Discover the best slot canyons of Utah here, ranging from roadside strolls to guided canyoneering in permit-only, highly technical channels. We want to plan a trip to Kanab at some point to explore this area more. Visitors can explore the intricate and narrow gorges cut through beautifully layered sedimentary deposits over immense time in the Colorado Plateau, which provides the artistic foundation for the natural . About 1/2 mile in, make sure you turn left, following the creek. Highlights: The longest known slot canyon in the world. These magnificent hikes, located in the Dry Fork area of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument area, can be done individually, but they make for a killer loop you can tackle in one afternoon of 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 Ultimate Guide Dog Friendly Hikes in Escalante, Utah! 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. This is the quintessential slot canyon hike. The entire trip is around 12 miles, but the long distance is totally worth the effort. Oftentimes in canyoneering we find ourselves descending into unlikely places where most folks normally wouldn't desire to go. Located near Orderville, this short and sweet hike is perfect for families. If youre looking for colorful sandstone walls that will blow your mind, then youve got to check out the Zebra Slot Canyon in Escalante. The canyon isn't really a slot canyon. Beautiful desert scenery. Youll need a 4WD high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead, which is really just a stop along a dry river bed. Yes, you can purchase it online.Pet Friendly? It may not be the most impressive and colorful slot ever, but it's still very photogenic and family friendly, and you can do it on a day trip from Moab. With Moab Cliffs & Canyons, you can relax and enjoy the adventure, . I hope you enjoyed this guide for some of the most amazing slot canyons Utah has to offer. Spooky lives up to its namesake. Flash flooding is a real threat and I really cant stress this enough DO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON WITH A RAINY FORECAST. You're into the first slot within 15-20 minutes of hiking. This is a great trail to hike when Moab's weather is warmer, and you, the dogs, or kids need to . 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. You can do this if you plan to Loop the Fold, a one day road trip around a remote region of this park. 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. Have you hiked Buckskin Gulch? 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. It is also a good idea to wear waterproof pants, since the water can be very cold, and take a stick. 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. NoPet Friendly? 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. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. 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! You can turn around from here, or continue to the road. I love nothing more than to explore the weird world of sandstone. Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Yes, but there is an 8-foot ladder you will need to lift your dog down. Thanks and happy travels! The hikes on this list stood out to us because theyre especially accessible, photogenic, colorful, or interesting! As you navigate the curve, look for a short slot canyon along the north wall. Best season: Year-round. Here are the places that seven of Utahs most well known women writers knew and loved most. 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. 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. Also, dont build cairns or put pebbles in holes. When you venture out to these two slot canyons, you are really going off-the-beaten-path. The short answer is kind of. Slot canyons are more common in the San Rafael, Robbers Roost area southwest of Green River, about 90 minutes from Moab. In terms of pure enjoyment, these are our favorites on this list. 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. Its not only ungodly hot, but the monsoon season in the desert brings torrential rains to canyon systems. American Southwest Slot Canyons: On a Map, More Information about the American Southwest. The best Utah state parks will entice you with ice fishing, white sand and snow-dusted scenery. Book well in advancePet Friendly? Around the 2.0 miles mark the canyon curves to the southeast. Cheers, Julie. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah. You can even see some great slot canyons near Zion National Park or Moab, if youre willing to drive a bit. Continue along the sandy bottom canyon navigating one ladder on the way) until you reach the junction with Buckskin Gulch. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. You dont need a permit for the bottom-up hike. It leads to a pass along a mesa. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon passageway formed in rock (usually sandstone) that has been eroded by water over time, eventually creating a keyhole-like crack in the rock that is just wide enough for a person to fit through. Of course I have to mention the mother of all slot canyons, the Zion Narrows! 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. Want to visit the awesome Antelope Canyon? The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. If youve hiked in the desert youve probably seen the raised, bumpy soil that dots the landscape. Always pack out your trash, including toilet paper and dog poop! This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that is part of the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Gulch trek. 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. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. 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. The end result is a narrow canyon with very high walls. 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. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. The out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. A good one for beginners is Little Wild Horse Canyon near Goblin Valley. Located just down Hole-in-the-Rock Road from Zebra Slot Canyon are two thrilling slot canyons to explore. A slot canyon refers to a sandstone canyon that has a narrow width (usually a few feet wide or less). Its easy, its great for all ability levels and ages, and with the creek and high canyon walls, you can stay cool (almost) even during the hotter summer months. Mileage: 5.6 miles round-tripElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . Flash flood hazards are a real threat and floods kill people in slot canyons every year. Julie Last updated: January 26, 2023 United States 50 Comments. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Getting lost in the desert can be dangerous. Finally, we reached the Mary Jane slot canyon waterfall! But if you like adventure then Ding and Dang Canyons are for you. Lots of solitude. No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the trail was almost completely empty, so thats another thing it has going for it! All of the slot canyons in Utah are prone to dangerous (and deadly) flash flooding. Best time to go: Spring and fall are ideal, but you can hike here year-round. 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. Peek-A-Boo Gulch has several sections of challenging rock scrambling, including a 12 foot climb just to enter the canyon. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Whether youre a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure. If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Hiking. Happy travels! 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. The desert can be very cold in the winter. Its challenging, its breathtaking in its beauty, and it makes for a very memorable experience. 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