USA Lick Wash

Lick Wash is an easy and scenic walk up a narrow canyon with a few very photogenic slots. The exceptionally scenic Willis Creek and Bull Valley Gorge slot canyons are about a 10 mile/16 km drive north on BLM 500/Skutumpah Rd.

The drive to Lick Wash is very scenic whether coming from Page,Arizona or Kanab, Utah. The drive south from Cannonville, Utah is less scenic but equally viable. One could hike about 2.5 miles up Lick Wash before the canyon widens and becomes less interesting but like most canyon hikes in the area, you walk as far as you want and turn around.

From the Kanab, Utah Visitor Center drive east on Highway 89 for 8.5 miles/13.7 km or west on 89, 62 miles/100 km from the Glen Canyon Dam in Page, Arizona to Johnston Canyon Road. Turn north and drive 16 miles/25.7 km to BLM 500 (also named Skutumpah road) where the paved road ends and the road turns to dirt/gravel. Turn right on 500 and drive about 15 miles/24 km to a junction where a Lick Wash Trailhead sign points to a short (200 yards?) spur road ending at the trailhead. There are numerous spur roads between Johnston Canyon road and Lick Wash that branch off both sides of the road but 500 is wider and obviously the main road. Stay on 500 until you see the trailhead sign for Lick Wash. Like most of the roads in the area, the road is well maintained and graded and suitable for any vehicle when the road is dry but can be impassable for ANY vehicle when wet. Part of the dirt road near the trailhead was covered with snow during my last visit. My 4WD vehicle handled it easily during the early morning drive to the trailhead but the drive out later that afternoon after the snow had melted a bit was a little hairy. Like any other slot canyon this isn’t a place to be with rain in the forecast but aside from the snow on this particular trip, I’ve never seen water in Lick Wash. The trailhead can also be accessed from the north at Cannonville, Utah.