Always be aware of the weather forecast. Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. Mileage: 5.2 milesElevation gain: 377 ftDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 2.5 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? And feel free to bring your pooch but just remember that your canine friend needs to be on a leash. Its spectacularly colorful and photogenic. Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, near Cannonville Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Easy Read more: Hiking Willis Creek Canyon. The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! Use this map if you are driving from Moab. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. HIKES IN ZION: Angels Landing, the Zion Narrows, Observation Point, and the Watchman Trail are some of the top hiking trails in Zion. We decided to explore a little side canyon, and it was so cool! Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. 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. Death Valley is an awesome spot to visit in the winter/early spring/late fall. Which slot canyon is your favorite? Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. Easily one of the most famous and stunningly beautiful slot canyons in the USA, Antelope Canyon is technically not located in Utah. The good news is that the Narrows is open to all fitness levels because you dont have to hike to the end of the gorge. Before hiking through any of these slot canyons, it is important to check the weather. Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. Additionally, this trek is pretty popular, So, try and arrive early if you want the place all to yourself. Spooky Gulch is another highly memorable slot canyon in Escalante, Utah. That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. Youre rightthere is so much to do in this area. With Moab Cliffs & Canyons, you can relax and enjoy the adventure, . You dont need any special equipment for the hike, though you will need shoes that are comfortable when wet. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. While the "zebra" portion lasts roughly ten minutes or so. To help you choose a hike outside the parks, weve selected a few of the best. 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. A 1000 foot elevation gain/loss in 2.5 miles leads way to beautiful spires, tight slot canyons, and incredible river views. A waterfall and wildflowers. There is so much to do in this region, and hence wondering if you have plans to do another alternate itinerary for this region, with a list of other hikes that you plan to do. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. The Willis Creek Slot Canyon is another short and easy trail through some scenic narrows in southern Utah, with wavy vanilla-colored rocks and impressive passageways. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. The hike is dog-friendly and doable for school-age kids. There are several side canyons that allow for exploring tighter slot canyons. Duration: Approximately 5 hrs. If youre looking for how to enjoy the best slot canyons in Utah like a pro, and not a tourist, then youre in the right place! There are several obstacles along the way that require some rock scrambling or the use of ladders. Side note: Always be aware of the weather forecast before entering a slot canyon. Willis Creek is pure fun. Its a hidden gem located off the beaten path, so you arent likely to see many other hikers. All in all, this was one of our favorite Utah slot canyons! After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. Antelope Canyon. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Bell isnt as narrow, but its still surprisingly beautiful. Need a place to stay in Moab? Theres even a little wooden ladder thats great for pictures. If youve hiked in the desert youve probably seen the raised, bumpy soil that dots the landscape. Willis Creek features a creek, waterfall, and plenty of water to play in. Recommended by James Ian from Parks Collecting. Thanks and happy travels! This is a great trail to do when Moab is too hot, and you, the dogs, or kids need to cool off. The canyon is beautiful, similar to the more famous Negro Bill Canyon east of Moab. Your insight, as usual, is very much appreciated. A permit is necessary, even if you do it as a day hike. To help you choose a hike outside the parks, we've selected a few of the best. This is actually a living organism (called cryptobiotic soil)! Once you're in, all you have to do is walk through a . This is a great trail to do when Moab is too hot, and you, the dogs, or kids need to cool off. 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. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that sits less than two hours away from Moab in Green River, Utah. Buckskin Gulch (Wire Pass Trailhead) Location: Along the Utah/Arizona border, near Kanab. The Zebra Slot Canyon is a spectacular passageway in Escalante, Utah, with wild rock colors and wavy zebra striped walls. 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. This is a giant gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, and the Virgin River flowing through it. Its almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the region. Julie Last updated: January 26, 2023 United States 50 Comments. Local Tip: This is an EXTREMELY popular canyon, arrive before 8 am if you want any chance at solitude. This waterfall is a double-tongued waterfall halted by a chockstone, about 30 feet high. Headquarters Canyon is short, sweet, and super easy to hike, and in my opinion, the more thrilling of these two slot canyons. See Zion dusted in snow on a winter escape to the east side where youll likely have the whole place to yourself. Columnist Libby Kinder at the tail end of a hike through three slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante . Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Utah happens to have the largest concentration of these unique landmarks in the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders. This destroys the natural feel of the canyon and can disrupt the homes of animals. With these narrow passageways and ladders to climb, this canyon is more fun to visit. Look closely at the canyon walls to see the ancient petroglyphs (no the handprints are not ancient some tourist made them in 2019). 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. Check often, including the day you hike. