Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada

KID RATINGS

Fun:⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:  Very Easy    EASY   Moderate    Hard    Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Distance: 1 mile round-trip, out-and-back
Elevation Change: Around 50 ft

Terrain: Marble, dirt, rocks, desert terrain
Time Needed: 1 hour
When to Go: Anytime of the year when there is not rain or snow

COST

Free

AMENITIES

No amenities at Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon.

Closest public amenities are at a gas station on the Utah/Nevada border 45 minutes away on U.S. 50. If you go on a tour of the Crystal Ball Cave there are bathrooms at the Bates Family Ranch which is about 20 minutes from Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon.

THINGS TO BRING

• Water

• Hiking shoes with good grip (the marble is slick and it is helpful to have shoes with good grip)

• Snacks for kids (and adults 🙂

• Full tank of gas
• Vehicle that can drive well on dirt roads, 4×4 not required

DETAILS

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon is a small slot canyon located just beyond the Utah border in Nevada. This is a fun adventure to couple with Gandy Warm Springs and Crystal Ball Cave. It is also within an hour of Great Basin National Park.

Devils Gate Slot Canyon Trailhead

This remote slot canyon is accessed via a series of dirt roads off of Highway 50. Follow my map below.  Below is a picture of the view of Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon from the dirt road above. Follow this dirt road downward and then take your left and park your vehicle. After reaching the trailhead you will walk west about 0.25 miles to the beginning of the slot canyon.

After reaching the trailhead you will walk west about 0.25 miles to the beginning of the slot canyon.

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon

After walking about a quarter mile you will drop down into the slot as pictured below. 

Then you will come to a 15 ft drop that can be slick due to the marble surface. There are plenty of foot and hand holds but I do recommend having an adult at the top and then one in the middle of the drop to help the kids down. Shoes will good grip help a lot in this area of the canyon. 

We used the same system to scramble up the 15 ft drop with an adult in the middle and then the top. This is a short slot canyon but worth the adventure if you are in the area.

You will then walk through this short but beautiful slot. The slot walls are smooth, curvy and tall. 

The slot is less than a quarter mile and quickly opens back up to the desert. The kids roamed the desert for a few minutes before turning back around to hike back up the slot. You get back to your vehicle by hiking the same way you came. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

• Free

• Fun for all ages
  

Neutral

• Remote location

• Short slot canyon

CONS

• No amenities at trailhead

• Marble in slot canyon can be slick

DIRECTIONS

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon, Nevada is located just beyond the Utah border near the ranching community of Gandy, Utah. Follow my map below. Close to an hour of this drive from Hwy 50/Hwy 6 is dirt roads.

It is easy to get off the right path to Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon due to the many dirt roads in the area. There aren’t many signs either.

MAPS

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Crystal Ball Cave (20 mins)

Gandy Warm Springs (15 mins)

Great Basin National Park (1 hour 20 mins)

Hermits Cabin (1 hour 50 mins)

U-dig Fossil Quarry (2 hours 20 mins)