Hiking in slot canyons is a premiere exhibit in San Rafael Swell; Furniture Draw is one of those beautiful canyons you must see! This short, flat trail leads you through tall canyon washes, and non-technical rock scrambling, and includes a few narrow sections. It’s great for all ages and ability levels, and shows the area’s beauty in less than four miles!
Quick Beta
- Mileage: 3.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 157 ft.
- Highest Point: 5,709 ft.
- Best time to visit: Late May through mid-October
- Total hiking time: 1.25 hours
- Kid-friendly: Yes.
- Dog-friendly: Yes, must be on-leash.
- Bathroom at the trailhead: No.
- Gear I brought: REI 35-liter backpack, Osprey 3L water reservoir, compass, camera, Salomon hiking boots, shorts, shirt, hat, sunglasses, sun hoodie, first aid kit.
The hike
This trail starts near the Buckhorn Draw campsites between #7 and #8. There’s a sign marking the turnoff on the main road. This hike starts out in a large wash with tall canyon walls towering over you. It’s hard to lose the trail once you enter the wash! Follow the well-marked path, scurrying over rocks and continue the trail. Once you reach the 1.25 miles, you’ll enter into a wider wash and eventually, it opens up. You’ll be out of the canyon! Along the way, you’ll get to test your skills in narrow parts of the canyon – but nothing too claustrophobic. Once you reach the end of the trail, which is a joining road, head back the way you came!
Need to Know
NO MATTER THE SEASON, UTAH’S SUN CAN AND WILL BURN YOU!
This hike will be as long as you make it be, but you will start burning in as little as 15 minutes on a clear, sunny day. Wear sunscreen, wear a hat and sunglasses, bring lip balm with SPF, and pack extra sunscreen just in case. I hiked about 8 miles and I was feeling the sun, even in mid-October. In summer, it’s even more intense and the sun is out for more of the day. Consider getting a sun hoodie to wear on your hikes. I have the Eddie Bauer Solarfoil Hoodie and I swear by it! It’s super light, has thumb pockets, and covers most of your hand, and the hood is awesome when the sun is high!
UTAH IS DRY. STAY HYDRATED, EVEN IN WINTER.
Southern Utah is dry, especially in fall and winter. Stay well hydrated and be prepared to not have any water on the trail. If you noticed earlier during the “Quick Beta” section of the blog, I didn’t list my water filter. That’s because I knew there were no places for me to even find water to filter! Be aware of this when you pick hikes to do in southern Utah and all areas of Utah. There are some areas of San Rafael where water is findable and filterable, but this hike wasn’t one of them.
For the most part, you are alone.
Hiking in less-traveled parks and monuments means you’re likely going to find some solitude. This also means *no one is coming to rescue you*. You need to be responsible for your own rescue, should your day come down to this. Be smart, plan ahead, and know your limits.
Justin’s Suggestion
Take some water on this hike and knock it out! It’s short and hot, and the tall canyon walls give some relief from the sun on those hot spring and summer days. It’s remarkable how much cooler these types of canyons are in autumn, so I would recommend bringing an extra warm layer with you just in case. There were a few times were I got quite chilly in mid-October!
This is a great hike to do with kids. It’s short, easy to navigate, and there are some fun, challenging sections for smaller kids. If you’re looking for technical slotting, this will be rather underwhelming. It’s a beautiful canyon regardless!
Take A Hike!
This hike didn’t seem terribly popular in the fall when I went, but I’m sure it’s more of a hit during peak travel season in spring and summer. I’d recommend it if there aren’t too many cars in the parking lot! I only came upon one man and his dog in the canyon, and other than that, it was total solidarity. If you have the opportunity, it’s a great hike.
If you’re exploring other parts of the area, make sure you hike or bike the Goodwater Rim Trail and check out the pictographs! The Rim Trail offers some stunning views of the canyon and the pictograph panel offers some of the best drawings I’ve seen in the south.
Parting shot:
Next blog: Sorry for the long hiatus. I know I said I would be better about posting this year, and June and July were full for me with trips back east and some quality time spent with my new fiance and her family. We’ll be getting back to it soon enough. Just hang tight a little bit longer!
Slot canyons are cool, and I’ve thought about giving them a go, but I’d be nervous if I was alone and I’m also not an experienced hiker…but I ought to give it a go some day! Looks like a good time, and congrats on your engagement!
This one doesn’t count as a slot canyon at all! There are some narrow sections but they don’t last long, Perhaps only 20 feet at a maximum, and you’ve always got room to maneuver. Two people could probably pass each other in the narrowest parts of the canyon if needed!