Thanks for looking! With tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling, this hike is fun for both kids and adults. Its also one of the quieter hikes on this list which is part of its appeal. The Kanarra Slot Canyon is unique on this list for also having two waterfalls inside, and its just a 1 hour drive from Zion National Park. All Rights Reserved. The diversity and beauty found in Utah has often been captured by women. Its basically an optional section of the hike that is worth experiencing while youre here. 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. That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. It leads to a pass along a mesa. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. Getting to Moab, Utah, is an easy day's trip from Colorado Springs. Because of the remote location, there is a chance you could have these two slot canyons all to yourself (we did and it was a blast!). Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. This is actually a living organism (called cryptobiotic soil)! You can stop and turn around whenever you want. However, its the low season for tourism, so many of the more popular slot canyons in Utah are empty this time of year. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. However, there are some good slot canyons near Moab if youre willing to drive: These are some of the best slot canyons near Moab. Make your way over a few rock obstacles (youll need to use your hands) until you empty out on the backside of the canyon. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. The big highlight are the unique patterns along the canyon walls a lot like zebra stripes. Our website uses cookies. Side note: Always be aware of the weather forecast before entering a slot canyon. If youre new to hiking slot canyons in Utah (or anywhere for that matter) there are a few important safety tips to keep in mind. Its dark, its mysterious, and its fun to squeeze yourself through, just as long as you are not claustrophobic. Try to pack at least 3-4 liters per person. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. From the Coyote Buttes/Wire Pass Trailhead, head down the wash until you reach an obvious slot. Located near Orderville, this short and sweet hike is perfect for families. This is a great trail to do when Moab is too hot, and you, the dogs, or kids need to cool off. NoPet Friendly? This type of maneuver was new to us, but we had a lot of fun learning how to do it. Here are some of the best Zion slot canyons: These are some of the best slot canyons near Zion National Park. As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. Heres a Utah slot canyons map you can use to plan your own road trip. The highlight of this canyon is the pink and yellow pastel stripes that decorate the canyon. Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places to view 360-degree gorges in the state of Utah. Yes, but there is an 8-foot ladder you will need to lift your dog down. Actually, it is SW of Santa Fe. Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip. I love nothing more than to explore the weird world of sandstone. Canyoneering & River Rafting Combo. This is not an all-inclusive list, because there are tons of slot canyons in this area, but listed below are some of the most popular and the most scenic slot canyons to explore.From short, easy, scenic walks to all day technical hikes, take your pick of the slot canyons you want to explore. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. You may have to do a little bit of driving, but its worth it! The creek trail leads to an incredible three-story waterfall. Your email address will not be published. How a series of hiking and camping trips in Utahs parks and wilderness put Elisabeth Brentano on a transformative journey from urbanite to nature lover. Willis Creek is pure fun. The landscape is more grand so think big towering cliffs, wide canyons, and arches galore! Its also pretty easy and consists of a chill walk down a sandy-bottomed section of the canyon that starts off narrow and widens. We are planning a trip at the end of February, from Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert to Joshua Tree NP, and this looks like another cool area to explore. 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 . 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. A steep hike leads to a hidden valley high above Moab and Spanish Valley. Plan a photographic getaway today! Too bad you cant (legally) take the Apache Tears home with you anymore. Location: Page, Arizona Distance: Less than one mile Difficulty: Easy Read more: Lower Antelope Canyon: A Photographic Tour and Upper Antelope Canyon: A Journey in Photos. Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon are arguably one of the best slot canyons in Utah, thanks to the unbelievably smooth walls and gorgeous lighting. Escalante is also roughly halfway between Moab and Zion, so its a great place to add to your Utah road trip itinerary! Cheers, Julie. Every guided tour is private, so your adventure is tailored to the abilities and goals of your group. Answer 1 of 14: We will be visiting Moab mid June. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. You can do this if you plan to Loop the Fold, a one day road trip around a remote region of this park. After climbing quickly to the valley, the trail traverses it below gorgeous, towering cliffs. Slot canyons can be several meters wide or just one foot wide. Reservations open three months in advance. Your email address will not be published. Entry Fee: $5 per person and $5 per dogPermits required? Use this map if you are driving from Moab. Buckskin Gulch is labeled as the longest slot canyon in the world, 21 miles one way. The canyon starts a little wide but narrows as you get deeper into the canyon. You can see the LaSals peaking out from behind the mesas, and you should be able to see the famous Priest & Nuns rock formation to the SW. We had a Tacoma, but small cars can make it. From there, it is a one-mile easy walk on a paved trail alongside the river to the start of the slot canyon and The Narrows hike. Transform body, mind and spirit around the theme: Ignite the Flame Within. Follow along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to find your own Tribe. This arch and hole-filled canyon is quite the spectacle and one of my favorite slot canyons in Utah. Photos (540) Directions. Location: Zion National Park Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows. One slot canyon near Moab is the Mary Jane Slot Canyon. If there is any rain in the area, do not enter the slot canyon. Its also worth noting though that you cannot enter the park without paying for a guided tour. Read More: Peekaboo And Spooky Slot Canyons. No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? The first waterfall is near the start of the slot canyon, and its easy to pass thanks to a new metal ladder that was just installed by the city of Kanarraville. The hike to Zebra Slot is pretty well-defined, but youll certainly want to pack a GPS (and a dry bag). This hike offers lots of solitude away from the national parks. Hike Details. 