Gateway to some of the most stunning trailheads, remote camping and off-road driving in the country, this highway city in eastern Utah is the mecca for adventurists. Yes. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. The Narrows is closed during the spring months while the snow is melting, creating high flow rates in the river. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. Its also super photogenic since this is one of the best slot canyons in Utah with stunning red rocks around every turn. If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. Its also one of those hikes thats easy to get to and that features one narrow section that anyone who wants to do some stemming and chimneying will love. 15. Inside this guide to the best slot canyons in Utah youll get expert advice about how to safely enjoy these stunning environments. Kid friendly? Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places to view 360-degree gorges in the state of Utah. When people refer to Antelope Canyon . The first mile of the trail is very open, and you can see all of the surrounding mesas and buttes. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! The canyon is beautiful, similar to the more famous Negro Bill Canyon east of Moab. The narrower canyons usually feature twists and turns and beautifully scalloped walls. This travel guide is not a complete list of all Utah canyons, or every slot canyon hike in the United States, but these are just some of the best slot canyons in Utah in our opinion. Great hike for those seeking solitude. Other than that, youll need 4wd with clearance to get to the trailhead and should bring tons of water/sunscreen since this hike is full exposure. Canyonlands is home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to the opportunity to create your own version of one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa Arch. Required fields are marked *. Peekaboo Canyon may be our favorite slot canyon Utah has to offer. Theres one very tight slot thats great for chimneying or stemming, where you place your back against one wall and then push your feet on the other wall to cross the gap. No.Highlights: Scrambling, canyoneering skills, beautiful rock formations and a stunning drive to the canyon. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah. Want to visit the awesome Antelope Canyon? Located on Navajo lands, this slot canyon can only be visited on a tour. You can find this canyon along BLM road 98 about 40 minutes east of Moab. Have you hiked Buckskin Gulch? Flash Floods. When you venture out to these two slot canyons, you are really going off-the-beaten-path. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. Druid Arch. One last look before we turn around! Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon are arguably one of the best slot canyons in Utah, thanks to the unbelievably smooth walls and gorgeous lighting. Hiking. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, even if its outside of your immediate area. Some canyons feature sections requiring canyoneering or rock scrambling experience while others have you hiking through a creek or standing water. The canyon isnt really a slot canyon. Canyoneering is an adventure sport using climbing equipment for rappels and other technical descents through canyons. It was only 70F in Moab, but the dogs were already hot. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Hiking from Mooney Falls to the Colorado River! Find out about women-owned businesses you can support while adventuring in Utah. Although most slot canyons in Utah require special gear to visit, this list of the best Utah slot canyons features perfect hikes that you dont need any special training to enjoy. The trailhead is located six miles from Goblin Valley State Park. Explore one of 61 easy hiking trails in Moab or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. Moderate climbing, a fixed rope line, and extremely deep and narrow slots prevent this from being dog-friendly.Highlights: Super-narrow canyon, small climb in the beginning, an arch within the slot canyon. Oftentimes in canyoneering we find ourselves descending into unlikely places where most folks normally wouldn't desire to go. With pink and red striped walls, this slot canyon is uniquely beautiful. Its also one of the most popular hikes in the area so make reservations well in advance (like months) and do not expect to have this place all to yourself. SEDONA: Get links to all of our articles in our Sedona Travel Guide. Yes, but some scrambling is required so you may need to lift your dog.Highlights: over a mile of narrow slots, amazing canyon views on the backside of the canyon. Here are some of the best Zion slot canyons: These are some of the best slot canyons near Zion National Park. Thanks for looking! The Ultimate Guide Dog Friendly Hikes in Escalante, Utah! Getting stuck in a flash flood is deadly dangerous so never gamble with a rainy forecast even if the percentage is small. Visitors can explore the intricate and narrow gorges cut through beautifully layered sedimentary deposits over immense time in the Colorado Plateau, which provides the artistic foundation for the natural . Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. Best of all, this slot dumps you right at the intersection in Buckskin Gulch where you can see some petroglyphs on the canyon wall. To view it on your phone or computer, open Google Maps, click the menu button, go to Your Places, click Maps, and you will see this map on your list. It ends up a 234-foot natural rock with amazing views and a lot of quiet serenity along the way. Local Tip: Its a tight squeeze to get into the canyon, but it is doable if you hike sideways and think thin or stem (put both feet on the side of the canyon walls and walk up the walls) to get some more room. They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. Thanks and happy travels! Otherwise youll need to head towards Escalante (4 hours and 45 minutes away) or Kanab (also 4 hours and 45 minutes away) for slot canyons near Salt Lake City. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon passageway formed in rock (usually sandstone) that has been eroded by water over time, eventually creating a keyhole-like crack in the rock that is just wide enough for a person to fit through. Its dark, its mysterious, and its fun to squeeze yourself through, just as long as you are not claustrophobic. If youre interested in exploring slot canyons in Utah, youll want to start with these easier, non-technical routes. Lots of solitude. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. The other 10 mile hike. - . Next Group, You dont have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. LEARN MORE: How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. The short hike is free. These slot canyons are tucked away in a remote region of Capitol Reef National Park. Spring can see wet days, so check the forecast. Among the exceptionally beautiful slot canyon hikes in the southern San Rafael area, Little Wild Horse Canyon is a classic, as well as the perfect introduction both to non-technical canyoneering for just about anyone in decent shape. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. Need a place to stay in Moab? I hope you enjoyed this guide for some of the most amazing slot canyons Utah has to offer. Heres a Utah slot canyons map you can use to plan your own road trip. After months of being at home, weve all been disconnected from each other but connected permanently to our screens. The only con is that its extremely popular, so a tour guide is required nowadays, and you might have to make a reservation months in advance. 10. It's a good idea to download an offline map of your hiking area on an app like Google Maps, that way you can keep using it to navigate or find your position even when you're out of reception. On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you'll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Its also pretty easy and consists of a chill walk down a sandy-bottomed section of the canyon that starts off narrow and widens. Willis Creek is fun to explore. With tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling, this hike is fun for both kids and adults. A massive tectonic cave system located just 15 miles outside of St. George makes Bloomington Cave bucket list worthy. This is Peek a Boo Canyon. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Dont bust the crust. Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. Morning and afternoon trips available. As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. The Narrows is the most famous Zion slot canyon, but there are also a bunch of other nice ones near the national park. Death Valley is an awesome spot to visit in the winter/early spring/late fall. Or, hike the entire length of the Narrows from the top-down, either as a very long and challenging one-day hike or as a two day backpacking trip. Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Hole-in-the-Rock Road Distance: 5 miles Difficulty: The trail to the slot canyon is easy; the slot canyon can be challenging Read more: How to hike Zebra Canyon. Our friend was in a Camry and made it just fine, but slowly. From here, head either left or right until youre ready to turn around. Your email address will not be published. The hike to Zebra Slot is pretty well-defined, but youll certainly want to pack a GPS (and a dry bag). Nowadays you have to pay for a permit to do the Kanarra Creek hike because of its popularity, and there are a limited number of permits available per day. It offers a visually-stunning Utah slot canyons experience and makes the entire hike worthwhile. Photo: Lukas Schlagenhauf. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. This hike offers awesome scenery and lots of solitude away from the national parks. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit. The small park is absolutely worth a day-trip, and the loop hike around the main viewpoints is nice and family-friendly. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. And then when youre done, just go back the way you came. Ding & Dang Canyon requires some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water. Arches National Park developed a Climbing and Canyoneering Management Plan in . Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own. Answer 1 of 14: We will be visiting Moab mid June. Cell phone service is often non-existent and even SOS devices will struggle to send a signal in a deep slot canyon. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. This destroys the natural feel of the canyon and can disrupt the homes of animals. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. Check often, including the day you hike. Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Getting Here: Headquarters Canyon and Surprise Canyons are located side by side in Capitol Reef National Park. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. In Utah, you should always bring more water than you think you need. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. Youll want to wear water shoes for this hike 90% of the trail is hiking through the creek. Hiking within the narrow canyon, hopping and skipping over the creek, and watching as the canyon walls steadily grow higher and higher as you head downstream is such a great experience. Its a great little known place NW of Santa Fe. You dont need any special equipment for the hike, though you will need shoes that are comfortable when wet. The slippery ledge at the start of the slot is the main challenge, and it could be dangerous if you fall. The Kanarra Slot Canyon is unique on this list for also having two waterfalls inside, and its just a 1 hour drive from Zion National Park. Beautiful desert scenery. Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 to 1.5 hours, Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 hour. Book Now: Lower Antelope Canyon / Antelope Canyon X Tour. From here youll see the Dry Fork Narrows to the left (save that for last) and a slot canyon that starts about 10-feet up a rock wall. The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. Willis Creek features a creek, waterfall, and plenty of water to play in. You actually need to hike in the river that runs through the narrow slot canyon! PLACES TO GO IN ARIZONA: Go hiking in Sedona, visit Saguaro National Park and Petrified Forest National Park, explore Monument Valley, photograph Antelope Canyon, and visit the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. These eroded sandstone wonders make for excellent hikes. She'd rather be dirty than done up. A select number of permits are available for overnight trips. This excellent hike above the Colorado River Canyon leads to three arches, including Corona Arch, one of the largest arches in the Moab area. . Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. In fact, theres a second trailhead for the Spooky/Peekaboo canyons (called the Upper Dry Fork trailhead) that actually takes you right through the Dry Fork Narrows, that way you can see all three slot canyons in one loop hike! When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Price: All tours are private. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Another great area in a nearby state of NM is the Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument. The canyon starts a little wide but narrows as you get deeper into the canyon. Located near Orderville, this short and sweet hike is perfect for families. Its one of the most gorgeous slot canyons in Utah, featuring a heart shaped passage and arch ceilings. Unless youre really intent on seeing the Narrows, I would recommend going to one of the other places in this slot canyon Utah guide. Are some of the slot is pretty well-defined, but there are a... Uniquely beautiful will struggle to send a signal in a Camry and made it just fine, the... It could be dangerous if you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever.. 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Melting, creating high flow rates in the river that runs through the narrow canyon.