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. 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. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! I would recommend bringing an experienced partner for Moonshine Wash, because its a bit more technical than the other hikes listed in this slot canyon Utah guide. It can be blazing hot in the desert, but slot canyons see little sun. But find them exponentially special when the changing fall leaves are in juxtaposition to the immaculate red rock cliffs. 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. Book a Trip Today! We decided to explore a little side canyon, and it was so cool! Willis Creek features a creek, waterfall, and plenty of water to play in. Use this map if you are driving from Moab. Located on Navajo lands, this slot canyon can only be visited on a tour. You simply hike up the river as far as you want to go and turn around when you start to get tired. Always bring several layers to stay warm. Dont forget to check out my list of the best hikes in Utah to see on your next road trip! Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. UTAHS MIGHTY 5: Utahs Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks in Utah. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. However, there are some good slot canyons near Moab if youre willing to drive: These are some of the best slot canyons near Moab. If youre interested in exploring slot canyons in Utah, youll want to start with these easier, non-technical routes. This destroys the natural feel of the canyon and can disrupt the homes of animals. 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. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. 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. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. A select number of permits are available for overnight trips. Whether youre a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure. Its a great little known place NW of Santa Fe. Its also pretty easy and consists of a chill walk down a sandy-bottomed section of the canyon that starts off narrow and widens. 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. Some of the best hikes in Utah are these incredible canyons so be sure to add these destinations to your bucket list! These slot canyons are tucked away in a remote region of Capitol Reef National Park. Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. Your email address will not be published. Check it out and plan your trip! Explore one of 61 easy hiking trails in Moab or discover kid-friendly routes for your next family trip. This is another neat slot canyon hike located about 2 hours from Moab, but its not for beginners. Getting Here: Headquarters Canyon and Surprise Canyons are located side by side in Capitol Reef National Park. 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. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. But if you only have time for one, how to you decide which one to visit? Spring can see wet days, so check the forecast. As the longest-known slot canyon in the world, Buckskin Gulch is a true wonder. A waterfall and wildflowers. ADULT (13+) $129 . With its light beams, falling sands, and high canyon walls, this is the more photogenic of the two canyons. Always be aware of the weather forecast. There are so many great places to visittrying to find the time is the trick. Hikers have died because they were caught by a flash flood while in some of these canyons. Plan a photographic getaway today! Easily one of the most famous and stunningly beautiful slot canyons in the USA, Antelope Canyon is technically not located in Utah. The narrower canyons usually feature twists and turns and beautifully scalloped walls. Theres nothing more magical than hiking one of the many slot canyons in Utah. 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. 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. Winters are another excellent time to hike in a slot canyon, if you dont mind the cold! Unique hiking adventures await visitors of all abilities in the depths of Southwestern Utah, where the region's famous slot canyons are perfect for a family day trip or weekend getaway.. It takes most hikers about 2.5 hours to reach the waterfall. 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. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. Hiking. Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 to 1.5 hours, Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 hour. For much of this hike, you will be walking in the Kanarra Creek, so water shoes are recommended. This is a good turn around point. They are named for their narrow width, often squeezing down to a sliver. I hiked that one about 5 years ago, so I dont have a blog post for that trail. Slot canyons are one of the top, hidden treasures found within Southern Utah's diverse redrock landscape. Take a winter break to refresh with a visit to a few of these places. Mileage: 5.6 miles round-tripElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? Utahs National Ability Center is known for changing lives through its adaptive recreation programs. Its a weird, lumpy, landscape thats tone of fun to play in on a hotter day. Climb slickrock ledges to explore the slot and a nearby alcove devoid of rock art. 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. You can do this if you plan to Loop the Fold, a one day road trip around a remote region of this park. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. However it does have a creek and is dog-friendly! Follow a winding canyon stream out to the Colorado River. Note: This post contains affiliate links. A slot canyon refers to a sandstone canyon that has a narrow width (usually a few feet wide or less). Sequoia - Kings Canyon; Joshua Tree National Park; 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. As a result, the streams carve out deep slot canyons as they fill and empty throughout the year. That is another nice trail, but has no shade nor water. The Little Wild Horse Bell Canyon loop is located in the San Rafael Swell, just a 10 minute drive from Goblin Valley. Follow the faint trail to the right once you exit the canyon until you reach the obvious start of Spooky Canyon. 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. But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery without the crowds or entrance fees. This hike is ideal for small children. Discover where adventure and learning converge across iconic rivers and ancient canyons. This waterfall is a double-tongued waterfall halted by a chockstone, about 30 feet high. What starts off as a tiny crack steadily grows larger from repeat flash floods and erosion over millions of years. This is another crazy slot canyon located near Peekaboo, and most people do these two slots as a loop hike since theyre located so close together. Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon Trail. Price: All tours are private. As we set up camp near Arches National Park, the sun lit up the bluffs and the light melted into the western horizon. All Rights Reserved. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National ParkandCanyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. NoHighlights: Conquering one of the most iconic trails in Utah, wading through the river that runs through a narrow slot canyon, and getting to see some of the most dramatic sceneries of Zion National Park. Kid friendly? 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. Trail contacts: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Field Office, 82 E. Dogwood, Moab 84532; (435) 259-2100; website. The Zion Narrows may be the most famous slot canyon Utah has to offer. Antelope Canyon is located in Arizona, right near the border with Utah. Travel quite a ways down a series of rocky ledges until you reach a basin. The answer is yes. 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. The best way to visit this slot canyon is by entering from Wire Pass, that way you get to see two slot canyons for the price of one! At the end of the amazing Negro Bill Canyon is the Morning Glory bridge trail and it makes for a pretty amazing hike. Its not only ungodly hot, but the monsoon season in the desert brings torrential rains to canyon systems. Flash flood hazards are a real threat and floods kill people in slot canyons every year. Getting stuck in a flash flood is deadly dangerous so never gamble with a rainy forecast even if the percentage is small. With a bit of exploring, you may be able to find others as well! No, day-use permit is required for Butler Flat Road.Pet Friendly? Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. Dont trash the canyon! 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. All Rights Reserved. These eroded sandstone wonders make for excellent hikes. Our friend was in a Camry and made it just fine, but slowly. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. . Distance: 3.5 miles. Sunscreen. Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip. The canyon walls get higher as you hike further into the canyon, and eventually will reach upwards of 100 ft! Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. Read these additionalresourcesto learn how to travel thoughtfully and experience Moab most fully. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey there! Discover Which Colorado Mountain Town is right for you. The history in question was the Great Unconformity, a special spot where dark, smooth . To reach the Joint, youll wander through the needle filled canyons and get a real sense of the vast, unique beauty that the Needles District has to offer. , . The first mile of the trail is very open, and you can see all of the surrounding mesas and buttes. 7- 9 Hours. Need a place to stay in Moab? Bryce Canyon is also a short distance away and Dead Horse Point State Park stands proud over the Colorado River. Next Group. Also horse friendly.Highlights: Water. Pack out your poop. How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. Inside this guide to the best slot canyons in Utah youll get expert advice about how to safely enjoy these stunning environments. All of the slot canyons in Utah are prone to dangerous (and deadly) flash flooding. You can turn around at any point, but most people hike/ wade as far as the Wall Street section, which is three miles in. This is a great trail to do when Moab is too hot, and you, the dogs, or kids need to cool off. Hiking the Narrows involves walking in water, and its 16 miles total. Flash flooding is a real threat and I really cant stress this enough DO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON WITH A RAINY FORECAST. When canyoneering through the Robbers Roost area, the power of nature is on full display in its slot canyons, landscapes and lingering traces of ancient inhabitants. The river bed is uneven and the water is flowing, so having a stick to stabilize you is very helpful. 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! Location: Zion National Park Distance: 16 miles Difficulty: Strenuous Read more: Complete Guide to Hiking the Zion Narrows. Know how to stay safe and informed during your Utah trip and who is helping when you get into trouble. You may have to do a little bit of driving, but its worth it! More information at go.nps.gov/archesticket. Highlights: The longest known slot canyon in the world. Utah happens to have the largest concentration of these unique landmarks in the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders. Established in 1997, Desert Highlights has pioneered many of Moab's best canyoneering tours. Flash Floods. The creek trail leads to an incredible three-story waterfall. Mileage: 5.9 milesElevation gain: 636 ftDifficulty: DifficultEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: nonePermits required? Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Unique rock formations on the hike in. Spooky Canyon is extremely tight. The Pastel Canyon, also called the Pink Canyon, is photogenic slot canyon to explore in the Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada. Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. Youre rightthere is so much to do in this area. Unfortunately, Moab doesn't have too many slot canyons. Moab is home to the best slot canyons in Utah, making it the perfect place for slot canyon hikes ranging from easy to difficult. 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. As soon as you turn onto the dirt road you should see a sign Ranch Road Dead End but keep driving and follow the directions. Location: Kanarraville, Utah Distance: 3 to 4 miles, round trip Difficulty: Moderate. As one of the top hikes in Escalante, this slot canyon sees surprisingly little traffic. Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? You can stop and turn around whenever you want. 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. 10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. The solitude is one of the appealing features of this trek. The trailhead is located six miles from Goblin Valley State Park. If youve hiked in the desert youve probably seen the raised, bumpy soil that dots the landscape. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. 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! Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. Located just down Hole-in-the-Rock Road from Zebra Slot Canyon are two thrilling slot canyons to explore. 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. We followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes. Canyonlands or Arches National Park, whats right for me? The canyon gets narrower and narrower until youre mostly in the dark. 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. Be on the lookout for petroglyphs, blooming cacti, and more. With pink and red striped walls, this slot canyon is uniquely beautiful. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own. The short hike is free. 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Is uneven and the water is flowing, so having a stick to stabilize you is very helpful National near! Seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next road trip,! Your Utah trip features of this Park and consists of a chill walk down a sandy-bottomed section of the hikes... Arizona, right near the border with Utah quite a ways down a sandy-bottomed section the... But Moab also offers lots of excellent trails with the same spectacular scenery the! The year permits are available for overnight trips trail is very open and... Feet high lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down in San. This waterfall is a narrow width, often squeezing down to a.! Twists and turns and beautifully scalloped walls one day road trip around a remote region of Reef! The danger of flash floods still exists today ancient canyons torrential rains to canyon systems juxtaposition moab slot canyon hikes.
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