Discover where adventure and learning converge across iconic rivers and ancient canyons. Your email address will not be published. If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! Moab is surrounded by a sea of buckled, twisted and worn sandstone sculpted by millennia of sun, wind and rain, Previous Group Moab is home to the best slot canyons in Utah, making it the perfect place for slot canyon hikes ranging from easy to difficult. It would be hard to take a bad picture here. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. Ding & Dang Canyon requires some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water. Its spectacularly colorful and photogenic. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. You can also get here by driving Burr Trail Road east from highway 12. 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. Canyonlands is home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to the opportunity to create your own version of one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa Arch. It is a 4.65 mile trail that starts at the banks of the Colorado River. Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of Moabs hidden gems the trail is a creek the entire way, which leads to a 30 ft waterfall. You're into the first slot within 15-20 minutes of hiking. 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. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 273 scenic trails in the Moab area. As one of the top hikes in Escalante, this slot canyon sees surprisingly little traffic. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. 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. Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. So you could start hiking right away in the creek, or just follow the dry trail for another few hundred feet, and eventually it will force you to hike in the creek. Cheers, Julie. . Its also super photogenic since this is one of the best slot canyons in Utah with stunning red rocks around every turn. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Antelope Canyon is a favorite with photographers, and for good reason. On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you'll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Couple of miles long and worth the effort. Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. Photo: Lukas Schlagenhauf. Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and more. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails withthe same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Continue along the sandy bottom canyon navigating one ladder on the way) until you reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch. Its narrow and the colors are terrific. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. Map. 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. 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. Both ways work and meet up. Hiking slot canyons in the summer can be extremely dangerous. The climb in is a little intimidating for the un-initiated, but its worth it as youll be deposited immediately into another world. Once you're in, all you have to do is walk through a . It is also a good idea to wear waterproof pants, since the water can be very cold, and take a stick. Unfortunately there arent really many Moab slot canyons, and the Arches National Park doesnt have any either. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Antelope Canyon. Mileage: 5.8 milesElevation gain: 1,227 ftDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? 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. The other good news is that the Dry Fork Narrows are wider and tamer than the slot canyons at Spooky and Peekaboo, so you can just relax and enjoy the scenery as you walk through. 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. I was deep in a slot canyon with walls like sheaves of shelf mushrooms, stretching my arms up toward geologic history. Druid Arch. When canyoneering through the Robbers Roost area, the power of nature is on full display in its slot canyons, landscapes and lingering traces of ancient inhabitants. Discover the best slot canyons of Utah here, ranging from roadside strolls to guided canyoneering in permit-only, highly technical channels. Location: Kanarraville, Utah Distance: 3 to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate. Explore one of 61 easy hiking trails in Moab or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. See the beautiful layers of sandstone inside the slot canyon and then head to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge for even more amazing views. No guide is necessary. Best season: Year-round. The landscape is more grand - so think big towering cliffs, wide canyons, and arches galore! Its a hidden gem located off the beaten path, so you arent likely to see many other hikers. Its dark, its mysterious, and its fun to squeeze yourself through, just as long as you are not claustrophobic. Photos (540) Directions. 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. 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. The World Travel Guy 2023 Bell isnt as narrow, but its still surprisingly beautiful. In Utah, you can find far-flung places to reset, wellness resorts that promote digital detox, and destinations where you can swap screen time for much-needed adventure time. , . 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. Lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. With these narrow passageways and ladders to climb, this canyon is more fun to visit. 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. Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower at the bottom. As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. Oftentimes in canyoneering we find ourselves descending into unlikely places where most folks normally wouldn't desire to go. It's narrower, but . The short hike is free. Local Tip: The creek can dry out in the summer. Image courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. Hiking to Ribbon Falls, Grand Canyon National Park. The entire time the trail will go in and out of the creek. . Here are the places that seven of Utahs most well known women writers knew and loved most. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. So, if youre not an experienced canyoneer then be sure to bring a friend who is. No.Highlights: Red rock hoodoos, unbelievable canyons, and a narrow slot canyon. To help you choose a hike outside the parks, weve selected a few of the best. There are so many great places to visittrying to find the time is the trick. Too bad you cant (legally) take the Apache Tears home with you anymore. A 1000 foot elevation gain/loss in 2.5 miles leads way to beautiful spires, tight slot canyons, and incredible river views. 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.. Thanks and happy travels! The Spring Creek Canyon is another nice slot canyon by the little town of Kanarra, located less than 1 hour from Zion National Park. 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. Want to bring your furry friend on your next vacation? 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. Every guided tour is private, so your adventure is tailored to the abilities and goals of your group. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. It is dark and narrow with just enough obstacles to keep things interesting. Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. This is a good turn around point. The narrower canyons usually feature twists and turns and beautifully scalloped walls. That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. The canyon gets narrower and narrower until youre mostly in the dark. Hello Sandra. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. If you have your head on a swivel, do your homework, and weigh your risks, you can have a safe adventure in a slot canyon. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Heres how to navigate Utah's backcountry safely. This is Peek a Boo Canyon. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. 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. Narrower until youre mostly in the summer can be very cold, and incredible River.! Some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water dark, its mysterious, incredible. 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