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. Just be aware that this hike is a bit more technical by nature. Lots of solitude. The Ultimate Guide Dog Friendly Hikes in Escalante, Utah! Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. 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. If youve hiked in the desert youve probably seen the raised, bumpy soil that dots the landscape. 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. Climb slickrock ledges to explore the slot and a nearby alcove devoid of rock art. There is so much to do in this region, and hence wondering if you have plans to do another alternate itinerary for this region, with a list of other hikes that you plan to do. Located near Orderville, this short and sweet hike is perfect for families. We followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes. 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. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails withthe same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. Spooky lives up to its namesake. Headquarters Canyon is short, sweet, and super easy to hike, and in my opinion, the more thrilling of these two slot canyons. The short hike is free. Hiking slot canyons in the summer can be extremely dangerous. Willis Creek is fun to explore. The Narrows is the most famous Zion slot canyon, but there are also a bunch of other nice ones near the national park. 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. 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!). Over time, the eroded sandstone forms narrow channels, or canyons that cut deep into the cliffs and sandstone mountains found throughout Utah. 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? Definitely come prepared and be aware of your surroundings as you hike. With Moab Cliffs & Canyons, you can relax and enjoy the adventure, . Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places. Its dark, its mysterious, and its fun to squeeze yourself through, just as long as you are not claustrophobic. Map. But if you like adventure then Ding and Dang Canyons are for you. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. A hat helps too. Spring can see wet days, so check the forecast. Find out about women-owned businesses you can support while adventuring in Utah. Otherwise youll need to head towards Escalante (4 hours and 45 minutes away) or Kanab (also 4 hours and 45 minutes away) for slot canyons near Salt Lake City. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. NoPet Friendly? 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. The second waterfall comes into view a bit later. The answer is yes. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. 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. Mileage: 5.2 milesElevation gain: 377 ftDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 2.5 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? . The other good news is that the Dry Fork Narrows are wider and tamer than the slot canyons at Spooky and Peekaboo, so you can just relax and enjoy the scenery as you walk through. This hike offers lots of solitude away from the national parks. Leave it better than you found it. Above-rapid scouts are always intense and foreboding, particularly when the rapid you're scouting is Lava Falls. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. The World Travel Guy 2023 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 . Its not only ungodly hot, but the monsoon season in the desert brings torrential rains to canyon systems. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National ParkandCanyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. Follow a winding canyon stream out to the Colorado River. Youll definitely want to wear water/hiking shoes. 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. 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. Mileage: 1.9 milesElevation Gain: 492 feetDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 1 hour. Allow 3-4 hours and you will get an amazing experience. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. Heres a Utah slot canyons map you can use to plan your own road trip. 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. 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. All in all, this was one of our favorite Utah slot canyons! The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. The most important thing to know about hiking a slot canyon is the weather. Hiking the Narrows involves walking in water, and its 16 miles total. This waterfall is a double-tongued waterfall halted by a chockstone, about 30 feet high. NoHighlights: Two beautiful waterfalls (one which youll see earlier in the trail and one inside the slot canyon at the end) + a natural waterslide perfect to grab a quick lunch at. Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Let us know about your experience in our comment section below. We have not hiked Buckskin Gulch or Coyote Gulch yet, and dont know enough about them to offer any advice. Cheers, Julie. From April 1 through October 31, 2023, daytime visitors to Arches National Park are required to have a timed entry ticket to enter the park. 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. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. See Zion dusted in snow on a winter escape to the east side where youll likely have the whole place to yourself. 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. Your email address will not be published. Book Now: Lower Antelope Canyon / Antelope Canyon X Tour. The highlight of this canyon is the pink and yellow pastel stripes that decorate the canyon. Some of them are difficult to navigate and require technical skills, but many of them are family friendly and easy for beginners to hike. No special equipment is needed, although a pair of neoprene or wool socks always come in handy to stay warm. Extra socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in the canyons. Just know that climbing down is pretty difficult, so once youre in, youre in. You can do this if you plan to Loop the Fold, a one day road trip around a remote region of this park. This is a third slot canyon you can visit as part of the Spooky/Peekaboo hike in Escalante. 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. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. If youre interested in exploring slot canyons in Utah, youll want to start with these easier, non-technical routes. Dont trash the canyon! The canyon is fun and easy for all ages. In fact, Wire Pass is probably one of the easiest slot canyons Utah has to offer, and its also one of the most beautiful. Slot canyons are narrow gorges in soft rocks like Utahs layered sedimentary deposits. Canyoneering Moab: Morning Glory Arch & Medieval Chamber. Its a very photogenic hike, with nice red rock colors and steep canyon walls. You can turn around at any point, but most people hike/ wade as far as the Wall Street section, which is three miles in. Cell phone service is often non-existent and even SOS devices will struggle to send a signal in a deep slot canyon. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. Also aim to visit between March and November. 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 narrowest part is just over a foot wide, meaning youll have to walk sideways to get through the canyon! Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. 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. Trail contacts: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Field Office, 82 E. Dogwood, Moab 84532; (435) 259-2100; website. Check often, including the day you hike. 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. Plan a winter Southeastern Utah trip. 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. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. When you venture out to these two slot canyons, you are really going off-the-beaten-path. The Zebra Slot Canyon is a spectacular passageway in Escalante, Utah, with wild rock colors and wavy zebra striped walls. Look closely at the canyon walls to see the ancient petroglyphs (no the handprints are not ancient some tourist made them in 2019). Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, even if its outside of your immediate area. Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail. No.Highlights: Red rock hoodoos, unbelievable canyons, and a narrow slot canyon. Image courtesy of Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. 7- 9 Hours. While Arches has no real "slot canyons," many of its sandstone walls are cross-hatched with narrow passages appropriate for this type of exploration. To help you choose a hike outside the parks, we've selected a few of the best. Highlights: The longest known slot canyon in the world. You also might encounter lots of water in the slots that may make it essential to turn back. As we set up camp near Arches National Park, the sun lit up the bluffs and the light melted into the western horizon. Learn More: How to Hike the Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon Loop. Never hike in a slot canyon with a rainy forecast. The solitude is one of the appealing features of this trek. 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). As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. I hiked that one about 5 years ago, so I dont have a blog post for that trail. Or, hike the entire length of the Narrows from the top-down, either as a very long and challenging one-day hike or as a two day backpacking trip. Flash Floods. 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. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! Looking for advice on slot canyons to hike for a 1/2 to full day. Still on our bucket list are Buckskin Gulch and Kanarra Creek. 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. Hike Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and More with Wildland Trekking - Expert Local Guides, #1 on Trip Advisor. Print/PDF map. It seems like a great hike but it seems difficult to do in a day hike. Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . Whatever you choose, it will be an adventure! No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? Lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down. But, its really stunning and well worth a visit. You're into the first slot within 15-20 minutes of hiking. 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. Mary Jane Slot Canyon is one of Moabs hidden gems the trail is a creek the entire way, which leads to a 30 ft waterfall. Subscribe to my newsletter for the latest blog posts, tips, & travel guides. Discover this 8.4-mile out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah. This is a great trail to do year-round since the creek always flows and cools you off. 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. This hike offers awesome scenery and lots of solitude away from the national parks. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! Actually, it is SW of Santa Fe. Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? 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. The short answer is kind of. We want to plan a trip to Kanab at some point to explore this area more. 15. 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! Please tag along! Recommended by Jordan Wohlwend from The Homebody Tourist. The Zion Narrows may be the most famous slot canyon Utah has to offer. Canyoneering: Begin with an unforgettable 4-6 hour hiking and rappelling experience in either Medieval Chamber (challenge level: easy) or Entrajo Canyon. At the end, youll reach the Joint a narrow slot section that feels like youre in a trash compactor. The small park is absolutely worth a day-trip, and the loop hike around the main viewpoints is nice and family-friendly. Wilson Arch is an elegant sandstone feature that sits along Highway 191 south of Moab on BLM land. Local Tip: This is an EXTREMELY popular canyon, arrive before 8 am if you want any chance at solitude. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. Here are some of the best Zion slot canyons: These are some of the best slot canyons near Zion National Park. All Rights Reserved. Simply hike into Willis Creek Narrows, a southern Utah slot canyon, for easy, scenic adventures of less than 5-miles (round trip) and many creek crossings. As one of the top hikes in Escalante, this slot canyon sees surprisingly little traffic. No.Pet Friendly? There are so many great places to visittrying to find the time is the trick. My track via Gaia GPS the best tracking app! Peekaboo Canyon is located in the Escalante area of southern Utah, about 1 hour from Bryce Canyon National Park. With tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling, this hike is fun for both kids and adults. Best season: Year-round. These eroded sandstone wonders make for excellent hikes. 4-13 people - $112/person. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. Bell isnt as narrow, but its still surprisingly beautiful. Creek always flows and cools you off crack steadily grows larger from flash! Excellent trails withthe same spectacular scenery without the crowds in Arches National ParkandCanyonlands National Park scouts always... ; t have too many slot canyons are formed from rushing water, and the light melted the! Seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the western horizon the heart of canyon. 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