Singing Canyon

Singing Canyon about halfway in

(near Boulder) Not all hikes need to test your lung capacity or leave your calves questioning your life choices. Some hikes, like Singing Canyon near Boulder, just asks you to pull over, take a few steps, and open your ears.

Looking at the slot canyon from the Burr Trail Road

Aspen and I were driving the full stretch of the Burr Trail Road (yes, the one with the white-knuckle driving down switchback... more on that adventure another time) from Boulder to Bullfrog when we came across a little pullout on the side of the road. No signs. No gates. Just a dirt shoulder that looked like the kind of place you’d stop to check a rattle you’re hoping isn’t from your axle. But I knew what we were looking for. It's a teeny-tiny slot canyon that’s more acoustics than effort and would be easy to miss. It's about 11.5 miles from Boulder. I'm happy I knew the mileage on where to look for it because I drove right past it the first time.

Once you walk down an embankment near the road, you come to this sandy wash

We stepped out, hiked (walked, really) down a short sandy embankment, and crossed a sandy wash that led into the narrow red rock corridor. The moment we entered the shade of the slot, the sound shifted. It was like Mother Nature turned down the brightness and turned up the reverb.

Looking back just as you enter Singing Canyon

I gave a whistle, because obviously, and it bounced back like I had a cheering section welcoming me. Aspen’s big puppy ears popped up like satellite dishes. She stopped and did that tilting diagonal tilting dog head thing trying to figure out what was happening. There's a real good chance this was the first time she heard a real proper echo. She knew I was behind her, but couldn't figure out how I was in front of her as well hiding in the rock walls.

Aspen trying to figure out what an echo is

She eventually figured it was nothing to worry about, but I'll never forget the confused look on her face. She was only about seven months old when we visited, so everything is brand new to her.

Aspen and I at Singing Canyon

Singing Canyon isn’t long. It’s maybe a few hundred feet of pure echoey magic. But what it lacks in mileage, it makes up for in wow factor. The sandstone walls tower above, glowing in warm reds and oranges that photographers dream about. The acoustics are so good, some people come here just to sing. Nobody else was here when we visited, otherwise they would've been treated to a sweet rendition of Coldplay's "Yellow" in full acapella. With the perfect reverb, it's easy to understand why this slot canyon is called Singing Canyon. If you visit, you'll see ;)

Looking to the sky while in the slot canyon

Singing Canyon is a perfect stop if you're already exploring the Burr Trail Road. It's less than .3 miles roundtrip and give you the opportunity to explore a slot canyon without being in any danger if it started to rain and a flashflood showed up. Always check the weather forecast before going into any slot canyon, but honestly, there's nothing to worry about with Singing Canyon. There’s no fee, no facilities, and no cell service. Just nature doing what it does best, which in Utah, means showing off a little.

Heading back to the entrance of Singing Canyon

So if you're cruising through the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument area near Boulder and want a short detour that feels like a secret stage, Singing Canyon is worth a stop. Whistle, hum, yodel, sing Coldplay songs, whatever you want. Just don’t blame me if your dog covers its ears when it hears your singing voice bouncing off the sandstone walls two or three times.

Some trees at the entrance to Singing Canyon

LOCATION: Approx. 11.5 miles from start of Burr Trail Road in Boulder. Google Maps link TRAIL NOTES: - Parking: Dirt pull-off, big enough for a few vehicles. - Hike Length: About 0.3 miles roundtrip. Seriously. - Difficulty: Easy peasy. Just watch your step going down the sandy slope by parking. - Best for anyone with a voice, a camera, a dog with expressive ears, or all of the above.

Looking down on the Burr Trail Road that brings you to Singing Canyon

Aspen climbed up but needed me to carry her down. Such an explorer!

The small dirt pull-off to park

Aspen's ears were ringing after this adventure

Just before singing some Coldplay in Singing Canyon :)

The Burr Trail Road just before Singing Canyon