White Owl Canyon, NV

This Canyon is so named because it is home to many Barn Owls. During this hike, you can see Owl nests, owl poop, owl pellets, and if you are lucky, you may see an owl. Either way, this is a gem of a slot canyon located in Lake Mead National Recreation Area.


From the parking area at 3 Island Overlook, a trail takes off towards the parking lot's northwest end. The trail goes down towards the lakeshore and follows the lakeshore for a short distance. The trail heads northwest initially, then turns and heads southwest towards the entrance to White Owl Canyon. Head into the canyon and follow the wash. Before too long, you will find yourself in a narrow slot canyon composed of conglomerate rock. Look in the canyon overhangs for signs of wildlife. Look higher on the canyon walls, and you may see Barn Owl Poop in the form of "whitewash" on the canyon walls. Look under these spots of poop for Owl Pellets. These narrows last for about 1/4 mile. Then the canyon opens up, and a culvert runs underneath Lakeshore Road. Continue through the culvert and keep hiking upstream.The narrows are more spectacular below Lakeshore road, but above the road, you will go through some more narrows and eventually come to an interesting looking natural bridge. This bridge appears to have formed when a giant part of the canyon wall collapsed in just the right spot forming a natural bridge. Past the upper narrows, there are two more culverts. These are going underneath the River Mountains Loop Trail, a paved 31-mile trail popular with bikers. Past the culverts, under the River Mountains loop, the wash opens up. Continue upstream as far as you like, but the narrow part of White Owl Canyon is behind you.

When you are ready to turn around and follow the washback the way you came, eventually ending up back at the 3 Island Overlook Trailhead.

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