It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. Just be aware that this hike is a bit more technical by nature. 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. Our whole trip is about 11 days and we will be traveling down to Zion and Bryce as well so we really dont have a preference on location. This hike offers awesome scenery and lots of solitude away from the national parks. 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. The Ultimate Guide Dog Friendly Hikes in Escalante, Utah! Book Now: Lower Antelope Canyon / Antelope Canyon X Tour. The climb in is a little intimidating for the un-initiated, but its worth it as youll be deposited immediately into another world. A maze of soaring sandstone towers surrounds you on this moderate hike to a high ridge above Onion Creek. For many hikers, this is a hike that makes the bucket list. Wondering where to take pictures in Utah? Hiking the Narrows involves walking in water, and its 16 miles total. This is a great one for beginners. Are you ready to go exploring? There are a bunch of good slot canyons near Zion National Park, and its possible to combine one or two of these with a visit to the park. 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. You can find this canyon along BLM road 98 about 40 minutes east of Moab. Its also one of the quieter hikes on this list which is part of its appeal. We have not hiked all of these slot canyons, at least not yet. The canyon is fun and easy for all ages. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. All Rights Reserved. The Needles, or tall hoodoos (rock spires) give this area of Canyonlands National Park its name. That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. Mileage: 5.9 milesElevation gain: 636 ftDifficulty: DifficultEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: nonePermits required? The landscape is more grand so think big towering cliffs, wide canyons, and arches galore! 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. Continue along the sandy bottom canyon navigating one ladder on the way) until you reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch. Extra socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in the canyons. 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. American Southwest Slot Canyons: On a Map, More Information about the American Southwest. After months of being at home, weve all been disconnected from each other but connected permanently to our screens. Similar to the Zion Narrows, but on a smaller scale, this makes another great slot canyon destination. 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. If you are planning a road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Recommended by Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Moreover, make sure you bring enough water for the hike. Its spectacularly colorful and photogenic. Dont trash the canyon! 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. 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. This excellent hike above the Colorado River Canyon leads to three arches, including Corona Arch, one of the largest arches in the Moab area. This is Peek a Boo Canyon. 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. Often filled with water, wetsuits are recommended for this hike. Hike Details. The trailhead can also be a bit tricky to find the first time. Its one of the most gorgeous slot canyons in Utah, featuring a heart shaped passage and arch ceilings. The creek flows year-round, along a canyon (known as Mary Jane Canyon) which is shallow for most of its length but one mile of the central section becomes fairly narrow and up to 100 feet deep.The walls have interesting rock textures and colors, different to most true slot canyons as the rock is darker . Season: April - November. Let us know about your experience in our comment section below. Slot Canyons Near Moab & Arches National Park, Utah Hiking Guide Best Utah Hikes & Trails, Zion Hikes Guide Best Hikes In Zion National Park, 16 Great Zion Hikes: Best Hikes In Zion National Park, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine, Breckenridge Troll Hike: Isak Heartstone Location & Directions, Acatenango Volcano Hike: Volcan De Fuego Guatemala, Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! Be sure to check out. Best time to go: Spring and fall are ideal, but you can hike here year-round. , . Utah happens to have the largest concentration of these unique landmarks in the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, Singing Canyon. When you go, you know exactly why. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. Almost anyone will enjoy this family-friendly Utah slot canyon. Also, dont build cairns or put pebbles in holes. While the "zebra" portion lasts roughly ten minutes or so. 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. To help you choose a hike outside the parks, weve selected a few of the best. Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places to view 360-degree gorges in the state of Utah. It was only 70F in Moab, but the dogs were already hot. Wire Pass is a side canyon that intersects with Buckskin Gulch, and its actually easier to enter Buckskin through this route, since you spend much less time walking in the hot sun. As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. No guide is necessary. I hope you enjoyed this guide for some of the most amazing slot canyons Utah has to offer. So happy exploring this canyon for my 4th time! 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. 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. Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Moab is surrounded by some of Utah's best national parks and some of the best hikes in the USA. Please tag along! There have been numerous rescues here, so I wouldnt recommend going unless you have someone experienced to help. Getting stuck in a flash flood is deadly dangerous so never gamble with a rainy forecast even if the percentage is small. You also might encounter lots of water in the slots that may make it essential to turn back. When people refer to Antelope Canyon, they are usually referring to Upper Antelope Canyon. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. Location: Kanarraville, Utah Distance: 3 to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate. More Information: Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail. 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. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. Of course I have to mention the mother of all slot canyons, the Zion Narrows! Youll definitely want to wear water/hiking shoes. Hike Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and More with Wildland Trekking - Expert Local Guides, #1 on Trip Advisor. 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. Although you dont need any technical gear, a helmet isnt a bad idea since youll be climbing up and down 10-foot sections of rock. Try to pack at least 3-4 liters per person. Canyoneering & River Rafting Combo. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. Best for: Families can totally do this slot. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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. Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. 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. A select number of permits are available for overnight trips. While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. Our website uses cookies. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. These water-cut canyons transport you to another world. 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