Utah’s San Rafael Swell is an incredible place to explore with its many winding canyons, unique formations, pretty backroads, and stunning vistas. This is a place we come back to time and time again because of its beauty and endless adventure opportunities. On a hot morning in late June we decided to venture out to Wild Horse Window.
This hike is short and easy, making it a great option for those hotter summer days, if you’re short on time, or if you aren’t looking for anything too strenuous. There are also various other great hikes and attractions in the area, so Wild Horse Window is convenient to reach and easy to pair with other excursions. Here are the details of the hike!
Getting to the Wild Horse Window Trailhead
Head towards Temple Mountain and Goblin Valley State Park from Highway 24. Turn left off Temple Mountain Road onto Goblin Valley Road. There are ample signs guiding you to the park. Very shortly after you turn, you’ll see a dirt road branching off to the right. Turn off here and follow the road for less than half a mile until you reach the trailhead. This dirt road is generally fine if you don’t have high clearance or 4WD. But it can get rutted, muddy, and sometimes impassable after heavy rain.
The trailhead is a small dirt pull-off with space for a several cars. There is a sign marking the trailhead, but no other amenities there.
Fees & Regulations
The Wild Horse Window trail sits just outside the Goblin Valley State Park boundaries on BLM land. There are no fees to park and hike here.
Pets are permitted – note that the sand and rock can get very hot in the summer. The trail is for hiking use only (no bikes, pack animals, etc.) Please don’t carve on the cave walls or disturb the pictographs.
Hiking to Wild Horse Window
Hike Overview
Hike Type: Easy out-and-back trail
Distance: About 2 miles (3.2 km) roundtrip
Duration: 45min – 1.5hrs
The Hike
We have loved every single adventure and camping trip we’ve had in this area. But the morning we planned to hike to Wild Horse Window was extra special and exciting because we were shooting our engagement photos!
Since it was late-June, we ventured to the trailhead just after sunrise to beat the heat and make the most of the pretty morning light. We headed from the car down into the wash below the parking area. After a while, the trail fades, but there are some footprints in the sandy areas and cairns here and there. Wild Horse Window is also visible from the parking area, so you know the general direction to head as you hike.
The hike was pretty from the start as we made our way towards the rugged formations of the San Rafael Swell. Behind us was a pretty view over the vast desert landscape with buttes jutting up from the valley floor. Far in the distance, we could see tall peaks that were still capped with snow.
We stopped to take photos as we made our way up the slight slope towards Wild Horse Window. The hike up is only about a mile, but there are some cool formations and nearby canyons that make a little extra wandering around the area fun.
Before we knew it, we found ourselves among the narrowing canyon walls that dead end into the Wild Horse Window cave. The alcove is pretty, and it’s made even more unique by the arch/window formation at the top of the cave. It reminded us a bit of the Golden Cathedral in Escalante. It’s quite incredible how wind and water form these features over many years. Higher up in the cave, there are also some pictographs!
We spent a while in and around the cave, taking photos and enjoying the scenery before heading back down to the car the way we came.
What to Bring
Water
Sun Protection: You may get some shade once you reach the cave, but there is no shade along the trail, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses.
Navigation: As mentioned above, there isn’t really a trail to follow. It’s not too difficult to find your way to there because the hike is short, but we recommend having your GPS, offline Google Maps, AllTrails map, or whatever navigation you prefer with you just in case.
Comfortable Shoes: The trail isn’t long or strenuous, but you’ll be hiking over slickrock and through sand, so bring comfortable shoes with decent tread.
Bug Spray: We’ve never encountered many bugs during our spring, fall, and winter adventures in this area, but the one time we went in the summer, there were tons of flies. Some were biting. So, if you visit around summer, bring some bug spray, just in case.
Food: Not really necessary for such a short hike, but this is a gorgeous place to enjoy a snack or packed lunch if desired!
Camera: If you want to capture your adventure.
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