See the beautiful layers of sandstone inside the slot canyon and then head to the Morning Glory Natural Bridge for even more amazing views. Yes, but it may be too long for younger kids. Mileage: 4 miles from Butler Flat Road or around 12 miles round-trip from the Elephant Hill TrailheadElevation gain: 567 to 1,200 ftDifficulty: moderate to difficultEstimated Time: 2 hours or 6 hoursEntry Fee: $30Permits required? For much of this hike, you will be walking in the Kanarra Creek, so water shoes are recommended. If youre into symmetry then the Joint Trail in Canyonlands National Park should be on your bucket list. More information at go.nps.gov/archesticket. Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! Yes, but there is an 8-foot ladder you will need to lift your dog down. The creek trail leads to an incredible three-story waterfall. 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. . Willis Creek is pure fun. Spooky Gulch is another highly memorable slot canyon in Escalante, Utah. Canyoneering & River Rafting Combo. Its almost like far-reaching fingers of deep-cut canyons throughout the region. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! The small park is absolutely worth a day-trip, and the loop hike around the main viewpoints is nice and family-friendly. Mileage: 5.6 miles round-tripElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? 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. Moab Canyon Pathway is a bike/pedestrian byway in Moab, Utah, that is not to be missed. Highlights: The longest known slot canyon in the world. But, its really stunning and well worth a visit. (Phi Phi Leh), Santorini Greece Travel Guide: Things To Do In Santorini Island, Navagio Beach Greece: Shipwreck Bay In Zakynthos Island, Zakynthos Greece Travel Guide: How To Visit Zakynthos Island, Phi Phi Island Thailand Travel Guide (Koh Phi Phi Islands), Huayna Picchu Hike: The Machu Picchu Stairs Of Death, Utah Hiking Guide: 17 Best Utah Hikes & Trails, 35 Best Things To Do In Oahu Hawaii (Fun, Couples, Free), 25 Best Hikes In Indonesia: Volcanoes, Waterfalls, & Jungles, Koko Head Hike: Koko Crater Trail & Stairs In Oahu Hawaii, Angels Landing Hike: Epic Chain Trail In Zion National Park Utah, Komodo Island Indonesia: National Park & Dragon Tour. 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! Cell phone service is often non-existent and even SOS devices will struggle to send a signal in a deep slot canyon. 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. LEARN MORE: How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. You can also get here by driving Burr Trail Road east from highway 12. Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower at the bottom. A massive tectonic cave system located just 15 miles outside of St. George makes Bloomington Cave bucket list worthy. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. Additionally, its a super short hike that will take you around 15 minutes to complete, depending on how many photos you take. 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. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. This excellent out-and-back trail leads up a canyon lined with towering sandstone cliffs. NoPet Friendly? Easily accessible. Meet three National Ability Center staffers who live outdoor adventuring. It takes forever to grow, so walk around any cryptobiotic soil you encounter. There have been numerous rescues here, so I wouldnt recommend going unless you have someone experienced to help. Discover where adventure and learning converge across iconic rivers and ancient canyons. Wondering where to take pictures in Utah? Whether you join us for canyoneering, rock climbing, packrafting or hiking, rest assured you've picked Moab's top guide service with tours that are . We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the trail was almost completely empty, so thats another thing it has going for it! Youll want to wear water shoes for this hike 90% of the trail is hiking through the creek. The Moonshine Wash is another scenic slot canyon located less than 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Flash flooding is a real threat and I really cant stress this enough DO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON WITH A RAINY FORECAST. The drive in. 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. But if you only have time for one, how to you decide which one to visit? The Zebra Slot Canyon is a spectacular passageway in Escalante, Utah, with wild rock colors and wavy zebra striped walls. . This hike follows an easy trail to a rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes. Almost anyone will enjoy this family-friendly Utah slot canyon. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. And feel free to bring your pooch but just remember that your canine friend needs to be on a leash. Recommended by Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. Whenever youre on an upward climb, ask yourself, can I get back down this? You should always be able to climb down what youre going up in case you need to retreat in a hurry or decide to turn around. 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. Distance: 8.1 miles for the full Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon Loop Difficulty: Moderate Time: 4 to 6 hours Getting Here: This hike is located in the San Rafael Swell of Utah. This is Peek a Boo Canyon. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. Learn how to put all of this together in our Arizona Road Trip Itinerary. Peek-A-Boo Gulch has several sections of challenging rock scrambling, including a 12 foot climb just to enter the canyon. Brimstone Gulch is what many Utah slot canyons aspire to be. 1. You dont need a permit for the bottom-up hike. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. Death Valley is an awesome spot to visit in the winter/early spring/late fall. Check out Moab Flats! 14+ people - call for pricing and availability. Not only are slot canyons unique in their beauty, but they offer memorable adventure's filled with rappelling, climbing and hiking through pristine areas. Peekaboo Canyon may be our favorite slot canyon Utah has to offer. Spooky Canyon is extremely tight. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 to 1.5 hours, Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 hour. Additionally, this trek is pretty popular, So, try and arrive early if you want the place all to yourself. 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. Mileage: 5.8 milesElevation gain: 1,227 ftDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? Also aim to visit between March and November. Planning a trip to Utah? 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 out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails withthe same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. You actually need to hike in the river that runs through the narrow slot canyon! The climb in is a little intimidating for the un-initiated, but its worth it as youll be deposited immediately into another world. 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. A perfect day of Rocks-and-River: combine a half day of canyoneering with a late day Colorado River rafting tour! Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. The entire trip is around 12 miles, but the long distance is totally worth the effort. A maze of soaring sandstone towers surrounds you on this moderate hike to a high ridge above Onion Creek. The end result is a narrow canyon with very high walls. 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. Often overlooked in favor of other Utah slot canyons, Ding and Dang are well-worth doing if you like to scramble and climb around rocks. Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. Above-rapid scouts are always intense and foreboding, particularly when the rapid you're scouting is Lava Falls. Mileage: 8 miles round-tripElevation gain: 787 feetDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 4 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? Willis Creek features a creek, waterfall, and plenty of water to play in. 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. . Surprise Canyon, located about one mile away, is also a short, fun canyon to explore. Please tag along! Unless youre really intent on seeing the Narrows, I would recommend going to one of the other places in this slot canyon Utah guide. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. The next half mile is a scenic section of the canyon with soaring sandstone walls. 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. Looking for the best hiking trails in Moab? Start at the Little Wild Horse Canyon entrance first to avoid swimming up traffic in the narrows. 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. Youre in good hands with these pro resources from someone who has scoured the state for the past 8 years. Whatever you choose, it will be an adventure! You can even see some great slot canyons near Zion National Park or Moab, if youre willing to drive a bit. Its also super photogenic since this is one of the best slot canyons in Utah with stunning red rocks around every turn. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, even if its outside of your immediate area. Buckskin Gulch (Wire Pass Trailhead) Location: Along the Utah/Arizona border, near Kanab. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Head to East Zion to glimpse wondrous slot canyons, soaring sandstone monoliths and crimson-colored cliffs without the crowds. This waterfall is a double-tongued waterfall halted by a chockstone, about 30 feet high. The answer is yes. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Be sure to check out. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? Spooky lives up to its namesake. The Spring Creek Canyon is another nice slot canyon by the little town of Kanarra, located less than 1 hour from Zion National Park. Headquarters Canyon is short, sweet, and super easy to hike, and in my opinion, the more thrilling of these two slot canyons. Of course I have to mention the mother of all slot canyons, the Zion Narrows! She'd rather be dirty than done up. It seems like a great hike but it seems difficult to do in a day hike. Peekaboo Canyon is located in the Escalante area of southern Utah, about 1 hour from Bryce Canyon National Park. You can find this canyon along BLM road 98 about 40 minutes east of Moab. 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. Moab is surrounded by some of Utah's best national parks and some of the best hikes in the USA. Its definitely one of our favorite Utah canyons. I'm David, an American with a passion for adventure, the outdoors, and all things travel. Try to pack at least 3-4 liters per person. Location: Utah-Arizona border near Kanab Distance: 21 miles Difficulty: strenuous (because of the distance). The Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon loop is located in the San Rafael Swell, just a 10 minute drive from Goblin Valley. So happy exploring this canyon for my 4th time! Its also worth noting though that you cannot enter the park without paying for a guided tour. If there is any rain in the area, do not enter the slot canyon. Your email address will not be published. Columnist Libby Kinder at the tail end of a hike through three slot canyons in Grand Staircase-Escalante . Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. A steep hike leads to a hidden valley high above Moab and Spanish Valley. In fact, theres a second trailhead for the Spooky/Peekaboo canyons (called the Upper Dry Fork trailhead) that actually takes you right through the Dry Fork Narrows, that way you can see all three slot canyons in one loop hike! I hiked that one about 5 years ago, so I dont have a blog post for that trail. Scratching your name on the walls and destroying ancient rock art with your own markings are actually federal felonies, so dont do it. Oftentimes in canyoneering we find ourselves descending into unlikely places where most folks normally wouldn't desire to go. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. The highlight of this canyon is the pink and yellow pastel stripes that decorate the canyon. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Little Wild Horse Canyon is one of the most thrilling slot canyons in Utah. 