Furniture Draw (2A II)

Location: San Rafael Swell, UT
Rating: Basic Canyon Hiking 2A II
Length: 2 to 5 hours
Mileage: ~3 to 6 miles depending on route variation
Longest Rappel: None
Start: Furniture Draw Trailhead / wash access
End: Out and back or loop variations
Permits: None typically required
Wet Suit: Not needed
Shuttle: No

Overview: Furniture Draw is a scenic and moderately adventurous slot canyon located within the San Rafael Swell of central Utah. The canyon features winding narrows, sculpted sandstone corridors, dryfalls, short scrambling sections, and stretches of open desert wash travel.

Compared to more heavily visited routes such as Little Wild Horse Canyon, Furniture Draw often provides a quieter and more remote canyon experience while still remaining accessible to non technical hikers.

The canyon is commonly explored as either an out and back hike or combined with nearby drainages for longer loop variations.

Approach: From Interstate 70, take Exit 131 (Temple Mountain / Goblin Valley exit area) and head north on the frontage and dirt road system toward the San Rafael Reef.

Follow the signed dirt roads toward Furniture Draw and the nearby slot canyon trailheads. The final access roads are typically graded dirt but may become rough, sandy, or muddy after storms. Passenger vehicles are often sufficient in dry conditions, though high clearance is helpful depending on recent weather.

Park near the designated trailhead or roadside pullout near the mouth of Furniture Draw.

From the parking area, follow the wash directly into the canyon as it gradually narrows into more confined sandstone slot sections.

Route Description: Furniture Draw begins as an open desert wash before gradually tightening into more confined sandstone narrows.

The canyon alternates between wider wash sections and tighter slot like corridors with occasional obstacles requiring light scrambling or route finding. Most obstacles remain non-technical, though conditions may vary after storms.

Furniture Draw is typically dry, though pools, mud, or standing water may occasionally be encountered after rainfall. Flash flooding remains a serious hazard due to the confined nature of the narrows.

Exit: Most parties return the same route, though loop variations through adjacent drainages and washes are possible for experienced desert navigators.

Furniture Draw offers a quieter and more remote alternative to some of Utah’s more heavily trafficked slot canyon hikes while still providing classic San Rafael Swell canyon scenery and accessible non technical exploration.