A short hike to the Wild Horse Window natural bridge

This relatively short Wild Horse Window hike starts inside the Goblin Valley State Park, with the signposted and very obvious trail descending into South Temple Wash from the unsealed road that goes to a number of campsites.

The trail crosses the wash, leaving the Goblin Valley State Park and entering the somewhat uninspiringly-named Muddy Creek Wilderness (which is part of the San Rafael Swell). In the distance you can see the opening of the Wild Horse Window cave near the top of the slick rock.

Marked by occasional rock cairns, the route up the slick rock is not always obvious so it’s worth having a trace that ensures you’re going in roughly the right direction. To the left is the Wild Horse Canyon (another trail goes through this canyon).

Despite the arid landscape, a number of desert plants are flowering in a variety of colours.

The route continues to ascend, continuing up a wide drainage.

Eventually the Wild Horse Window comes into sight, as well as another large overhang.

Wild Horse Window – also known as the Eye of Sinbad, The Eye of the Swell, Spirit Cave and Skylight Arch – is named after a natural opening in the roof of a cave.

Once inside the shaded cave, you can see the large and natural skylight above.

There’s a nice view from inside the cave, looking back towards Little Gilson Butte.

Inside Wild Horse Window are what appear to be Barrier Style pictographs – they are fake and were painted around 2008.

Rather than following the same route back, I scramble up the rock next to Wild Horse Window.

I’m heading to the top of the window or skylight; with the appropriate gear (which I don’t have!) you can rappel down into the cave.

What this little detour does offer, even if you’re not planning to abseil into the cave, are some great views out to the south and east.

Jutting up from the wide plain to the east are Little Gilson Butte and Gilson Butte, while a bit further out is Capricorn Mesa and Flat Top. To the south looking across Wild Horse Canyon is Wild Horse Butte and Mollys Castle and on the horizon the tall peaks of Navajo Mountain, South Summit Ridge and Mount Ellen.

I find a route back down the slick rock to re-join the official route back to the car; looking back there’s a nice view of Wild Horse Window.

You can do this short hike in under an hour; I took a bit longer with the additional detour up to the top of the large cave.

Getting to Wild Horse Window

The Wild Horse Window trailhead near South Temple Wash is along an unsealed road which provides access to multiple camp sites. From Utah State Route 24 turn onto Temple Mountain Road, then left onto Goblin Valley Road after 5.2 miles (8.4km). After 0.3 miles (500m) turn left on an unnamed road and look for the trailhead after another 0.3 miles (500m). The unsealed road is suitable for all vehicles, but there is very limited parking near the trailhead.