Devils Canyon (Utah)

The beta for this canyon originates from the AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide. While the information provided there confirms the area was visited, it also appears that the side canyons mentioned were not fully explored. For this reason, the canyon is considered “not fully explored.” I have also created a KML/GPX map based on the details and map imagery from the AmericanSouthwest.net guide, supplemented with additional information. The goal is to provide a more complete and useful map track to assist with visiting and exploring the side canyons and tributaries described in their guide. AmericanSouthwest.net did not assign a technical rating to the canyon, but based on their description, the explored portion of Devil’s Canyon seems to qualify as Class 2 terrain. The side canyons also appear to have been explored only to a Class 2 level. However, the beta mentions pour‑offs, potholes, and other obstacles, even noting that “although easy exploration ends below a pour‑off, there will probably be more slot canyons above.” This suggests that future exploration of these side canyons may reveal new Class 3‑level slot canyon terrain. If any of these side canyons are later found to be substantial enough to warrant their own dedicated descriptions, updates here would be necessary. For now, since they function mainly as interesting diversions to explore from the bottom up while traveling through Devil’s Canyon, they are included within this overview

Take exit 116 on I-70 and head southeast on the access road towards the Justensen Flat Trailhead / Parking area. From there the road will turn to dirt, with several dirt roads and ATV tracks intermingling. Follow the main road as it continues southeast and then switches back to the southwest and descends the grade. The road winds a bit here and there as it descends and on the last turn there will be a sign for the Devil's Canyon Wilderness. The road will then point due south and shortly cross a wash in a wide section of canyon. This is the Devil's Canyon Wash. Find a place somewhere in this vicinity to park. Note, the road is narrow and parking options may not be great but park in a way that will not block vehicle access on the road. Parking in the wash is not ideal--in case of of a flood--but there may not be much other choice. Once parked, begin from the point where the dirt road crosses the wash and travel west/northwest (downstream) into Devil's Canyon. The canyon is wide and winds northwest for about 1.7 miles. Form here it will continue west for a bit before making its turn to an overall southwest course. This is not explored yet. Do so at your own risk! It may be possible to approach / exit beginning at the Devil's Canyon View Point and Rest Area. It is clear that people hike from the view point out to a ridge. Looking at Satellite imagery, it may be possible to follow this ridge to it's point and either continue southward down the side, or switchback and drop into the drainage on the west. It also may be either too steep or to crumble to do so safely. The feasibility of this option has not yet been tried.

In Devil's Canyon, there is a very short, class 2 slot section about 2.25 miles from where the road crosses the wash. This section does have a pool. Midway through this short slot section Tributary 2 intersects with the main canyon. The AmericanSouthwest.net slot canyon guide describes several side canyons, which they label as tributaries, that join Devil's Canyon. Not all of these side canyons have not been fully explored. From the short description and few pictures given, they seem interesting and some offer short class 2 fun but others may potentially have class 3 terrain above some obstacles. There are other tributaries much further down the Devil's Canyon but AmericanSouthwest.net only shows them on the map but does not describe them.

To exit Devil's Canyon simply reverse the canyon.