Hidden on the very eastern edge of Nevada, near the Great Basin National Park, Devil’s Gate is a short yet dramatic slot canyon. Unlike most other slot canyons, such as Cathedral Gorge in Nevada, Buckskin Gulch in Utah, or Sidewinder in Death Valley, Devil’s Gate slot canyon is made out of limestone with an easy approach. We had a great time exploring it.
That being said, Devil’s Gate slot is very short. So, we don’t recommend driving all the way out here just to see it. However, if you combine this slot with other activities in the area, such as the Gandy Warm Springs, Lexington Arch, or the Crystal Ball Cave tour, it would make for a full day of fun adventures!
Parking/Start of Trail to Devil’s Gate Slot:
39.478852, -114.098481
Actual Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon
39.478015, -114.096103
Dirt space in front of the canyon’s mouth
Free
No restroom available
We don’t recommend bringing dogs.
0.3 miles R.T
Easy
30 minutes at the slot
Anytime when roads are dry. Roads likely impassable in the winter. It can get hot in the summer.
The coordinates of the trailhead/parking area and the actual slot canyon are listed above. You’ll have to drive over 30 miles of dirt road, one way, to get here. Toward the end, the road will become rough. 4WD vehicles with high-clearance vehicles are highly recommended. There are no services or cell reception. Please make sure you have plenty of gas, water, and food. Also, don’t forget to map out your route ahead of time.
From the parking lot, we followed the wash for a short distance, about 0.25 miles, to the beginning of the slot canyon. There is a small drop to start the slot. From the entrance looking in, the Devil’s Gate canyon is already spectacular. As we went along, we were awestruck by the smooth marble walls. It is so different from other slot canyons that we’ve been to, which are usually made up of sandstone.
Soon enough, we came upon a 15-foot drop. This downclimb is not that bad, but it can be tricky due to the slippery marble surface. We recommend wearing hiking shoes with good traction. They really help. If you have beginners, children, or dogs in your group, they might need help from the more experienced person.
After this 15-foot drop, the canyon walls narrowed up a little more and became even more dramatic. Sadly, the Devil’s Gate slot isn’t that long. Soon enough, it reaches a small old dam that crosses the canyon floor. Once passing this dam, the canyon opens back into a wide wash. We returned the same way.
If you refer longer canyon, we recommend checking out Buckskin Gulch in Utah. This one goes on forever! If you want something more technical, we love Cathedral Wash in Arizona. White Owl Canyon in Nevada is another fun one. And if you’re adventurous, check out this Via Ferrata inside a slot canyon! It is the first of its kind!
Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to check out the related posts below for more inspiration on your upcoming adventures. While at it, follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel! We’ll love you forever!
These are the gear that we personally use and find helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
Our favorite biodegradable, eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen!
This is Vy's favorite hiking bag! It has tons of room for snacks and water!
It's always good to bring a GPS tracker with you. We use the Garmin inReach.
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
This jacket is packable into a super small and light little ball. Perfect for when you just need a little…
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
Our favorite hiking/travel jacket. It's warm and packable, perfect to bring on a hike or a road trip.
If you tend to have foot blisters on hikes, get this! We use this all the time.
These hiking poles are sturdy, and great to help keep your balance on short or longer hikes
Compact GoPro pole that extends to 25", perfect to bring on your adventure.
This is our go-to camera for all of our adventures. It comes with us everywhere!
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Hi! We are Dustin & Vy, the proud creators of Live That Adventure. We created this website because we wanted to inspire others to live their lives to the fullest. On here, you’ll find everything from hiking, canyoneering, kayaking, and snorkeling to adventure and travel tips, gear reviews, and bucket list items such as bungee jumping or wing walking. We’ll show you the ropes so you can do them too!
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