Fire Canyon Wash Trail

Fire Canyon Wash is the park’s wild side—an unmarked, unmaintained route through blazing red Aztec Sandstone. Expect deep sand, short scrambles, and a whole lot of space to yourself. Distances vary by how far you explore; a full traverse of the wash can run about 7.2 miles one way, but most hikers wander a shorter out-and-back from either end.

Route options

• Western approach: Start via Petroglyph Canyon/Mouse’s Tank, then bypass Mouse’s Tank on the left to drop into Fire Canyon Wash. You’ll hit a brief narrows with a short Class 3/4 downclimb (often aided by a rock stack), followed by another drop that’s bypassed on a Class 2 slope to the left. Beyond that, it becomes a quieter sandy-wash walk framed by sculpted red sandstone.
• Eastern approach: From Fire Canyon Overlook or the Silica Dome parking, descend into the wash for a more open canyon ramble. You can turn around anywhere or explore toward the narrows. Some hikers also link from Rainbow Vista.

What you’ll see

Vertical red walls, slickrock, shallow caverns, arches and pinnacles—all classic Aztec Sandstone. Near Silica Dome, the rock shifts from pale yellow to deep reds for striking color contrast. Watch the sand for animal tracks; if you’re lucky, you might spot Desert Bighorn Sheep.

Difficulty and hazards

This is off-trail travel. Navigation can be confusing in broad sandy bends and at side-canyon junctions. Expect deep sand (it feels like twice the effort), boulders, dryfalls, and short hands-on moves; a small rope can help at certain drops, and there’s a cairned bypass around a major drop-off downstream. Flash floods are a real risk—never enter with storm chances in the area.

Best time to hike

Go October–April for safer temps and softer light. Summer here is brutally hot with little to no shade. Start early, carry more water than you think you need, and check the weather—avoid the wash after recent or forecasted rain.

Is it for you?

If you want solitude, big geology, and a choose-your-own-distance ramble, Fire Canyon Wash delivers. It’s best for experienced hikers comfortable with route-finding and light scrambling. If you prefer marked paths, stick to the park’s signed short trails like Mouse’s Tank or Rainbow Vista and save this one for another visit.