Buckskin Gulch & Wire Pass Slot Canyon Tour: Full-Day Hike

Eight hours inside the longest slot canyon in North America

A full-day guided tour of Buckskin Gulch and Wire Pass Slot Canyon near Zion National Park, starting from the Wave trailhead. You hike through two connected slot canyons, with a live English-speaking guide leading the route through the longest slot canyon in North America. Water and air-conditioned vehicle transport are provided. The tour suits hikers with moderate fitness who can handle a full day on foot.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch

• Start at Wave trailhead
• Hike Wire Pass Slot Canyon
• Explore Buckskin Gulch slot canyon

The experience

The tour starts at the same trailhead as the Wave, but heads into Wire Pass Slot Canyon instead, which feeds directly into Buckskin Gulch. You'll walk through part of the longest slot canyon in North America: a narrow, towering passage carved by water over millennia. The guide navigates the route and carries a cooler of water for the group, so you don't have to pack your own supply for the hike itself. An air-conditioned vehicle handles transport to and from the trailhead, which matters on a full day in the desert.

This tour exists because the Wave lottery is competitive: permits are hard to secure. The operator runs this alternative instead, pairing the slot canyons with access to other Wave formations in the region (South Coyote Buttes and White Pocket) if you want to customize the day. The standard itinerary keeps you in the slot canyons for the full eight hours. You'll need to bring your own lunch and snacks. A backpack is required to carry them and any extra water you want during the hike.

What’s included

• Live English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• cooler of water for the group during the hike.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to SaturdayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kanab Tour Company

Is this one for you?The eight-hour commitment means you're hiking most of the day, so plan this as your main activity and keep the rest of your schedule light. If you have moderate fitness and can handle sustained walking on uneven terrain, the slot canyons fill the time completely. If you want to see other parts of Zion or nearby towns in the same day, this tour leaves little room for that.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Buckskin Gulch like compared to other slot canyons?

Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in North America, a narrow passage where the walls rise high and close around you for much of the hike. You walk through the canyon floor itself rather than on a trail above it, moving through sections where the slot narrows significantly.

How does the Wire Pass Slot Canyon connect to Buckskin Gulch?

Wire Pass Slot Canyon is the entry point: you hike through it first, and it leads directly into Buckskin Gulch. Starting at the Wave trailhead, you take Wire Pass as the approach to the longer canyon system.

What should I bring for an eight-hour hike in the slot canyons?

Pack a lunch and snacks for the full day. The guide provides water in a cooler, but you may want to carry extra. A backpack is required to hold your food and any additional supplies. Wear hiking boots with good grip, as the canyon floor can be uneven and sometimes wet.

Is this tour a good option if I didn't get a Wave permit?

Yes, the tour is designed as an alternative for travelers who didn't win the Wave lottery. You start from the same trailhead, so the access and logistics are familiar, but you spend the day in the slot canyons instead. The operator also offers customized tours to other Wave formations in the region if you want to explore those.