The combination of paths is also referred to as Slot Canyon Trail by China Ranch. Spring-fed Willow Creek is a tributary of the Amargosa River, which runs 185 miles mostly under the Mojave Desert ...

The rise in slot canyon popularity has brought an uptick in damage, from graffiti on petroglyphs to improperly buried waste. "People have carved their names over 8,000-year-old rock art," Snow says.

Slot canyons may feel still and silent, but they’re full of surprises. Their shady, sheltered walls offer refuge for desert wildlife — from rattlesnakes and insects to the occasional tarantula.

The rise in slot canyon popularity has brought an uptick in damage, from graffiti on petroglyphs to improperly buried waste. “People have carved their names over 8,000-year-old rock art,” Snow ...

For many, slot canyons evoke a sense of awe and curiosity. “There’s a real sense of discovery,” says Clery. “Every turn reveals something new.” ...

Slot canyon hiking blends beauty, problem-solving and risk. “It’s not just walking,” says Lura Snow, deputy operations manager for Wildland Trekking in Utah.