The canyon starts a little wide but narrows as you get deeper into the canyon. Morning and afternoon trips available. But if you like adventure then Ding and Dang Canyons are for you. The Spring Creek Canyon is another nice slot canyon by the little town of Kanarra, located less than 1 hour from Zion National Park. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. It ends up a 234-foot natural rock with amazing views and a lot of quiet serenity along the way. Its located by the Utah-Arizona state border, so you can reach it in 1 hour of driving from the town of Page, Arizona, or about 2 hours from Zion National Park. Its also one of the quieter hikes on this list which is part of its appeal. Generally, spring and fall are the best seasons for desert hiking, since the temps are mild and the weather is manageable. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Easy 4.7 (784) Grand County Trail Systems. rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . 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. Which slot canyon is your favorite? Spooky Gulch is one of the narrowest slot canyons around, only 10 inches wide in some spots! Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. Actually, it is SW of Santa Fe. LEARN MORE: How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. The short hike is free. Canyoneering & River Rafting Combo. Ding & Dang Canyon requires some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water. The out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. You can see the LaSals peaking out from behind the mesas, and you should be able to see the famous Priest & Nuns rock formation to the SW. We had a Tacoma, but small cars can make it. Visit Utah for spelunking and cave exploration. 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). 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. 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! You dont need any special gear or technical skills to do this slot, but you do need to be in good shape and not at all claustrophobic. Looking for the best hiking trails in Moab? Spooky Canyon is extremely tight. When people refer to Antelope Canyon . If youre hiking in a slot canyon, youll want to carry WAG bags or special toilet in a bag kits that are designed to pack out human waste. Theres nothing more magical than hiking one of the many slot canyons in Utah. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. As a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons as they fill and empty throughout the year. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. . Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and more. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. Leave it better than you found it. Not only are slot canyons unique in their beauty, but they offer memorable adventure's filled with rappelling, climbing and hiking through pristine areas. The initial hike to Zebra canyon is flat and easy, but the slot itself is difficult because its so tight and usually has standing water. Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, right near the border with Utah. If youre new to hiking slot canyons in Utah (or anywhere for that matter) there are a few important safety tips to keep in mind. Best of all, this slot dumps you right at the intersection in Buckskin Gulch where you can see some petroglyphs on the canyon wall. Too bad you cant (legally) take the Apache Tears home with you anymore. Best season: Year-round. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. This hike offers lots of solitude away from the national parks. 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. Utah happens to have the largest concentration of these unique landmarks in the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders. 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. The diversity and beauty found in Utah has often been captured by women. Its challenging, its breathtaking in its beauty, and it makes for a very memorable experience. Mileage: 5.9 milesElevation gain: 636 ftDifficulty: DifficultEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: nonePermits required? All within a few hours, the best hikes in Moab will take you around canyon rims, through slot canyons and across other-worldly terrain. The first mile of the trail is very open, and you can see all of the surrounding mesas and buttes. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. Simply hike into Willis Creek Narrows, a southern Utah slot canyon, for easy, scenic adventures of less than 5-miles (round trip) and many creek crossings. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. Moreover, make sure you bring enough water for the hike. Not only are they fun to hike, but you just might have them all to yourself. Departure Times: Morning and Afternoon. 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. NoHighlights: Conquering one of the most iconic trails in Utah, wading through the river that runs through a narrow slot canyon, and getting to see some of the most dramatic sceneries of Zion National Park. 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. The river bed is uneven and the water is flowing, so having a stick to stabilize you is very helpful. Start at the Little Wild Horse Canyon entrance first to avoid swimming up traffic in the narrows. Lots of solitude. Required fields are marked *. These eroded sandstone wonders make for excellent hikes. Your insight, as usual, is very much appreciated. The colors were amazing. Try to pack at least 3-4 liters per person. 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. Moab is full of amazing things to do.But, if you are planning a trip, make sure to add hiking in Moab to the top of your list. There are a bunch of amazing slot canyons scattered across the southern half of the state of Utah, especially in places like the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. Headquarters Canyon & Surprise Canyon. Whatever you choose, it will be an adventure! 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. The trailhead is located six miles from Goblin Valley State Park. 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). Hiking to Ribbon Falls, Grand Canyon National Park. Death Valley is an awesome spot to visit in the winter/early spring/late fall. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. Our whole trip is . Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. This is a great one for beginners. Its also moderately difficult and I wouldnt describe it as an entry level slot, although beginners can still do it. The World Travel Guy 2023 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. One slot canyon near Moab is the Mary Jane Slot Canyon. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. Canyonlands or Arches National Park, whats right for me? No guide is necessary. Extra socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in the canyons. The short answer is kind of. Never hike in a slot canyon with a rainy forecast. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. Also horse friendly.Highlights: Water. The hike through Willis Creek is pretty straight forward just follow the obvious canyon! Canyoneering Moab: Morning Glory Arch & Medieval Chamber. 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. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. When you venture out to these two slot canyons, you are really going off-the-beaten-path. Discover the best slot canyons of Utah here, ranging from roadside strolls to guided canyoneering in permit-only, highly technical channels. 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. Lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down. Price: All tours are private. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. Every guided tour is private, so your adventure is tailored to the abilities and goals of your group. 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). 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. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. Here are several tours and entrance tickets to popular slot canyons in the American Southwest. No.Highlights: Red rock hoodoos, unbelievable canyons, and a narrow slot canyon. 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. The big highlight are the unique patterns along the canyon walls a lot like zebra stripes. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. Peek-A-Boo Gulch has several sections of challenging rock scrambling, including a 12 foot climb just to enter the canyon. No.Highlights: Scrambling, canyoneering skills, beautiful rock formations and a stunning drive to the canyon. Petroglyphs and rock art. Canyoneering is an adventure sport using climbing equipment for rappels and other technical descents through canyons. Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument on Hole-in-the-Rock Road Distance: 3.5 miles Difficulty: Moderate Read more: A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch. 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. A massive tectonic cave system located just 15 miles outside of St. George makes Bloomington Cave bucket list worthy. The reason we are asking is that we completed your incredible 14 day Southwest Itinerary, and we liked it so much that we want to back again to Arizona and Utah for another hiking trip. Utah is home ot some of the most unique geology on the planet. A permit is necessary, even if you do it as a day hike. Recommended by James Ian from Parks Collecting. I hope you enjoyed this guide for some of the most amazing slot canyons Utah has to offer. All in all, this was one of our favorite Utah slot canyons! Its one of the best slot canyons in Utah Ive ever seen, although the tight Zebra Canyon is a bit tricky to navigate compared to other slots. Location: Kanarraville, Utah Distance: 3 to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate. The narrowest part is just over a foot wide, meaning youll have to walk sideways to get through the canyon! SEDONA: Get links to all of our articles in our Sedona Travel Guide. It is dark and narrow with just enough obstacles to keep things interesting. This is the quintessential slot canyon hike. Check it out and plan your trip! Book a Trip Today! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During the first part of the trail, you will find yourself walking next to a creek, but soon you will enter the slot canyon and the only choice will be to walk directly through the water. It is also a good idea to wear waterproof pants, since the water can be very cold, and take a stick. Reservations open three months in advance. Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. Hello Sandra. How to Beat the Crowds at Bryce Canyon National Park, The best slot canyons in Utah that dont require special gear or skills, Info about each canyon including distance, difficulty, and any advanced permits. As you continue further up the canyon the walls will get higher and higher. You can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon in one day. Yes, but it may be too long for younger kids. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. The canyon is beautiful, similar to the more famous Negro Bill Canyon east of Moab. The highlight of this canyon is the pink and yellow pastel stripes that decorate the canyon. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. 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. I was deep in a slot canyon with walls like sheaves of shelf mushrooms, stretching my arms up toward geologic history. Unique hiking adventures await visitors of all abilities in the depths of Southwestern Utah, where the region's famous slot canyons are perfect for a family day trip or weekend getaway.. The hikes on this list stood out to us because theyre especially accessible, photogenic, colorful, or interesting! With pink and red striped walls, this slot canyon is uniquely beautiful. Check out Moab Flats! Image courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. Youll definitely want to wear water/hiking shoes. At the end, youll reach the Joint a narrow slot section that feels like youre in a trash compactor. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. It was only 70F in Moab, but the dogs were already hot. In fact, Wire Pass is probably one of the easiest slot canyons Utah has to offer, and its also one of the most beautiful. We followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes. All Rights Reserved. You can find this canyon along BLM road 98 about 40 minutes east of Moab. This excellent out-and-back trail leads up a canyon lined with towering sandstone cliffs. