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. 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. So important I said it twice. This is a third slot canyon you can visit as part of the Spooky/Peekaboo hike in Escalante. Our whole trip is . Hikers have died because they were caught by a flash flood while in some of these canyons. Mileage: 0.62 milesElevation Gain: 98 feetDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 15 minutes. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Local Tip: This is an EXTREMELY popular canyon, arrive before 8 am if you want any chance at solitude. Its almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the region. Watch this video of a guided experience canyoneering in the remote Robbers Roost. Duration: Approximately 5 hrs. 14+ people - call for pricing and availability. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! 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. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you'll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. The premiere way to experience Canyonlands is from the ethers. Not only are they fun to hike, but you just might have them all to yourself. Headquarters Canyon & Surprise Canyon. Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. You can even see some great slot canyons near Zion National Park or Moab, if youre willing to drive a bit. Couple of miles long and worth the effort. 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. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. 10. Departure Times: Morning and Afternoon. There are more than 1,000 slot canyons in the deserts of Utah, which actually has the densest collection of slot canyons in the world. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. Getting lost in the desert can be dangerous. 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. With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. The river bed is uneven and the water is flowing, so having a stick to stabilize you is very helpful. Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks like Utahs layered sedimentary deposits. At the end, youll reach the Joint a narrow slot section that feels like youre in a trash compactor. The result are winding, smooth canyon walls that are simply mesmerizing. Before hiking through any of these slot canyons, it is important to check the weather. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. Map. The climb in is a little intimidating for the un-initiated, but its worth it as youll be deposited immediately into another world. Leave it better than you found it. Dont become a statistic! Its also super photogenic since this is one of the best slot canyons in Utah with stunning red rocks around every turn. Flash flooding is a real threat and I really cant stress this enough DO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON WITH A RAINY FORECAST. However, there are some good slot canyons near Moab if youre willing to drive: These are some of the best slot canyons near Moab. And then when youre done, just go back the way you came. 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 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). I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. 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. 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. The answer is yes. Affiliate Disclosures Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Thanks for your support. 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. Unfortunately, Moab doesnt have too many slot canyons. You can stop and turn around whenever you want. This strenuous hike is most easily accessible by hiking from the river to the rim of the canyon. Yes, you can purchase it online.Pet Friendly? Even on a slot canyon hike, there are still plenty of parts on the trail where you'll be exposed to direct sun, so you might want sunscreen. It takes most hikers about 2.5 hours to reach the waterfall. Click the star next to the title of the map to add this map to your Google Maps account. Yes, but unlimited. Some locals of Boulder, Utah, call this slot canyon on the Burr Trail, Singing Canyon. When you go, you know exactly why. Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and more. Sequoia - Kings Canyon; Joshua Tree National Park; Often filled with water, wetsuits are recommended for this hike. Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . American Southwest Slot Canyons: On a Map, More Information about the American Southwest. Scratching your name on the walls and destroying ancient rock art with your own markings are actually federal felonies, so dont do it. Which slot canyon is your favorite? Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that is part of the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Gulch trek. The diversity and beauty found in Utah has often been captured by women. Hike Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and More with Wildland Trekking - Expert Local Guides, #1 on Trip Advisor. Fun to explore and extremely photogenic, slot canyons provide a unique hiking experience. 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. No special equipment is needed, although a pair of neoprene or wool socks always come in handy to stay warm. Try to pack at least 3-4 liters per person. She'd rather be dirty than done up. There are parts where you have to shuffle sideways just to fit your body through the slot, and backpacks have to be carried awkwardly overhead. Slot canyons are one of the top, hidden treasures found within Southern Utah's diverse redrock landscape. Brimstone Gulch is what many Utah slot canyons aspire to be. The Buckskin Slot Canyon is great for photos, and its also notable for having some petroglyphs that are easy to reach. 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. 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. UTAHS MIGHTY 5: Utahs Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks in Utah. This excellent out-and-back trail leads up a canyon lined with towering sandstone cliffs. Start at the Little Wild Horse Canyon entrance first to avoid swimming up traffic in the narrows. There are several side canyons that allow for exploring tighter slot canyons. Dont bust the crust. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. 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. Almost anyone will enjoy this family-friendly Utah slot canyon. Reservations open three months in advance. Best season: Year-round. Visit Utah writer Kristen Pope met Dr. Jayne Belnap, one of the worlds top experts on biological soil crusts, to learn about the importance of biocrusts to Utah's desert landscapes, and how to protect them. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards. Hire a tour guide, drive your own 4WD vehicle, or hike to a high-lookout point to take in the grandeur of the superb stratigraphic mesas in the distance. Best done if youre backpacking in the Needles District of the park, this trail features a narrow, straight, steep mini canyon thats a satisfying sight. Discover this 8.4-mile out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah. Hiking. 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. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. 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. 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. There have been numerous rescues here, so I wouldnt recommend going unless you have someone experienced to help. The trailhead is located six miles from Goblin Valley State Park. It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. , . With tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling, this hike is fun for both kids and adults. Youll definitely want to wear water/hiking shoes. 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. The colors were amazing. 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. The small park is absolutely worth a day-trip, and the loop hike around the main viewpoints is nice and family-friendly. Summers are hot. As you continue further up the canyon the walls will get higher and higher. The Zebra Slot Canyon is a spectacular passageway in Escalante, Utah, with wild rock colors and wavy zebra striped walls. 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. Find out about women-owned businesses you can support while adventuring in Utah. Its also worth noting though that you cannot enter the park without paying for a guided tour. If youve hiked in the desert youve probably seen the raised, bumpy soil that dots the landscape. Lower Antelope Canyon: A Photographic Tour, Upper Antelope Canyon: A Journey in Photos, A Photojourney through Peek-A-Boo Gulch and Spooky Gulch, How to Hike the Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon Loop, Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows, How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park, 10 Days in the American Southwest: The Ultimate Road Trip, Two Week American Southwest Road Trip: Grand Canyon & Utahs Mighty 5, Grand Canyon Road Trip: 5 Itineraries from Las Vegas. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. I hiked that one about 5 years ago, so I dont have a blog post for that trail. 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. 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. From narrow slot canyons to grand sweeping vistas, sandstone plateaus to meandering rivers, San Rafael Country and the San Rafael Swell are home to some of the most spectacular scenery in Utah. Happy travels! The crowds kind of ruined it for us. Both of these places can be combined into a full day adventure, which you can do as a day trip from Moab or when driving between Moab and Capitol Reef National Park. The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. 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