More information at go.nps.gov/archesticket. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. 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). The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. The canyon starts a little wide but narrows as you get deeper into the canyon. Its narrow and the colors are terrific. Local Tip: There are three pools in Dang Canyon that are often filled with water, so be prepared to get wet. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. Slot canyons are natural rock passageways with all different colors of red, yellow, pink, and purple, and some of them are so tight and awkward you have to walk sideways or crawl, like a playground for grownups. The canyon is fun and easy for all ages. For much of this hike, you will be walking in the Kanarra Creek, so water shoes are recommended. Antelope Canyon is a favorite with photographers, and for good reason. Peekaboo Canyon may be our favorite slot canyon Utah has to offer. Thanks and happy travels! This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that sits less than two hours away from Moab in Green River, Utah. Brimstone Gulch is what many Utah slot canyons aspire to be. Get your app, Hiking the Panorama Trail, Kodachrome Basin State Park. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. Recommended by James Ian from Parks Collecting. Take the Behind the Reef Road for 1.5 miles until you reach signs for nearby Bell Canyon. Local Tip: There are a lot of other amazing things to do in the San Rafael Swell, so its worth it to spend a couple of days exploring this under-rated area. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. Its a hidden gem located off the beaten path, so you arent likely to see many other hikers. As always, be prepared for desert hiking conditions with extra water, sunscreen and sun hats, and a good map or GPS unit. Getting Here: Headquarters Canyon and Surprise Canyons are located side by side in Capitol Reef National Park. Spooky Canyon is extremely tight. Actually, it is SW of Santa Fe. The crowds kind of ruined it for us. Continue along the sandy bottom canyon navigating one ladder on the way) until you reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch. These water-cut canyons transport you to another world. If there is any rain in the area, do not enter the slot canyon. Best for: Families can totally do this slot. Heres a Utah slot canyons map you can use to plan your own road trip. Take advantage of the variety of climbing available to enjoy this scenic winter climbing destination. To help you plan your visit, we also have guides to the best things to do in Sedona, the best hikes in Sedona, and how to plan the perfect Sedona itinerary. Willis Creek is pure fun. As you navigate the curve, look for a short slot canyon along the north wall. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. The World Travel Guy 2023 Whatever you choose, it will be an adventure! Willis Creek isnt as narrow as other canyons on the list, but its grand and has a bit more vegetation than other slot canyons in Utah. Also, many of the slot canyons in Utah are far removed from civilization, making things like rescues difficult. Canyoneering: Begin with an unforgettable 4-6 hour hiking and rappelling experience in either Medieval Chamber (challenge level: easy) or Entrajo Canyon. 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. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. For many hikers, this is a hike that makes the bucket list. Follow a winding canyon stream out to the Colorado River. All within a few hours, the best hikes in Moab will take you around canyon rims, through slot canyons and across other-worldly terrain. So happy exploring this canyon for my 4th time! Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, Singing Canyon. When you go, you know exactly why. 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. It is a 4.65 mile trail that starts at the banks of the Colorado River. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. As we set up camp near Arches National Park, the sun lit up the bluffs and the light melted into the western horizon. The Peekaboo Slot Canyon is like an adult playground, with lots of fun obstacles to cross and wonderful red rock walls to admire. Location: Zion National Park Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows. 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. rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . This is a great trail to do year-round since the creek always flows and cools you off. One last look before we turn around! Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. It was only 70F in Moab, but the dogs were already hot. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. Not only are slot canyons unique in their beauty, but they offer memorable adventure's filled with rappelling, climbing and hiking through pristine areas. As soon as you turn onto the dirt road you should see a sign Ranch Road Dead End but keep driving and follow the directions. Bell isnt as narrow, but its still surprisingly beautiful. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. This hike is ideal for small children. The creek trail leads to an incredible three-story waterfall. You can hike the Zion Narrows as a quick day hike, hiking from the bottom-up. However, its the low season for tourism, so many of the more popular slot canyons in Utah are empty this time of year. Its also one of the quieter hikes on this list which is part of its appeal. Best time to go: Spring and fall are ideal, but you can hike here year-round. Professor Creek is a small stream that joins the Colorado River 20 miles northeast of Moab. It is also a good idea to wear waterproof pants, since the water can be very cold, and take a stick. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. Its definitely one of our favorite Utah canyons. With tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling, this hike is fun for both kids and adults. She'd rather be dirty than done up. It offers a visually-stunning Utah slot canyons experience and makes the entire hike worthwhile. 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. Our hiking trips are for very small groups (no larger than six), which is why they cost a bit more than outfits that group together as many as thirty people. 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. We want to plan a trip to Kanab at some point to explore this area more. You can turn around at any point, but most people hike/ wade as far as the Wall Street section, which is three miles in. . While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. 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. 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. Willis Creek was a blast to hike. The trailhead is located six miles from Goblin Valley State Park. This destroys the natural feel of the canyon and can disrupt the homes of animals. Also aim to visit between March and November. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. The most important thing to know about hiking a slot canyon is the weather. This type of maneuver was new to us, but we had a lot of fun learning how to do it. The history in question was the Great Unconformity, a special spot where dark, smooth . I hope you enjoyed this guide for some of the most amazing slot canyons Utah has to offer. Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? 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! Most of these are non-technical, but a few are well off the beaten path, so they may put your navigation skills to the test. The Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of Moab's hidden gems. 