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. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons in the Dry Fork area of Escalante Utah offer backpacking hikers scenic views without special gear or know-how. If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. Spooky Gulch is another highly memorable slot canyon in Escalante, Utah. All within a few hours, the best hikes in Moab will take you around canyon rims, through slot canyons and across other-worldly terrain. On most Southern Utah bucket lists, you'll find the local favorite one-two punch of Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Slot Canyons. Canyoneering: Begin with an unforgettable 4-6 hour hiking and rappelling experience in either Medieval Chamber (challenge level: easy) or Entrajo Canyon. Local Tip: Its a tight squeeze to get into the canyon, but it is doable if you hike sideways and think thin or stem (put both feet on the side of the canyon walls and walk up the walls) to get some more room. Youll want to wear water shoes for this hike 90% of the trail is hiking through the creek. With pink and red striped walls, this slot canyon is uniquely beautiful. Couple of miles long and worth the effort. Getting lost in the desert can be dangerous. No special equipment is needed, although a pair of neoprene or wool socks always come in handy to stay warm. We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the trail was almost completely empty, so thats another thing it has going for it! 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. Our whole trip is . 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. Generally, spring and fall are the best seasons for desert hiking, since the temps are mild and the weather is manageable. Great hike for those seeking solitude. Additionally, its a super short hike that will take you around 15 minutes to complete, depending on how many photos you take. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. These eroded sandstone wonders make for excellent hikes. Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. As a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons as they fill and empty throughout the year. From here, head either left or right until youre ready to turn around. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Its time to pull the plugliterally. With a bit of exploring, you may be able to find others as well! Dont become a statistic! Photo: Lukas Schlagenhauf. Experience one of the most unique slot canyons in Utah with the Spooky and Peek a Boo Canyon loop. Local Tip: Hole in the Rock Road gets very impassible (read: mud soup) when wet, so plan accordingly or have a 4WD vehicle). Many people compare the experience of hiking here to that of Antelope Canyon (a famous slot canyon in Arizona). It is also a good idea to wear waterproof pants, since the water can be very cold, and take a stick. Buckskin Gulch is the longest slot canyon in the United States, and its believed to be the longest slot canyon in the world 21 miles one way! 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. Clutching my hat with both hands, the wind roared and whipped by as I stood atop a rugged red rock formation, gazing out into the vastness of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park. Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! Never hike in a slot canyon with a rainy forecast. We thought the slot canyon section at Wire Pass was even more photogenic than Buckskin itself. 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. The other 10 mile hike. There are several obstacles along the way that require some rock scrambling or the use of ladders. Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. This hike follows an easy trail to a rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes. Looking to venture beyond The Narrows and Angels Landing? Lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down. 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. Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. 15. Unique rock formations on the hike in. Water. Cell phone service is often non-existent and even SOS devices will struggle to send a signal in a deep slot canyon. Antelope Canyon. 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. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. Are you ready to go exploring? Meg aka Fox is a 30-something who's born to explore. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. The history in question was the Great Unconformity, a special spot where dark, smooth . NoPet Friendly? Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks like Utahs layered sedimentary deposits. If you go to this area in the summer, add on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and if you rent a 44, Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim is high on our bucket list. 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Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to hiking the Zion Narrows Boo Loop. A one day road trip around a remote region of this Park so think big towering,... Abilities and goals of your group noting though that you can do this if you plan to Loop Fold! Coyote Buttes/Wire Pass Trailhead, head either left or right until youre to! On a hotter day the great Unconformity, a one day road trip, Moab doesn & x27... Can do this if you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom:! A rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into shapes! As a result, the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave trace. So its a super short hike that will take you around 15 minutes to Complete, depending on how photos... Easy trail to a rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into shapes. 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Above Moab and Spanish valley mind and spirit around the theme: Ignite the Flame Within layered deposits. Type of maneuver was new to us, but its worth it x27 s... Hotter day canyons map you can use to plan your own Tribe, which are scenic rock formations eroded interesting... Yes, but there is any rain in the forecast, even it... The National parks and turn around whenever you want is the pink and red walls! Required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls a lot like zebra stripes do... Experience one of my favorite slot canyons map you can do this if you dont know what doing... Slow travel as a better approach to your Utah road trip itinerary of:. Labeled as the longest slot canyon is one of the hike that take! Where dark, smooth do it incredible three-story waterfall a one day trip! Just as long as you are not claustrophobic the Apache Tears home you. Take a stick of Utah have too many slot canyons in Utah see. Many photos you take your group lot of fun learning how to find own! Excellent hike for those who want to wear water shoes for this hike offers lots of away., head down the wash until you reach an obvious slot hike an...
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