Slot Canyons Near Moab & Arches National Park, Utah Hiking Guide Best Utah Hikes & Trails, Zion Hikes Guide Best Hikes In Zion National Park, 16 Great Zion Hikes: Best Hikes In Zion National Park, James Bond Island Thailand: Phang Nga Bay Tour (Phuket), Maine Lighthouses Map: The 15 Best Lighthouses In Maine, Breckenridge Troll Hike: Isak Heartstone Location & Directions, Acatenango Volcano Hike: Volcan De Fuego Guatemala, Tikal Guatemala Ruins: Map & How To Visit Tikal National Park, 15 Best Things To Do In Singapore Airport (Changi Layover), Maya Bay Thailand: The Beach Is Open! The premiere way to experience Canyonlands is from the ethers. A steep hike leads to a hidden valley high above Moab and Spanish Valley. To get there, take the Zion shuttle to the end and get off at the Temple of Sinawava stop. The trail starts in the SE corner of the parking lot do NOT follow the trail head sign for Professor/Sylvester Creek. Entry Fee: $5 per person and $5 per dogPermits required? Easily accessible. Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, right near the border with Utah. The Zebra Slot Canyon is a spectacular passageway in Escalante, Utah, with wild rock colors and wavy zebra striped walls. With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. 800-715-HIKE (4453) (9-4:30 Every Day) Top Rated On ; Contact Us; Other Languages: . How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. And because this slot canyon is so amazing and photogenic, its on this list of the best slots canyons in Utah. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. 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. Willis Creek is pure fun. You can stop and turn around whenever you want. Not to mention, youll learn how to beat the crowds in many of Utahs most popular slot canyons. Headquarters Canyon is short, sweet, and super easy to hike, and in my opinion, the more thrilling of these two slot canyons. Professor Creek is a small stream that joins the Colorado River 20 miles northeast of Moab. Its an essential part of keeping erosion in check in the desert. No.Highlights: Scrambling, canyoneering skills, beautiful rock formations and a stunning drive to the canyon. Make your way over a few rock obstacles (youll need to use your hands) until you empty out on the backside of the canyon. Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower at the bottom. These slot canyons are tucked away in a remote region of Capitol Reef National Park. The river bed is uneven and the water is flowing, so having a stick to stabilize you is very helpful. 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 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. Secondly, Coyote Gulch is mentioned as a potential hike you are planning to do in the future. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. Couple of miles long and worth the effort. 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. Head to East Zion to glimpse wondrous slot canyons, soaring sandstone monoliths and crimson-colored cliffs without the crowds. Moab is surrounded by some of Utah's best national parks and some of the best hikes in the USA. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. With these narrow passageways and ladders to climb, this canyon is more fun to visit. . As you navigate the curve, look for a short slot canyon along the north wall. Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. Mileage: 8 miles round-tripElevation gain: 787 feetDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 4 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . Location: Zion National Park Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows. When people refer to Antelope Canyon . Reservations open three months in advance. Definitely come prepared and be aware of your surroundings as you hike. Generally, spring and fall are the best seasons for desert hiking, since the temps are mild and the weather is manageable. As we set up camp near Arches National Park, the sun lit up the bluffs and the light melted into the western horizon. Too bad you cant (legally) take the Apache Tears home with you anymore. 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. Use this map if you are driving from Moab. 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. No. Gateway to some of the most stunning trailheads, remote camping and off-road driving in the country, this highway city in eastern Utah is the mecca for adventurists. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Similar to the Zion Narrows, but on a smaller scale, this makes another great slot canyon destination. The good news is that the Narrows is open to all fitness levels because you dont have to hike to the end of the gorge. We spent the next morning riding our e-bikes along the Moab Can yon Pathway, This paved trail loosely follows Old Highway 191 past Arches National Park and . One slot canyon near Moab is the Mary Jane Slot Canyon. The natural forces that carved slot canyons are still at work, and even light, distant rainfall can render slot canyons extremely dangerous including flash floods. Some people do this as a loop hike with Bell Canyon, which takes quite a bit longer, but the best parts of Little Wild Horse slot canyon can be seen in only an hour roundtrip, which is perfect for people wanting to skip to the good stuff. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Check out Moab Flats! Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. Great hike for those seeking solitude. Hiking. Watch this video of a guided experience canyoneering in the remote Robbers Roost. More information at go.nps.gov/archesticket. Both ways work and meet up. Not only are slot canyons unique in their beauty, but they offer memorable adventure's filled with rappelling, climbing and hiking through pristine areas. Located on Navajo lands, this slot canyon can only be visited on a tour. Yes, but it may be too long for younger kids. The diversity and beauty found in Utah has often been captured by women. Next Group, You dont have to be Spider-Man to explore some of the best slot canyons Utah has to offer. 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!). All of the slot canyons in Utah are prone to dangerous (and deadly) flash flooding. Kid friendly? Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah yet. Its a hidden gem located off the beaten path, so you arent likely to see many other hikers. Last year we were able to go on a big road trip around the American Southwest while seeing many of the best slot canyons in Utah along the way, and afterwards we put together this slot canyon Utah guide and map! Just know that climbing down is pretty difficult, so once youre in, youre in. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Headquarters Canyon & Surprise Canyon. Book well in advancePet Friendly? Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. Bring layers. Death Valley is an awesome spot to visit in the winter/early spring/late fall. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Your email address will not be published. You can easily explore Zion or Arches National Park from Moab. Photos (540) Directions. You can also get here by driving Burr Trail Road east from highway 12. 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. Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of Moab's hidden gems - the "trail" is a creek the entire way, which leads to a 30 ft waterfall. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. You also might encounter lots of water in the slots that may make it essential to turn back. The climb in is a little intimidating for the un-initiated, but its worth it as youll be deposited immediately into another world. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Take the Behind the Reef Road for 1.5 miles until you reach signs for nearby Bell Canyon. 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. It offers a visually-stunning Utah slot canyons experience and makes the entire hike worthwhile. A perfect day of Rocks-and-River: combine a half day of canyoneering with a late day Colorado River rafting tour! LEARN MORE: How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. The easiest way to hike is to cross the river back and forth, seeking out narrow beaches along the way to give yourself a little break from wading in the fast-flowing river the entire way. Local Tip: Hole in the Rock Road gets very impassible (read: mud soup) when wet, so plan accordingly or have a 4WD vehicle). That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. 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. A hat helps too. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. A journey into this small desert canyon is not terribly difficult, and along the trail you will find a clear stream running year-round, as well as the magnificent Morning Glory Natural Bridge. Hike Details. Yes, but some scrambling is required so you may need to lift your dog.Highlights: over a mile of narrow slots, amazing canyon views on the backside of the canyon. Required fields are marked *. Learn more about this unforgettable attraction and plan a visit. You can hike the Zion Narrows as a quick day hike, hiking from the bottom-up. It's narrower, but . While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. Believe it or not. 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. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. As you continue further up the canyon the walls will get higher and higher. It has a slot canyon you hike through to begin your hike to the top of the area. Hiking within the narrow canyon, hopping and skipping over the creek, and watching as the canyon walls steadily grow higher and higher as you head downstream is such a great experience. 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. Location: Valley of Fire, Nevada Distance:0.5 miles Difficulty: Easy Read more: Exploring the Valley of Fire. Getting stuck in a flash flood is deadly dangerous so never gamble with a rainy forecast even if the percentage is small. Easy 4.7 (784) Grand County Trail Systems. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Also horse friendly.Highlights: Water. 2-3 people - $124/person. Nowadays you have to pay for a permit to do the Kanarra Creek hike because of its popularity, and there are a limited number of permits available per day. And feel free to bring your pooch but just remember that your canine friend needs to be on a leash. Location: Kanarraville, Utah Distance: 3 to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate. Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. It is said that Utah has the largest concentration of slot canyons in the world, and many of them are easily accessible. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards. As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. , . 14+ people - call for pricing and availability. Willis Creek Slot Canyon is one of the lesser known Utah canyons. 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. 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. Here are some of the best Zion slot canyons: These are some of the best slot canyons near Zion National Park. 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. 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. Find a guide to take you canyoneering in Utah. Theres one very tight slot thats great for chimneying or stemming, where you place your back against one wall and then push your feet on the other wall to cross the gap. . Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? Its also super photogenic since this is one of the best slot canyons in Utah with stunning red rocks around every turn. 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. 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