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. The big highlight are the unique patterns along the canyon walls a lot like zebra stripes. No.Pet Friendly? Antelope Canyon. They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. Utah is home ot some of the most unique geology on the planet. Start at the Little Wild Horse Canyon entrance first to avoid swimming up traffic in the narrows. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. As you continue further up the canyon the walls will get higher and higher. SEDONA: Get links to all of our articles in our Sedona Travel Guide. Have you hiked Buckskin Gulch? Some canyons feature sections requiring canyoneering or rock scrambling experience while others have you hiking through a creek or standing water. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. We spent the next morning riding our e-bikes along the Moab Can yon Pathway, This paved trail loosely follows Old Highway 191 past Arches National Park and . Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. There are a few set hand lines and ropes to assist with some of the climbing. Its a great little known place NW of Santa Fe. Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? The Pastel Canyon, also called the Pink Canyon, is photogenic slot canyon to explore in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. The desert is a delicate place and waste does not break down, so packing out your poo (or using toilets at trailheads) is the best way to respect this fragile environment. Canyoneering & River Rafting Combo. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Unless youre really intent on seeing the Narrows, I would recommend going to one of the other places in this slot canyon Utah guide. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! Flash flood hazards are a real threat and floods kill people in slot canyons every year. You can also get here by driving Burr Trail Road east from highway 12. We decided to explore a little side canyon, and it was so cool! NoPet Friendly? The canyon isn't really a slot canyon. Additionally, this trek is pretty popular, So, try and arrive early if you want the place all to yourself. Established in 1997, Desert Highlights has pioneered many of Moab's best canyoneering tours. Your insight, as usual, is very much appreciated. This leads to smaller crowds and a more peaceful hike! 15. Transform body, mind and spirit around the theme: Ignite the Flame Within. Follow along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to find your own Tribe. 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. This excellent out-and-back trail leads up a canyon lined with towering sandstone cliffs. So, if youre not an experienced canyoneer then be sure to bring a friend who is. Similar to the Zion Narrows, but on a smaller scale, this makes another great slot canyon destination. UTAHS MIGHTY 5: Utahs Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks in Utah. Zebra Slot Canyon is definitely one of the more adventurous slot canyons in Utah. Planning a trip to Utah? Answer 1 of 14: We will be visiting Moab mid June. Travel quite a ways down a series of rocky ledges until you reach a basin. Plan a winter Southeastern Utah trip. Leave it better than you found it. Its possible to hike the entire Narrows in one full day if you get a permit in advance, but most people just go partway and then turn back (no permit required for that). Need a place to stay in Moab? NoHighlights: Two beautiful waterfalls (one which youll see earlier in the trail and one inside the slot canyon at the end) + a natural waterslide perfect to grab a quick lunch at. To reach the Joint, youll wander through the needle filled canyons and get a real sense of the vast, unique beauty that the Needles District has to offer. Here are the places that seven of Utahs most well known women writers knew and loved most. Your email address will not be published. The entirety of Buckskin Gulch canyon is one of the longest slots in the world. Clutching my hat with both hands, the wind roared and whipped by as I stood atop a rugged red rock formation, gazing out into the vastness of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. Moab visitors are conveniently close to what is considered one of the world's best canyoneering destinations. Generally, spring and fall are the best seasons for desert hiking, since the temps are mild and the weather is manageable. After months of being at home, weve all been disconnected from each other but connected permanently to our screens. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. We have assembled a short list of some of the best slot canyons in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. A Grand Adventure: Part 4. Not only are they fun to hike, but you just might have them all to yourself. The landscape is more grand - so think big towering cliffs, wide canyons, and arches galore! Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. Beautiful desert scenery. Want to avoid the Utah national park crowds? There are a lot of pebbles and rocks in the creek, so its better if you have fully closed water shoes like these so you dont have to stop to get the rocks out of your shoes. 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. The trail starts in the SE corner of the parking lot do NOT follow the trail head sign for Professor/Sylvester Creek. You can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day. To get there, take the Zion shuttle to the end and get off at the Temple of Sinawava stop. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National ParkandCanyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons in the Dry Fork area of Escalante Utah offer backpacking hikers scenic views without special gear or know-how. We followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes. Distance: 8.1 miles for the full Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon Loop Difficulty: Moderate Time: 4 to 6 hours Getting Here: This hike is located in the San Rafael Swell of Utah. Whether you join us for canyoneering, rock climbing, packrafting or hiking, rest assured you've picked Moab's top guide service with tours that are . You actually need to hike in the river that runs through the narrow slot canyon! Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! Dont bust the crust. The narrowest part is just over a foot wide, meaning youll have to walk sideways to get through the canyon! We have not hiked Buckskin Gulch or Coyote Gulch yet, and dont know enough about them to offer any advice. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. Yes. The Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon loop is located in the San Rafael Swell, just a 10 minute drive from Goblin Valley. 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Some of the slot canyons map you can hike here year-round i hope you this... To play in on a hotter day favorite slot canyon along the north wall there a. Are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver learn how to all... Higher and higher canyon Utah has to offer Utah to see many other hikers usual, very! Narrower, but we had a lot like zebra stripes through a moab slot canyon hikes or standing water slot... A few set hand lines and ropes to assist with some of the lesser known Utah canyons are removed... Beyond the Narrows and Angels Landing in slot canyons in the Narrows and Landing! Of these links, i get a small stream that joins the Colorado 20. A ways down a series of rocky ledges until you reach a Basin unique geology on Burr! Along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to put all this... Rain is in the Kanarra Creek, so you arent likely to see on your next Road trip removed... 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