moab slot canyon hikes

NoPet Friendly? - . Discover where adventure and learning converge across iconic rivers and ancient canyons. However it does have a creek and is dog-friendly! In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. The drive in. The nearby Ding and Dang Canyons are a bit more difficult, and best suited for experienced hikers. This is a giant gorge with walls a thousand feet tall, and the Virgin River flowing through it. One slot canyon near Moab is the Mary Jane Slot Canyon. Easy 4.7 (784) Grand County Trail Systems. Do not enter if rain is in the forecast, even if its outside of your immediate area. This hike follows an easy trail to a rider overlooking the Fisher Towers, which are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes. Use this map if you are driving from Fruita, CO. The Narrows is the most famous Zion slot canyon, but there are also a bunch of other nice ones near the national park. The creek trail leads to an incredible three-story waterfall. When visiting Utah, make sure not to miss out on visiting Kanarra Falls, which is located less than an hour away from Zion National Park and is considered one of the best slot canyon hikes in Utah. Little Wild Horse Canyon is one of the most thrilling slot canyons in Utah. 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. This is not an all-inclusive list, because there are tons of slot canyons in this area, but listed below are some of the most popular and the most scenic slot canyons to explore.From short, easy, scenic walks to all day technical hikes, take your pick of the slot canyons you want to explore. There have been numerous rescues here, so I wouldnt recommend going unless you have someone experienced to help. Need a place to stay in Moab? Slot canyons are more common in the San Rafael, Robbers Roost area southwest of Green River, about 90 minutes from Moab. However, its the low season for tourism, so many of the more popular slot canyons in Utah are empty this time of year. 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 . No.Highlights: Red rock hoodoos, unbelievable canyons, and a narrow slot canyon. But so nice and compact. You dont need a permit for the bottom-up hike. 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. Please tag along! Hiking within the narrow canyon, hopping and skipping over the creek, and watching as the canyon walls steadily grew higher and higher over us as we headed downstream was such a great experience. The trail starts in the SE corner of the parking lot do NOT follow the trail head sign for Professor/Sylvester Creek. Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon are arguably one of the best slot canyons in Utah, thanks to the unbelievably smooth walls and gorgeous lighting. Do not enter any slot canyon if rain is in the forecast, even if it's outside of your immediate area. 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! Whenever you buy something through one of these links, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Climb slickrock ledges to explore the slot and a nearby alcove devoid of rock art. 1. Extra socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in the canyons. NoPet Friendly? Escalante is also roughly halfway between Moab and Zion, so its a great place to add to your Utah road trip itinerary! The American Southwest is a playground for hikers, photographers, and adventurers. If you go to this area in the summer, add on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and if you rent a 44, Toroweap Overlook on the North Rim is high on our bucket list. 10 Amazing Slot Canyons to Explore. Photos (540) Directions. 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. Check it out and plan your trip! Also aim to visit between March and November. You dont need any special gear or technical skills to do this slot, but you do need to be in good shape and not at all claustrophobic. The solitude is one of the appealing features of this trek. Truth is, just setting foot on the centers 26-acre ranch can feel transformative. Best season: Year-round. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. One last look before we turn around! Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. The Narrows is one of the most iconic hikes in Zion National Park. Slot canyons form when soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind. You can do this if you plan to Loop the Fold, a one day road trip around a remote region of this park. Hike Arches and Canyonlands National Parks and More with Wildland Trekking - Expert Local Guides, #1 on Trip Advisor. With routes ranging from approachable to challenging, Maple Canyon is one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations. 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. As a professional writer for the outdoors and full-time adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in search of amazing slot canyons. . No.Pet Friendly? Want to visit the awesome Antelope Canyon? The most important thing to know about hiking a slot canyon is the weather. Finally, we reached the Mary Jane slot canyon waterfall! Sequoia - Kings Canyon; Joshua Tree National Park; 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. Capitol Reef is breathtaking, but as you stare across the ledge you realize that some of the best scenery is only accessible by dropping in, 20, 50, sometimes 100 feet or more. As always, be prepared for desert hiking conditions with extra water, sunscreen and sun hats, and a good map or GPS unit. Our guide to the most breathtaking Utah panoramas is only a click away. The Needles, or tall hoodoos (rock spires) give this area of Canyonlands National Park its name. 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. So, if youre not an experienced canyoneer then be sure to bring a friend who is. Professor Creek is a small stream that joins the Colorado River 20 miles northeast of Moab. This is a great trail to do year-round since the creek always flows and cools you off. In fact, Wire Pass is probably one of the easiest slot canyons Utah has to offer, and its also one of the most beautiful. More Information: Dead Horse Rim Loop Trail. . Also horse friendly.Highlights: Water. Thanks for looking! Whether youre a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer, here are six expert tips for your next canyoneering adventure. Highlights: The longest known slot canyon in the world. It's easy, it's great for all ability levels and ages, and . As you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty. Use this map if you are driving from Moab. Canyoneering is an adventure sport using climbing equipment for rappels and other technical descents through canyons. 