Peekaboo Trail

Peekaboo Trail is a strenuous 10.8-mile out-and-back from Needles Campground’s Loop A trailhead to Salt Creek Canyon, crossing Wooden Shoe and Lost Canyons before climbing onto high slickrock benches. The listed hiking time is five to six hours; with stops, allow about six and plan for the full 10.8 miles. A measured track comes in around 10.3 miles, so the exact total varies with how the cairned slickrock is traced. Choose this for the high route and two ladders if you are steady on exposed rock; for a shorter option in the same district, the 2.4-mile Slickrock Trail offers several viewpoints without the long canyon traverse.

From Loop A, take the left fork toward Peekaboo rather than the Big Spring route. The cairned slickrock reaches Wooden Shoe Junction at about 1.1 miles. Climb to a pass, follow the cairns down and left to the first short ladder, then descend into a tributary that leads to Lost Canyon. At the junction, stay on the Peekaboo route. The ground changes between slickrock and canyon floor, and the trail is not obvious everywhere: broad bare rock and forks can make the wrong line look plausible, so keep the map handy and check each cairn before moving on.

Leaving Lost Canyon, the trail climbs steeply onto open slickrock. It follows a pale sandstone bench above two side canyons, then climbs onto a red layer with wider views. One corner there is especially exposed. A small window cuts through the ridge before the route drops toward a second, taller ladder in a narrow crack. The ladders are manageable for hikers who are comfortable climbing them, but the cliff edges, steep slopes and open ledges make this a poor place to rush or test your comfort with heights. Wet rock or winter ice raises the risk; choose a dry stretch and take your time on the marked line.

Past the second ladder, the route changes to dirt and heads south to Peekaboo Window above the trailhead. A pictograph panel is visible at the window, and two granaries sit north of the route near the ladder. These are fragile cultural places, not side attractions to walk over to or touch; stay on the established path and leave every surface and artifact as you find it. Salt Creek is part of an archaeological district with evidence of people living and traveling through the area for more than 10,000 years. The main route turns around near Peekaboo Camp. Additional panels farther up Salt Creek add about 2.3 miles round trip and are outside this trail’s 10.8-mile distance.

Use the signed Campground Loop A Trailhead inside Needles Campground, just before the end of Loop A. There is a pit toilet at the trailhead. Parking can fill on spring and fall weekends and holidays, so build in time for the lot. The day-use permit is for driving the Horse Canyon/Peekaboo four-wheel-drive road, not for the standard hike from Loop A; that road is often impassable. Overnight trips require a backcountry permit.

There is no water along the route, so pack food and all the water you need for the day. The park recommends at least one liter of water per person per hour; carry what you need for the full day. Pets are not allowed on park hiking trails. In winter, snow or ice can cover the route, and exposed slickrock and ladders become more hazardous when wet or icy.