This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that sits less than two hours away from Moab in Green River, Utah. It is possible to do this as one long day hike, going point to point, although some hikers do this in two days, camping overnight along the trail. Of course I cant make a list of the best slot canyons in Utah without mentioning Antelope Canyon, which is famous for being one of the most beautiful places in America! Canyoneering: Begin with an unforgettable 4-6 hour hiking and rappelling experience in either Medieval Chamber (challenge level: easy) or Entrajo Canyon. Arches National Park is one of the top national parks in America: its a 73,234-acre wonderland of eroded sandstone fins, towers, ribs, gargoyles, hoodoos, balanced rocks, and, of course, arches northwest of Moab. rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . The crowds kind of ruined it for us. The uplift from the Colorado Plateau causes the water in bigger canyons to move more quickly, which cuts deeper canyon walls. The next half mile is a scenic section of the canyon with soaring sandstone walls. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Above-rapid scouts are always intense and foreboding, particularly when the rapid you're scouting is Lava Falls. You can hike the narrowest (and most fun) section of Little Wild Horse as a fast out-and-back hike, or do this as a loop, adding on a second slot canyon named Bell Canyon. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Spooky Gulch is one of the narrowest slot canyons around, only 10 inches wide in some spots! The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. The other 10 mile hike. Hiking within the narrow canyon, hopping and skipping over the creek, and watching as the canyon walls steadily grew higher and higher over us as we headed downstream was such a great experience. Be sure to check out. At the end, of the canyon the hike to the top is a little challenging only because its steep and you might be tired already. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. . This is a great one for beginners. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! Capitol Reef is breathtaking, but as you stare across the ledge you realize that some of the best scenery is only accessible by dropping in, 20, 50, sometimes 100 feet or more. It may not be the most impressive and colorful slot ever, but its still very photogenic and family friendly, and you can do it on a day trip from Moab. Next Group. The Needles, or tall hoodoos (rock spires) give this area of Canyonlands National Park its name. Even on a slot canyon hike, there are still plenty of parts on the trail where you'll be exposed to direct sun, so you might want sunscreen. Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. Yes, but it may be too long for younger kids. How a series of hiking and camping trips in Utahs parks and wilderness put Elisabeth Brentano on a transformative journey from urbanite to nature lover. Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, right near the border with Utah. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The short answer is kind of. Continue along the sandy bottom canyon navigating one ladder on the way) until you reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. 15. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards. Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Here are some of the best Zion slot canyons: These are some of the best slot canyons near Zion National Park. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. 14+ people - call for pricing and availability. From the Coyote Buttes/Wire Pass Trailhead, head down the wash until you reach an obvious slot. You can also get here by driving Burr Trail Road east from highway 12. Which slot canyon is your favorite? Best time to go: Spring and fall are ideal, but you can hike here year-round. Peekaboo Canyon is located in the Escalante area of southern Utah, about 1 hour from Bryce Canyon National Park. When people refer to Antelope Canyon, they are usually referring to Upper Antelope Canyon. Use this map if you are driving from Moab. 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Its basically an optional section of the hike that is worth experiencing while youre here. Mileage: 1.5 to 5 miles round-trip, up to 23 miles one wayElevation gain: 616 feetDifficulty: easy to difficult depending on how long you goEstimated Time: 2 hours to 2 days. Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. You can even see some great slot canyons near Zion National Park or Moab, if youre willing to drive a bit. Youll be using plenty of basic canyoneering and climbing skills such as stemming and bridging (if you dont know what these are, then this is likely a somewhat dangerous adventure for you). To help you choose a hike outside the parks, weve selected a few of the best. Location: Zion National Park Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows. Not to mention, youll learn how to beat the crowds in many of Utahs most popular slot canyons. Summers are hot. It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. Kanarra Falls is a permit-only hike and is limited to 150 hikers a day, so make sure to snag yours up ahead of time. This is a great trail to do year-round since the creek always flows and cools you off. Ding & Dang Canyon requires some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water. This is the quintessential slot canyon hike. We have not hiked Buckskin Gulch or Coyote Gulch yet, and dont know enough about them to offer any advice. The Narrows is the most famous Zion slot canyon, but there are also a bunch of other nice ones near the national park. Some of them are difficult to navigate and require technical skills, but many of them are family friendly and easy for beginners to hike. The Zion Narrows may be the most famous slot canyon Utah has to offer. Getting lost in the desert can be dangerous. See the beautiful layers of sandstone inside the slot canyon and then head to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge for even more amazing views. Explore one of 61 easy hiking trails in Moab or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. If youre interested in exploring slot canyons in Utah, youll want to start with these easier, non-technical routes. Follow the faint trail to the right once you exit the canyon until you reach the obvious start of Spooky Canyon. Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah. Julie Last updated: January 26, 2023 United States 50 Comments. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the trail was almost completely empty, so thats another thing it has going for it! You can click the icons to get directions and more info on each point of interest, but keep in mind some of the locations on this map may be approximate. Starting at the small town of Kanarraville, the Kanarrs Creek Canyon trail is an out and back trail thats 6 miles long and features two amazing waterfalls and a narrow slot canyon. When visiting Utah, make sure not to miss out on visiting Kanarra Falls, which is located less than an hour away from Zion National Park and is considered one of the best slot canyon hikes in Utah. Its definitely one of our favorite Utah canyons. 