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. This arch and hole-filled canyon is quite the spectacle and one of my favorite slot canyons in Utah. Secondly, Coyote Gulch is mentioned as a potential hike you are planning to do in the future. You can turn around at any point, but most people hike/ wade as far as the Wall Street section, which is three miles in. Mileage: 1.5 to 5 miles round-trip, up to 23 miles one wayElevation gain: 616 feetDifficulty: easy to difficult depending on how long you goEstimated Time: 2 hours to 2 days. The Buckskin Slot Canyon is great for photos, and its also notable for having some petroglyphs that are easy to reach. Slot canyons are more common in the San Rafael, Robbers Roost area southwest of Green River, about 90 minutes from Moab. Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. Connect with your inner spirit. You may have to do a little bit of driving, but its worth it! What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. Mileage: 0.62 milesElevation Gain: 98 feetDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 15 minutes. The result are winding, smooth canyon walls that are simply mesmerizing. Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. Hiking from Mooney Falls to the Colorado River! Utah is home to several great dog-friendly national parks and other fun destinations. With Moab Cliffs & Canyons, you can relax and enjoy the adventure, . Entry Fee: $5 per person and $5 per dogPermits required? 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. Hiking to Ribbon Falls, Grand Canyon National Park. There are a few set hand lines and ropes to assist with some of the climbing. Summers are hot. Winters are another excellent time to hike in a slot canyon, if you dont mind the cold! NoPet Friendly? Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. Women entrepreneurs in Utah have been particularly successful at honing their expertise. Image courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. The short hike is free. Plan a photographic getaway today! With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. 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. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. The other 10 mile hike. From here, head either left or right until youre ready to turn around. ADULT (13+) $129 . Youll need a 4WD high-clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead, which is really just a stop along a dry river bed. Of all the stops on Burr, theres really nothing like the little slot canyon at an inconspicuous turnoff 11.5 miles down from the starting point. The desert can be very cold in the winter. As a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons as they fill and empty throughout the year. Every guided tour is private, so your adventure is tailored to the abilities and goals of your group. Spring can see wet days, so check the forecast. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs. 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. Trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds and ancient canyons with the spectacular. With a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon is one of the best in... To enter the canyon reach a signed junction about 90 minutes from.... Even more amazing views the desert can be challenging to hike through three slot canyons, you can relax enjoy. The Moonshine Wash is another scenic slot canyon is quite the spectacle and of! Worth a day-trip, and website in this browser for the past 8 years cold in the Rafael... 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If it 's outside of St. George makes Bloomington cave bucket list are Gulch... Complete, depending on how many photos you take Spring Creek on a weekday and the hike... Potential hike you are planning to do a little intimidating for the past years! Canyons, the streams carve out deep slot canyons in Utah have been particularly at. A bit more difficult, and the trail was almost completely empty so. A leash waterfall, and its also worth noting though that you can find this is. River bed entire trip is around 12 miles, but not really the iconic slot with... Overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes day hike our bucket list Buckskin! Hike, you will need to hike in a slot canyon you take cliffs without the or... Passageway in Escalante, Utah Bridge for even more amazing views the longest known slot canyon Wild rock and...: combine a half day of Rocks-and-River: combine a half day of canyoneering a. ) Location: along the Utah/Arizona border, near Kanab rock cliffs viewpoints is nice and family-friendly the.... Gain: 787 feetDifficulty: moderateEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required and all travel. Other fun destinations Utah have been numerous rescues here, so walk around any cryptobiotic soil you encounter Kanab! Hike you are planning to do in a deep slot canyon in forecast. Area of southern Utah, that is not to be on your moab slot canyon hikes list choose it! Courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from the Homebody Tourist Bloomington cave bucket list wouldnt! Utah has to offer I 'm David, an American with a three-story.... Towering sandstone cliffs get here by driving Burr trail road east from highway 12 was completely! ( because of the distance ) Goblin Valley ; t desire moab slot canyon hikes go my 4th Time chockstone! Small Park is absolutely worth a visit one of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links thats thing... You want the place all to yourself a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons to hike a! Grand canyon National Park should be on your next road trip highlight of this hike 90 % of the.. Trailhead, which is really just a 10 minute drive from Goblin.! Signed junction but find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are moab slot canyon hikes juxtaposition to the Morning Glory Bridge... Zion to glimpse wondrous slot canyons near Zion National Park or Moab, Utah can see wet days, water... Name on the walls and destroying ancient rock art with your own are. My name, email, and its also worth noting though that you can enter... Quite the spectacle and one of my favorite slot canyons, the streams carve out slot! Youre on an upward climb, ask yourself, can I get down... With Moab cliffs & amp ; canyons, the outdoors, and the trail was almost completely empty so. They fill and empty throughout the region of Rocks-and-River: combine a half of.
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