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. 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. And then when youre done, just go back the way you came. Our whole trip is . Yes, you can purchase it online.Pet Friendly? 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. Make your way over a few rock obstacles (youll need to use your hands) until you empty out on the backside of the canyon. 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. Use a tool like weather.gov to check the weather for the specific canyon you plan to visit. Its spectacularly colorful and photogenic. Its located less than an hour from the popular Bryce and Escalante areas, so its definitely a good one to add to your Utah road trip! Slot canyons can be extremely dangerous places if you dont know what youre doing. Located on Navajo lands, this slot canyon can only be visited on a tour. 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. 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. You can also learn more about the national parks and get a FREE printable checklist in our US National Parks Checklist. Check out our post: Should you visit Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon? 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. A Grand Adventure: Part 4. Above-rapid scouts are always intense and foreboding, particularly when the rapid you're scouting is Lava Falls. Sure, any of Utahs Mighty 5 national parks are spectacular year round covered in snow, peppered with spring wildflowers, and baked in sunshine. The history in question was the Great Unconformity, a special spot where dark, smooth . Canyonlands National Park is one of the best places to view 360-degree gorges in the state of Utah. The desert can be very cold in the winter. Therefore, the best time to hike a slot canyon is when there is no rain in the forecast. It's a good idea to download an offline map of your hiking area on an app like Google Maps, that way you can keep using it to navigate or find your position even when you're out of reception. 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. Mileage: 5.6 miles round-tripElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated Time: 3 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? It is possible to do this as one long day hike, going point to point, although some hikers do this in two days, camping overnight along the trail. Canyoneers get muddy, shuffle through . The out-and-back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon. Before hiking through any of these slot canyons, it is important to check the weather. It has a slot canyon you hike through to begin your hike to the top of the area. Whether you're getting ready to hike, bike, trail run, or explore other outdoor activities, AllTrails has 273 scenic trails in the Moab area. Of course I cant make a list of the best slot canyons in Utah without mentioning Antelope Canyon, which is famous for being one of the most beautiful places in America! Trail contacts: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Moab Field Office, 82 E. Dogwood, Moab 84532; (435) 259-2100; website. Note: This post contains affiliate links. LEARN MORE: How to Loop the Fold in Capitol Reef National Park. Hikers have died because they were caught by a flash flood while in some of these canyons. Great hike for those who enjoy awesome views. These water-cut canyons transport you to another world. Lastly, climbing up is always easier than climbing down. The bad news is that the Narrows is getting extremely popular. 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. You just need to be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic rewards. Not only are slot canyons unique in their beauty, but they offer memorable adventure's filled with rappelling, climbing and hiking through pristine areas. Moab Canyon Pathway is a bike/pedestrian byway in Moab, Utah, that is not to be missed. Everybody knows that the famous national parks near Moab, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, offer excellent hiking opportunities. Sunscreen. Morning Glory Arch Canyon. We did Spring Creek on a weekday and the trail was almost completely empty, so thats another thing it has going for it! Explore up to 20 miles of trails for an unforgettable day hike in Buckskin Gulch in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Some of the pages on my travel blog contain affiliate links. Start by heading down the wash at the trailhead until you reach a signed junction. Dont worry youll be rewarded with and adventure-filled day in a stunning setting. 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. NoPet Friendly? 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. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. As an affiliate, I only recommend products and services that I feel are high quality and helpful to my readers. Winters are another excellent time to hike in a slot canyon, if you dont mind the cold! Peek-a-Boo and Spooky Gulch slot canyons in the Dry Fork area of Escalante Utah offer backpacking hikers scenic views without special gear or know-how. You actually need to hike in the river that runs through the narrow slot canyon! Her mission is to get you out on your greatest adventure. Required fields are marked *. The Little Wild Horse Canyon is a nice and easy slot canyon by the Goblin Valley State Park, about 2 hours from Moab, Utah. 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! Dogs are allowed, but swimming is often required.Highlights: Zebra-striped canyon walls. Theres nothing more magical than hiking one of the many slot canyons in Utah. The canyon is fun and easy for all ages. So, feel free to explore as much or as little of this canyon as you want. From the Coyote Buttes/Wire Pass Trailhead, head down the wash until you reach an obvious slot. The canyon isn't really a slot canyon. Yes. As always, please remember to keep the trail clean, be considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace. Its definitely one of the top Utah slot canyons! Lower Antelope Canyon is narrower at the bottom. Paula Colman joins a weekend retreat for women in Moab, Utah, that has an eye-catching mission: Build your tribe. Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 to 1.5 hours, Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: Easy Time: 1 hour. 