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. The short hike is free. The Ultimate Guide Dog Friendly Hikes in Escalante, Utah! Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. The slippery ledge at the start of the slot is the main challenge, and it could be dangerous if you fall. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of Moab's hidden gems - the "trail" is a creek the entire way, which leads to a 30 ft waterfall. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. I was deep in a slot canyon with walls like sheaves of shelf mushrooms, stretching my arms up toward geologic history. While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. Fun rock formations. Flash flood hazards are a real threat and floods kill people in slot canyons every year. An incredible canyoneering introduction, with two rappels: 100' into a hidden chasm, and 110' off a giant rock arch! Whatever you choose, it will be an adventure! Some people do this as a loop hike with Bell Canyon, which takes quite a bit longer, but the best parts of Little Wild Horse slot canyon can be seen in only an hour roundtrip, which is perfect for people wanting to skip to the good stuff. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit. This is a great trail to hike when Moab's weather is warmer, and you, the dogs, or kids need to . This is a third slot canyon you can visit as part of the Spooky/Peekaboo hike in Escalante. Getting to Moab, Utah, is an easy day's trip from Colorado Springs. Leave it better than you found it. For many hikers, this is a hike that makes the bucket list. Youll hike many different trails to reach the Joint Trail, unless you have an OHV permit to drive the Butler Flat Road (high-clearance 4WD required). Easily one of the most famous and stunningly beautiful slot canyons in the USA, Antelope Canyon is technically not located in Utah. This one is technically located in Arizona, but its very close to the southern border of Utah and you can visit it on a day trip from there. We have not hiked all of these slot canyons, at least not yet. Book a Trip Today! Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. Take advantage of the variety of climbing available to enjoy this scenic winter climbing destination. Unless youre really intent on seeing the Narrows, I would recommend going to one of the other places in this slot canyon Utah guide. . But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. This one is a pretty easy hike, and it has bright reddish-orange rock colors that can be really stunning with the right amount of sunlight. Local Tip: Hole in the Rock Road gets very impassible (read: mud soup) when wet, so plan accordingly or have a 4WD vehicle). Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Know how to stay safe and informed during your Utah trip and who is helping when you get into trouble. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. NoPet Friendly? Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places. Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. The Red Hollow Slot Canyon is a short and easy hike in Orderville, Utah, not too far from the popular Zion and Bryce national parks. This is another crazy slot canyon located near Peekaboo, and most people do these two slots as a loop hike since theyre located so close together. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. It's easy, it's great for all ability levels and ages, and . I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. The bad news is that the Narrows is getting extremely popular. Discover this 8.4-mile out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah. Some canyons feature sections requiring canyoneering or rock scrambling experience while others have you hiking through a creek or standing water. Actually, it is SW of Santa Fe. Yes, you can purchase it online.Pet Friendly? This hike is ideal for small children. Of all the stops on Burr, theres really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11.5 miles down from the starting point. 10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore. Located just down Hole-in-the-Rock Road from Zebra Slot Canyon are two thrilling slot canyons to explore. The out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. You should see the creek within 5 minutes, and be hiking in a generally SE direction. It would be hard to take a bad picture here. It leads to a pass along a mesa. This is Peek a Boo Canyon. 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. The entire time the trail will go in and out of the creek. Next Group, You dont have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. These sell out often, so youll want to plan ahead. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. Photo: Lukas Schlagenhauf. The easiest way to hike is to cross the river back and forth, seeking out narrow beaches along the way to give yourself a little break from wading in the fast-flowing river the entire way. The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Bone Trail in Moab gives you front row access to one of the largest and most diverse dinosaur track sites in North America. The closest slot canyons to Salt Lake City are about 3.5 hours away in the San Rafael Swell (Little Wild Horse Canyon and Ding and Dang Canyon). This slot canyon may not be as narrow as the others on this list, but its colorful walls make it very unique and well worth the visit. More information at go.nps.gov/archesticket. The trail starts in the SE corner of the parking lot do NOT follow the trail head sign for Professor/Sylvester Creek. The entirety of Buckskin Gulch canyon is one of the longest slots in the world. Wondering where to take pictures in Utah? Mileage: 8 miles round-tripElevation gain: 787 feetDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 4 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? One warning for Mary Jane Slot Canyon is that, like with any other slot canyon, you do NOT want to hike this during or right after a rainstorm due to the possibility of a flash flood. Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. We are planning a trip at the end of February, from Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert to Joshua Tree NP, and this looks like another cool area to explore. Entry Fee: $5 per person and $5 per dogPermits required? Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Also, dont build cairns or put pebbles in holes. Can be extremely dangerous places if you fall hiking through a creek standing... 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