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)
ABOUT
Hi, I’m Corrine! I’m an outdoor enthusiast and mother of four.
My goal is to inspire you to get outside and create your own amazing memories as a family. Life is precious and there are too many adventures to be had to spend life on the couch or in front of a screen.
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Hello! I’m wondering if you have more information on road conditions? My car handles dirt roads fine but it has a pretty low ground clearance and I’m wondering if that will be problem.
The dirt roads to get to Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon are tame. As long as it hasn’t rained recently you should be fine. There is a larger hill to go down right before the Slot Canyon area. If you are uncomfortable going down, you can always park at the top and hike down. I would have a spare tire just in case though. The area is remote.
where are places to stay either cabins, tent etc. with facilities if we went to that are by Hermit’s Cabin and warm springs?
The Bates Family Ranch has cabins and camping near the warm springs. Check out their accommodations at http://www.batesfamilyranch.com/accommodations.html. Hermits Cabin is very remote and located 1.5 hours from Gandy Warm Springs. There is BLM around Hermit’s Cabin but there is no access to facilities are water. Hope the information helps!