Willis Creek: A Gothic Journey

Off the beaten path in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Willis Creek is a real photographic gem. Rhonda and I keep finding our way back to this canyon, especially on our camping trips to experience the stunning night skies of Kodachrome Basin. Every visit feels a little different — and every time, just as magical.

The 5-mile round-trip hike leads you through a mix of landscapes: open desert stretches, rocky washes, and then, suddenly, the walls close in. That’s when the real magic begins — a stunning 1.3-mile stretch of narrows where sculpted stone rises around you like nature’s own cathedral. Unlike the fiery reds and oranges that southern Utah is famous for, Willis Creek shows off a cooler palette: smooth, grey and tan walls etched with swirling erosional patterns that feel both ancient and alive. Some sections have a very unique gothic, otherworldly vibe.

Tip: Willis Creek is open to horseback riders, and while we only shared the trail with horses once, their signature was left behind in a few spots. It’s all part of the adventure — just watch your step and keep moving forward into one of the most amazing canyons we’ve explored.

These photographs are a compilation of several visits we have made to Willis Creek.

A pooping lizard. I think I scared the sh!t out of this one!