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs. The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! But so nice and compact. It's narrower, but . Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. See the beautiful layers of sandstone inside the slot canyon and then head to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge for even more amazing views. Here are the places that seven of Utahs most well known women writers knew and loved most. Find a guide to take you canyoneering in Utah. Kid friendly? The slippery ledge at the start of the slot is the main challenge, and it could be dangerous if you fall. Image courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. My track via Gaia GPS the best tracking app! It leads to a pass along a mesa. Some canyons feature sections requiring canyoneering or rock scrambling experience while others have you hiking through a creek or standing water. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! Utah is filled with stunning desert landscapes and this rappelling tour takes visitors to the Medieval Chamber slot canyon just outside of Moab. , . Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? 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. The short hike is free. As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain, Previous Group Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, right near the border with Utah. Always pack out your trash, including toilet paper and dog poop! Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places to view 360-degree gorges in the state of Utah. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. 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). They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. The premiere way to experience Canyonlands is from the ethers. This hike follows an easy trail to a rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes. Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. Its located less than an hour from the popular Bryce and Escalante areas, so its definitely a good one to add to your Utah road trip! It is a 4.65 mile trail that starts at the banks of the Colorado River. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. The solitude is one of the appealing features of this trek. Your email address will not be published. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. Yes. You can hike the Zion Narrows as a quick day hike, hiking from the bottom-up. It takes most hikers about 2.5 hours to reach the waterfall. Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . Spooky Canyon is extremely tight. Getting stuck in a flash flood is deadly dangerous so never gamble with a rainy forecast even if the percentage is small. Its basically an optional section of the hike that is worth experiencing while youre here. As you continue further up the canyon the walls will get higher and higher. 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. Mileage: 5.8 milesElevation gain: 1,227 ftDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 273 scenic trails in the Moab area. With a bit of exploring, you may be able to find others as well! There are a few set hand lines and ropes to assist with some of the climbing. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. Slot canyons are more common in the San Rafael, Robbers Roost area southwest of Green River, about 90 minutes from Moab. For more detailed information on how to find the exact trailheads for these Utah slot canyons, you can check out my individual travel guides for each hike. Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and more. SEDONA: Get links to all of our articles in our Sedona Travel Guide. Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? Often overlooked in favor of other Utah slot canyons, Ding and Dang are well-worth doing if you like to scramble and climb around rocks. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Brimstone Gulch is what many Utah slot canyons aspire to be. A steep hike leads to a hidden valley high above Moab and Spanish Valley. The uplift from the Colorado Plateau causes the water in bigger canyons to move more quickly, which cuts deeper canyon walls. Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail. We have assembled a short list of some of the best slot canyons in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. The entire time the trail will go in and out of the creek. The canyon is fun and easy for all ages. 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. Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. The landscape is more grand so think big towering cliffs, wide canyons, and arches galore! Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, even if its outside of your immediate area. The end result is a narrow canyon with very high walls. When people refer to Antelope Canyon . Spooky Gulch is one of the narrowest slot canyons around, only 10 inches wide in some spots! In spite of the difficulty and awkwardness, we still had tremendous fun doing this hike, and its undoubtedly one of the best slot canyons in Utah! Our whole trip is . If there is any rain in the area, do not enter the slot canyon. Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. 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. Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. Sandstone walls wind and turn, taking you to another planet. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National ParkandCanyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. Fun to explore and extremely photogenic, slot canyons provide a unique hiking experience. The best Utah state parks will entice you with ice fishing, white sand and snow-dusted scenery. Check out Moab Flats! Fun rock formations. 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 . Our website uses cookies. The bad news is that the Narrows is getting extremely popular. Extra socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in the canyons. Book Now: Lower Antelope Canyon / Antelope Canyon X Tour. Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip. Also, many of the slot canyons in Utah are far removed from civilization, making things like rescues difficult. 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. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. 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. As a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons as they fill and empty throughout the year. Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah. 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