STATISTICS AT-A-GLANCE

• HIKE NAME: Chute Canyon

• DISTANCE: 6.5 miles RT to the narrows and back or 13 miles RT if you loop this with Crack Canyon

• ELEVATION GAIN: 250 feet

• RESTROOMS: No, closest are at Temple Mountain Campground before turning onto Behind the Reef Rd

• DOG FRIENDLY: Yes

• PERMIT: No

• FEE: No

• VEHICLE REQUIREMENTS: 2wd, BUT would recommend all terrain tires and higher clearance. Behind the Reef Road can be ROUGH, especially once you pass Crack Canyon TH.

• TRAILHEAD COORDINATES: 38.629046, -110.763351

• MAP PROVIDED IN WEBSITE: Yes, Gaia GPX — my trek turns around at the most narrow section of the canyon

The canyon starts to narrow at around 2.5 miles while entering the narrowest section around 3.1 miles. This is not a very narrow canyon and great for those with claustrophobia. The first and last photos are from the most narrow section of this canyon.

The hike down Chute Canyon follows a flat canyon bottom through the upturned walls of the reef. This is one of the easiest ways to traverse this area which can be done as an out-and-back or as a loop with Crack Canyon, though this will require navigational skills from the mouth of Chute Canyon east to Crack Canyon. Most people that decide to connect as a loop will start at Crack, go down crack, and back up Chute. THIS IS A DIFFICULT ROUTE AS IT REQUIRES ROUTE FINDING AND SCRAMBLING. This is one of the few loop hikes I prefer to hike separately as I'm not comfortable navigating Crack all the way due to multiple dry falls. There is a 10 feet drop with a rope in place on Crack, however I don't trust someone else's rope.

The road getting to the trailhead is passable via 2wd vehicle, however it is very rocky and rough. I would recommend a higher clearance vehicle with all-terrain tires if possible. The last I drove Behind the Reef Road was November 2024 and high clearance was very necessary.