BLM Camping

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon


The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for 1 in every 10 acres of land in the U.S.

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, also called Red Canyon, features Puebloan Moqui steps and a 20-foot entry climb leading through fluted Navajo sandstone walls. Dry RV camping is available at the Peek-a-Boo Staging Area. Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon is the perfect place for traveling families, beginning hikers, off-road fans, and photographers. Since it’s open to the public, reservations aren’t needed. You must park your RV at the staging area, as the last 4 miles to the location include deep, soft sand and dry washes. A four-wheel drive vehicle would be best for your visit to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon.

Quick Facts About RVing in Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon

RV Friendly: No ● Max RV Length: RVs not permitted beyond the staging area ● Camping Type: None on-site but available nearby ● Reservations: No ● Hookups: None ● Dump Station: None on-site ● Potable Water: Bring your own ● Cell Service: None ● Pets: Allowed but must be leashed ● Roads: Dirt and gravel ● Best Seasons: Spring and fall

Why RV Travelers Love This BLM Area

● Safe, graveled parking in the staging area, ideal for large rigs and towed vehicles ● Easy and manageable hike length and doesn’t take up a full day ● Peaceful and usually not crowded ● Towering 50-foot sandstone walls stay breezy and cool ● Landscape contrasts make for vibrant photographs

What to See and Do

What to See and Do

Hiking and BikingHiking and Biking

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon is one of only a few slot canyons in Utah. This narrow passage has orange sandstone walls climbing on both sides for a unique visual experience. Length: 0.7 miles round trip Intensity: Easy

Fishing and BoatingFishing and Boating

Kanab sits in Kane County and has numerous lakes, rivers, and streams for fishing. Navajo Lake is known for trout fishing, and you can find bass in the waters of Lake Powell. Duck, Kanab, and Escalante creeks all offer their own fishing opportunities.

Picnicking

Hidden Lake is a small cave full of water sitting underneath a red sandstone cliff. Enjoy lunch at the small picnic spot just 200 feet from this cave. Note that the access road is usually in rough condition, and if the road is wet, avoid the area. Do not drink or swim in the water within the cave due to stagnant conditions and debris.

Animal Sanctuary

The Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is a home for over 1,500 animals, including dogs, birds, cats, bunnies, pigs, and horses. It is the largest sanctuary of its type in the country. Plan a visit to engage with the animals or hike throughout the assigned land. The sanctuary offers free daily tours, a gift shop, and a cafe.

Camping

Bureau of Land Management Camping

RV Camping Caravan Icon

BLM RV camping is possible at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, and the gravel parking area does have fire pits available. Due to the sandy soil and the possibility of getting stuck, taking your RV off paved roads is not recommended. Nearby Kanab has several RV campgrounds, with Grand Plateau RV Resort and Crazy Horse Resort both being highly rated for their amenities and value.

Dispersed Camping

Dispersed camping is possible at the staging area of Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon. There’s no fee for dry camping, and the site offers picnic tables, fire pits, and a pit toilet. You must adhere to Leave No Trace rules for trash. The staging area is graveled and accessible for all RV models; however, you cannot drive your RV beyond this point. There is a strict 14-day limit for dispersed camping there. It is a large open area, so you won’t have privacy outside your RV. You must use the fire rings for campfires, and some fire restrictions may apply during summer months.

Is This BLM Area Good for Your RV?

Camper Vans: Camper vans offer good clearance; however, they are heavy vehicles and could get stuck or damaged in deep desert sand. Even if your camper van was modified with a 4X4 lift kit, it isn’t suitable for driving beyond the staging area. ● Travel Trailers: The sand beyond the staging area presents a challenge for travel trailers. If you attempt to drive them off the gravel, they could jackknife and get stuck, which could severely damage the undercarriage. ● Fifth Wheels: The waste pipes, undercarriage, and stabilizer jacks could become damaged if you drive a fifth wheel beyond the staging area. The single-lane paths leading to Peak-A-Boo Slot Canyon are too narrow for these RV models. These roads also have extreme washboards that could severely jar the RV, causing interior damage. ● Class A Motorhomes: These motorhomes have low ground clearance and require a wider than average turning radius. Their size makes them impossible to drive off the gravel staging area or a paved road. ● Class B Motorhomes: These would face the same issues as camper vans at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon. They are too heavy and would become stuck in the desert dirt. ● Class C Motorhomes: This class features a long wheelbase and heavy rear overhangs. These motorhomes also have low-water plumbing lines that could be damaged. Don't attempt to drive them beyond the staging area.

Free Camping Campground Icon

Free and dispersed camping is available for RVs at the nearby Hole in the Rock Road location. The address is BLM-200, Escalante, UT 84726. Sites are first come, first served. If you have questions about this camping area, contact the Escalante Center at 435-644-4300.

RV Rentals Near Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon Plan your next adventure

Planning Your Trip

Credit: Vanna Mae, @vannamaeart

Planning your Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon BLM trip

While the scenery here is stunning, the local terrain can be surprising in ways you might not expect. The paths here involve a lot of deep sand that is difficult to traverse. Sometimes, it is not even passable. Flash floods in the last few years have been strong enough to push boulders into the Red Canyon. This results in drop-offs that visitors and novice hikers cannot safely surmount. Furthermore, the difficulty and height of these obstacles are constantly changing as more floods transfer debris and sediment from one area to another. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center, located in Kanab, offers maps and has current details regarding the conditions in Peek-A-Boo Canyon. If you attempt a hike during your visit, try to travel in a group for safety. Carry enough water and food, and pack a first-aid kit and layers of clothes to deal with the arid environment. Don't forget your sunglasses and sunscreen! It's easy to look at pictures of the canyon and think you will be in the shade, but most of your hiking will be outside the canyon and in direct sunlight. Before you head out on your trip, check out our blog for all you need to know about BLM camping.

