic cliffs and unique geological formations around every corner. There are hikes all along the reef and we have hiked many of them. Most don't have names, but if you look on a Gaia map you will find many adventures through amazing slot canyons here.

Category	Shauna's Rating
Experience	Easy (requires a high-clearance vehicle in some areas)
Scenery	★★★★★
Overall Experience	★★★★★

HEHRHEHREHR

---

The San Rafael Swell is a place of wonder and adventure. Whether you're chasing ghosts or just chasing epic views, there's something here for everyone. I hope this guide helps you plan your own amazing trip!

What's your favorite hidden gem in the San Rafael Swell? Share your own stories and tips in the comments below!

Happy Adventures, Friends!

If you have any questions about these locations or need help planning your trip, feel free to email me at ShaunasAdventures1@gmail.com.