Wiregrass Canyon
Wiregrass Canyon is a fun little canyon worth an hour or two to explore, tucked just off Smoky Mountain Road a few minutes outside of Page. The drive out is part of the experience. This stretch of desert feels wonderfully otherworldly, surrounded by colorful badlands that look like they belong on another planet and practically beg to be explored.
The hike into Wiregrass Canyon is short and playful, winding through sculpted sandstone and small narrows. In a few places the route climbs briefly above the canyon to bypass tighter sections, where you’ll want to move carefully along steeper ledges. Once you drop back down into the canyon, be sure to walk up the narrows—they are easily the most scenic and enjoyable part of the outing.
I’ve continued farther down the canyon before, but eventually the scenery begins to repeat itself. These days I usually give the outing just enough time to reach the most beautiful sections before turning around and spending the rest of the day exploring other nearby gems like the wonderful Toadstool Hoodoos. Between the canyon walls, sandstone scrambling, and the wild surrounding landscape, this is one of those places that easily brings out your inner child.
Another nearby canyon called Resurrection Canyon lies just south of Wiregrass and can easily be combined with this outing. Accessing it is a bit trickier and involves navigating ledgy terrain while following a GPS route, and the canyon itself is most dramatic initially, then becomes less interesting. I’ve included the route in case it fits into your day.
A short and playful canyon hike along Smoky Mountain Road featuring sculpted sandstone narrows and colorful desert badlands. The highlights come quickly, making it easy to combine with other nearby adventures.
Awe Rating (1-5):
3
Length:
< 5 miles
Difficulty:
Moderate
Trail Type:
Out & Back
Time Needed:
1-2 Hours
Highlights:
Slot Canyon, Photography
Landscape:
Canyon
Solitude Potential:
High
Trailhead Access:
Dirt Road
Special Considerations, Best Season to Hike:
Hot in summer, just check the road conditions if you don't have a high clearance vehicle, mainly for a water crossing early on.
Things to Know
The trailhead is reached via Smoky Mountain Road, a rough desert road that can become muddy or difficult after storms.
Early in the road there is often a water crossing, which may be a problem for low-clearance vehicles depending on conditions.
The canyon route involves short scrambles and brief ledgy bypasses, so good footing and a bit of comfort moving over rock are helpful.
The most scenic part of the canyon is reached quickly, so even a short visit can be very rewarding.
More to Explore
There are lots of great areas to explore nearby. For fantastic hoodoo landscapes be sure to visit the easily accessed Toadstool Hoodoos. If you are feeling adventurous and seeking a very photogenic location, go to Stud Horse Point and Skylight Arch. The White Rocks Hoodoos is another local playful hoodoo landscape to consider.
The adjacent Vermillion Cliffs also boast several world-class destinations including The Wave, Buckskin Gulch, Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch, Edmaier's Secret and White Pocket.
Scenes Along the Trail