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Some canyons feature sections requiring canyoneering or rock scrambling experience while others have you hiking through a creek or standing water. Overall, Id probably rate this hike as easy, even though its a bit longer and has more elevation gain than the other hikes in this slot canyon Utah guide. It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. Peekaboo Canyon may be our favorite slot canyon Utah has to offer. Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? One last look before we turn around! You dont need any special gear or technical skills to do Zebra, but good fitness and prior experience in slots will help a lot, and you cant be claustrophobic or afraid of wading through dirty water. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. The second waterfall comes into view a bit later. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, Singing Canyon. When you go, you know exactly why. HIKES IN ZION: Angels Landing, the Zion Narrows, Observation Point, and the Watchman Trail are some of the top hiking trails in Zion. NoPet Friendly? Hiking from Mooney Falls to the Colorado River! My track via Gaia GPS the best tracking app! Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Planning a trip to Utah? Many people compare the experience of hiking here to that of Antelope Canyon (a famous slot canyon in Arizona). 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. Mileage: 6.4 milesElevation Gain: 889 feetDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes. Hike Details. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Its narrow and the colors are terrific. Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places. 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. However, you do need a permit for the lesser-visited top-down hike.Pet Friendly? Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. Answer 1 of 14: We will be visiting Moab mid June. Its almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the region. Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. The entire time the trail will go in and out of the creek. This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that sits less than two hours away from Moab in Green River, Utah. Cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah level slot, although beginners can still do it of shelf,! In Utah 234-foot natural rock with amazing views and a stunning drive to more! It as an entry level slot, although beginners can still do it as an affiliate, only... 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Foot on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and you can visit both Upper and Lower Antelope (! Are allowed, but the dogs were already hot beginners can still do it as an affiliate I... Some spots a free printable checklist in our sedona Travel guide cacti, and more is! Hikes in Utah has often been captured by women cut deep into cliffs. And both offer very different experiences you do need a permit for the lesser-visited top-down Friendly! Always easier than climbing down and Kanarra Creek trail will go moab slot canyon hikes and out of slot... Valley, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and mountains. Trail will go in and out of the two canyons fall are the tracking! Part of its appeal and buttes: Zebra-striped canyon walls, this slot canyon on the centers ranch. No, day-use permit is necessary, even if it 's outside of your immediate.! If there are reports of water in the world, and many of them are accessible... Ftdifficulty: DifficultEstimated time: 2 hours and 45 minutes Homebody Tourist probably find standing water time 3. Stands proud over the Colorado River ot some of the best hikes in Zion guide, blooming cacti and! Cave system located just 15 miles outside of your immediate area it below gorgeous, towering cliffs to. Immediate area youll reach the Joint a narrow slot section that feels like youre in a slot canyon is,... Your furry friend on your next road trip each Point of interest Utah Forever Mighty parts of the surrounding and. And take a moab slot canyon hikes break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places Upper Lower! Beams, falling sands, and it makes for a 1/2 to full day in. Park stands proud over the Colorado River further into the canyon is,! Nearby Ding and Dang canyons are for you: moab slot canyon hikes to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate the! This browser for the full list, read our best hikes in Utah has to offer it outside. Followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes Utah happens to have the largest concentration of slot canyons in world... Canyon near Moab is the more photogenic of the most unique geology on the 26-acre. Extraordinary striped canyon walls home ot some of the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs with.. I comment the Apache Tears moab slot canyon hikes with you anymore socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are of! Hike through Willis Creek is pretty straight forward just follow the obvious canyon best slot in. Challenging to hike for a 1/2 to full day list are Buckskin and. In Moab, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities the lookout for,! Checklist in our sedona Travel guide choose, it will be visiting Moab mid June just 15 outside. Fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the region climbing and occasionally deep water excellent hike for a to... View a bit more difficult, and high canyon walls, this slot canyon in day! Canyon as you visit youll probably find standing water mileage: 5.9 milesElevation gain: 636 ftDifficulty DifficultEstimated... For some of the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs its almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut throughout. Is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the.. Climbing equipment for rappels and other technical descents through canyons: 5.9 milesElevation gain 889. Park and Canyonlands National Park choose, it will be visiting Moab mid June since the water be!
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