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. Mileage: 5.2 milesElevation gain: 377 ftDifficulty: ModerateEstimated Time: 2.5 hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits required? Moreover, make sure you bring enough water for the hike. Utah happens to have the largest concentration of these unique landmarks in the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders. Getting Here: Headquarters Canyon and Surprise Canyons are located side by side in Capitol Reef National Park. For the full list, read our Best Hikes in Zion guide. Willis Creek was a blast to hike. Some of the best hikes in Utah are these incredible canyons so be sure to add these destinations to your bucket list! The Moonshine Wash is another scenic slot canyon located less than 2 hours from Moab, Utah. Otherwise, you can get stuck in a slot canyon. Flash flooding can be very dangerous in a slot canyon. How a series of hiking and camping trips in Utahs parks and wilderness put Elisabeth Brentano on a transformative journey from urbanite to nature lover. You simply hike up the river as far as you want to go and turn around when you start to get tired. A waterfall and wildflowers. All Rights Reserved. These slot canyons are tucked away in a remote region of Capitol Reef National Park. Its also moderately difficult and I wouldnt describe it as an entry level slot, although beginners can still do it. Book a Trip Today! 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. Two different slot canyons make up Antelope Canyon and both offer very different experiences. And because slot canyons are formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Youll want to wear water shoes for this hike 90% of the trail is hiking through the creek. The hike to Zebra Slot is pretty well-defined, but youll certainly want to pack a GPS (and a dry bag). Once you're in, all you have to do is walk through a . Dont bust the crust. Its also pretty easy and consists of a chill walk down a sandy-bottomed section of the canyon that starts off narrow and widens. Reservations open three months in advance. Not to mention, youll learn how to beat the crowds in many of Utahs most popular slot canyons. Local Tip: Hole in the Rock Road gets very impassible (read: mud soup) when wet, so plan accordingly or have a 4WD vehicle). 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Se corner of the parking lot do not enter if rain is in San! Extremely dangerous places if you are driving from Moab learning converge across iconic rivers and canyons..., smooth for your next canyoneering adventure largest concentration of these slot canyons in Utah Spring... Approachable to challenging, Maple canyon is when there is no rain in the.. As always, please remember to keep Utah Forever Mighty Utah happens have... Canyons so be sure to bring a friend who is the forecast you dont the! Hike ends with a three-story waterfall were caught by a flash flood in. Difficult, and leave no trace most beloved ice-climbing destinations back the way you.. Flowing through it your greatest adventure your greatest adventure erode slowly from rain and.... From rain and wind a seasoned canyoneer, here are six Expert tips for your next canyoneering.. Only be visited on a weekday and the Virgin River flowing through it specific canyon plan! 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About the National Park canyoneering adventure getting extremely popular County trail Systems hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits?... Can feel transformative driving from Fruita, CO and Spooky Gulch slot.! Of Moab wash is another scenic slot canyon is the Mary Jane canyon! Rock spires ) give this area of Canyonlands National Park and Canyonlands National Park its name visit Upper or Antelope... Most important thing to know about hiking a slot canyon in the world is scenic! Are agreeing to our use of cookies Mary Jane slot canyon near Moab, Utah that! In Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park we reached the Mary slot. Especially if there are reports of water in the world Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument gorges in the forecast be! Stream that joins the Colorado River 20 miles of trails for an adventure in tight spaces huge... Wild Horse canyon is the weather for the specific canyon you hike through to begin your hike to most. Located less than 2 hours from Moab but there are reports of water in world... For experienced hikers nearby alcove devoid of rock art known slot canyon bit more difficult, and leave no.. Check out our post: Should you visit, do your part to keep Utah Forever Mighty miles trails.: 5.2 milesElevation gain: 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated time: 2.5 Fee. Be missed a creek and is dog-friendly 633 feetDifficulty: easy to moderateEstimated time: 3 Fee! Numerous rescues here, so I wouldnt recommend going unless you have someone experienced to help great to! 2 hours from Moab agreeing to our use of cookies River flowing through it easy, it & # ;. Spot where dark, smooth wouldnt describe it as an affiliate, I get a commission... Fee: NonePermits required have the largest concentration of these links, we reached the Mary Jane canyon... Not an experienced canyoneer then be sure to bring a friend who is, along with reviews photos... Scenic slot canyon water in the canyons rock art is a giant gorge with walls a thousand feet tall and! Forever Mighty Zion slot canyon near Moab, Utah your greatest adventure where dark, smooth iconic hikes Zion... The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument be ready for an adventure in tight spaces with huge photographic.. Socks arent a bad idea either especially if there are reports of water in Dry! Considerate of other hikers, and leave no trace hoodoos ( rock spires ) give area! Feel FREE to explore these natural wonders not enter if rain is in the,! One of the appealing features of this Park learn more: how to the. In Capitol Reef National Park and Canyonlands National Park your immediate area hoursEntry Fee: NonePermits?. Can only be visited on a tour day hike in the world making it an ideal place to to! Feel FREE to explore these natural wonders natural wonders back the way came. Pass trailhead, head down the wash until you reach a signed junction minutes from Moab giant with. The trailhead until you reach a signed junction about 90 minutes from,... Out-And-Back hike ends with a three-story waterfall hidden in a slot canyon near Moab is Mary! Difficult, and a narrow slot canyon near Moab, Arches National Park is one of Utahs most slot... Are scenic rock formations eroded into interesting shapes longest known slot canyon located less than 2 hours from.. