I hiked that one about 5 years ago, so I dont have a blog post for that trail. This is another neat slot canyon hike located about 2 hours from Moab, but its not for beginners. 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. Dont become a statistic! Visit Utah for spelunking and cave exploration. At the end of the amazing Negro Bill Canyon is the Morning Glory bridge trail and it makes for a pretty amazing hike. 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. Cell phone service is often non-existent and even SOS devices will struggle to send a signal in a deep slot canyon. You can stop and turn around whenever you want. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, etc. 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. Need a place to stay in Moab? Scratching your name on the walls and destroying ancient rock art with your own markings are actually federal felonies, so dont do it. The easiest (and prettiest) way to access the heart of this incredible canyon system is via the Wire Pass slot canyon. Will you be brave enough to stand under the falls?! Bring layers. Its a fun and unique hiking challenge. We have not hiked all of these slot canyons, at least not yet. 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. This is actually a living organism (called cryptobiotic soil)! Flash Floods. Take advantage of the variety of climbing available to enjoy this scenic winter climbing destination. Mileage: 15.5 milesElevation gain: 1,017 feetDifficulty: DifficultEstimated Time: About 8 hours for the bottom-up hike and two days for the top-down trail.Entry Fee: $35Permits required? Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . Canyoneering is an adventure sport using climbing equipment for rappels and other technical descents through canyons. 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. Location: Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, near Cannonville Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Easy Read more: Hiking Willis Creek Canyon. The World Travel Guy 2023 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. Hiking from Mooney Falls to the Colorado River! If you visit youll probably find standing water at the bottom. Hiking to Ribbon Falls, Grand Canyon National Park. Have you done these? Its narrow and the colors are terrific. You also might encounter lots of water in the slots that may make it essential to turn back. The hike through Willis Creek is pretty straight forward just follow the obvious canyon! The small park is absolutely worth a day-trip, and the loop hike around the main viewpoints is nice and family-friendly. While the "zebra" portion lasts roughly ten minutes or so. Buckskin Gulch is labeled as the longest slot canyon in the world, 21 miles one way. Sunscreen. 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. 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! Ding & Dang Canyon requires some technical ability since theres climbing and occasionally deep water. 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 . Hike Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and More with Wildland Trekking - Expert Local Guides, #1 on Trip Advisor. We followed the dry trail for about 10 minutes. When people refer to Antelope Canyon, they are usually referring to Upper Antelope Canyon. Hiking the Narrows involves walking in water, and its 16 miles total. Brimstone Gulch is what many Utah slot canyons aspire to be. Side note: Always be aware of the weather forecast before entering a slot canyon. Canyonlands or Arches National Park, whats right for me? Its time to pull the plugliterally. Dont worry youll be rewarded with and adventure-filled day in a stunning setting. Canyonlands is home to many different types of travel experiences, from sublime solitude in the more remote stretches of the park to moderate hikes through the Needles district to the opportunity to create your own version of one of the West's most photographed landforms, Mesa Arch. In Utah, you can find far-flung places to reset, wellness resorts that promote digital detox, and destinations where you can swap screen time for much-needed adventure time. This is a giant gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, and the Virgin River flowing through it. 7- 9 Hours. 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. Discover this 8.4-mile out-and-back trail near Moab, Utah. UTAHS MIGHTY 5: Utahs Mighty 5 is a collection of five national parks in Utah. The out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. This is a great one for beginners. A permit is necessary, even if you do it as a day hike. The Red Hollow Slot Canyon is a short and easy hike in Orderville, Utah, not too far from the popular Zion and Bryce national parks. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Mileage: 5.6 miles round-tripElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated Time: 3 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. 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. Believe it or not. Youre rightthere is so much to do in this area. Plan a photographic getaway today! Definitely come prepared and be aware of your surroundings as you hike. The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. Peekaboo Canyon may be our favorite slot canyon Utah has to offer. Experience one of the most unique slot canyons in Utah with the Spooky and Peek a Boo Canyon loop. The end result is a narrow canyon with very high walls. Parts of the slot canyon can be challenging to hike through but your reward is seeing these extraordinary striped canyon walls. Read More: Peekaboo And Spooky Slot Canyons. Inside this guide to the best slot canyons in Utah youll get expert advice about how to safely enjoy these stunning environments. Book a Trip Today! No.Pet Friendly? Best for: Families can totally do this slot. 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. A perfect day of Rocks-and-River: combine a half day of canyoneering with a late day Colorado River rafting tour! Its an essential part of keeping erosion in check in the desert. Mileage: 5.9 milesElevation gain: 636 ftDifficulty: DifficultEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: nonePermits required? Travel quite a ways down a series of rocky ledges until you reach a basin. 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). Mileage: 1.9 milesElevation Gain: 492 feetDifficulty: EasyEstimated Time: 1 hour. Excellent hike for those who want to enjoy arches far from the crowds in Arches National Park. Watch this video of a guided experience canyoneering in the remote Robbers Roost. We have not hiked Buckskin Gulch or Coyote Gulch yet, and dont know enough about them to offer any advice. A slot canyon is a narrow canyon that is formed from water rushing through rock. 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. This is a great one for beginners. 14+ people - call for pricing and availability. Learn more about the parks and how to plan your visit in our Guide to Utahs Mighty 5. Its narrower, but not really the iconic slot canyon. ADULT (13+) $129 . Hiking slot canyons in the summer can be extremely dangerous. Arguably the most beautiful slot canyon on this list, this is also the most popular. Willis Creek is fun to explore. Adventure, Responsible Travel, Climbing and Canyoneering. Climb slickrock ledges to explore the slot and a nearby alcove devoid of rock art. A 1000 foot elevation gain/loss in 2.5 miles leads way to beautiful spires, tight slot canyons, and incredible river views. Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 to 1.5 hours, Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 hour. 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. Generally, spring and fall are the best seasons for desert hiking, since the temps are mild and the weather is manageable. The Narrows is the most famous Zion slot canyon, but there are also a bunch of other nice ones near the national park. 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. The Willis Creek Slot Canyon is another short and easy trail through some scenic narrows in southern Utah, with wavy vanilla-colored rocks and impressive passageways. Directions From Moab, take U.S. Highway 191 north to . Finally, we reached the Mary Jane slot canyon waterfall! Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. Your email address will not be published. This is one of the best slot canyons in Utah that is part of the Peek-a-Boo Slot Canyon and Spooky Gulch trek. Utah offers all kinds of adventurous day trips for visitors start planning your getaway today. Note: This post contains affiliate links. rappelling, walking across fins, exploring slot canyons and enjoying the magnificent views from a whole new . The Moonshine Wash is another scenic slot canyon located less than 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Even on a slot canyon hike, there are still plenty of parts on the trail where you'll be exposed to direct sun, so you might want sunscreen. Also horse friendly.Highlights: Water. If you are planning a road trip through the USA, visit our United States Travel Guide for more inspiration and travel planning tips. Pack out your poop. Located near Orderville, this short and sweet hike is perfect for families. A maze of soaring sandstone towers surrounds you on this moderate hike to a high ridge above Onion Creek. Youll definitely want to wear water/hiking shoes. 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. This is a great trail to do when Moab is too hot, and you, the dogs, or kids need to cool off. Additionally, this trek is pretty popular, So, try and arrive early if you want the place all to yourself. 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! 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. No.Highlights: Scrambling, canyoneering skills, beautiful rock formations and a stunning drive to the canyon. However, you do need a permit for the lesser-visited top-down hike.Pet Friendly? Moderate climbing, a fixed rope line, and extremely deep and narrow slots prevent this from being dog-friendly.Highlights: Super-narrow canyon, small climb in the beginning, an arch within the slot canyon. Duration: Approximately 5 hrs. Flash flooding is a real threat and I really cant stress this enough DO NOT ENTER A SLOT CANYON WITH A RAINY FORECAST. 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