What RV Travelers Should Know Before Arriving

RVers should know that only dispersed camping is available at the Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon Staging Area. You can't drive any non-4x4 vehicles beyond this point. There is no potable water, so you need to bring your own. You will find a gas station in Kanab about 12 minutes away. Grocery and camping supply stores, including Glazier’s Market, are about 15 minutes away. There’s no cellular service at this location. You are responsible for your own trash. Maverik Gas Station offers a free dumping station about 15 minutes away in Kanab. You need to stay aware of possible heavy rain in summer and snow and ice in winter.

Leave No Trace Leaf

Many BLM lands are open for versatile use, and there are long-standing goals of preserving them for future generations to enjoy. If you visit Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon or other Bureau of Land Management campgrounds, you must "Leave No Trace." In other words, "Take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but memories." Before you leave your site, pack all your trash and waste, and don't do anything to disrupt the local animal or plant life. When you leave your site, it should look just like it did when you arrived.

Leave No Trace
Location

Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon Location

The official address for this site is Kanab Visitor Center, 745 East Highway 89, Kanab, UT 84741. Start your journey from Kanab, and head north for nine miles. After you see the sign for Peek-A-Boo on the highway, turn east. Head up the small hill, cross the cattle guard, and enter the big gravel parking lot. BLM Route 102 is on the eastern border of that parking area. Take BLM Route 102 until you reach a dry riverbed. Once there, turn onto BLM Route 106H and follow the wash until it ends. This is where the slot canyon starts. You will need a high-clearance, four-wheel vehicle to navigate the deep, sandy terrain. Many visitors use UTVs and ATVs to get from the trailhead to the canyon. Ready to visit Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? An RV rental is a great way to experience your destination. Not only will you be close to all the action, but at the end of a long day exploring, you’ll have your RV to return to for the night, where you’ll enjoy a full kitchen, bathroom, and nice soft bed. Not sure about renting an RV? Here’s a step-by-step guide to renting an RV with RVshare.

Plan Your Day at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon

Morning: Book a pre-booked shuttle before arriving, or rent a UTV. Drive the UTV or travel via the shuttle to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon and explore the beautiful, glowing rock canyon. Return to your RV for lunch and relaxation. ● Afternoon: In the afternoon, travel 12 miles to the Belly of the Dragon trail. This local attraction features ribbed sandstone walls, like those of Peek-A-Boo, and a box-culvert tunnel. You can take an easy half-mile round-trip hike in the tunnel section or walk up the dry riverbend beyond the tunnel for a round trip of about 1.8 miles. ● Evening: Enjoy a delicious dinner at your RV, and get to know other visitors. The staging area is a terrific place for stargazing.

Nearby Attractions

The Great Chamber/Manny’s Rock: The Great Chamber or Manny’s Rock features wind-carved sandstone and a massive sand dune. If you rented a UTV, it is the perfect place to explore during your visit. It is about 45 minutes from Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon. ● Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park: This state park features colorful sand dunes and red cliffs. It’s a 30-minute drive from Peek-A-Boo and offers RV camping spots with electric hookups. You should book a reservation in advance to stay here. ● The Sand Caves/Moqui Cave Area: This area is just half a mile from Peek-A-Boo and offers manmade storage caves. These caves were carved into the massive cliff face and attract many visitors. It’s a 10-minute drive from the staging area. ● Toadstool Hoodoos: Venture to Toadstool Hoodoos to see rock spires in mushroom shapes. This attraction is just off U.S. Highway 89 and slightly over an hour’s drive. ● Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch: Wire Pass and Buckskin Gulch features a slot canyon about 80 minutes from Peek-A-Boo. They offer dry camping if you’d like to stay on-site.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon suitable for large RVs? The staging area is the only place where RVs are permitted at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon. You can maneuver rigs of all sizes in this area. However, you shouldn’t drive any non-4x4 vehicles beyond the staging area, as it is dangerous. Are generators allowed at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? You are allowed to use generators at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon during the day. However, BLM guidelines require all visitors to observe quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Can you bring your pets to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? Yes, you can bring your dogs to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, but they must remain leashed. Keep in mind that it involves miles of hot sand, and you’ll need to lift your dog over the ladder obstacle. This attraction may not be suited for larger, heavier dog breeds. What’s the best season for RV camping at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? It is best to visit Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon during spring and fall. There is heavy rain in summer and ice and snow in winter. Where can you get cell service near Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? You would need to travel back to U.S. Highway 89 to access cellular service. The highway is about 3.5 miles from the staging area. Are there fire restrictions at Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon? The Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon and staging area are under a fire restrictions. This means visitors can't start an open fire and must use designated fire rings.

Rent the Right RV for This Trip

When visiting Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon, it’s important to rent the right RV to ensure a comfortable and rewarding experience. Since there aren’t any RV restrictions for the staging area, you can choose an RV according to your preferences and budget. Renting an RV can for a Utah road trip can afford you many benefits, including setup and delivery. Browse our RV rentals in Kanab for your trip to Peek-A-Boo Slot Canyon.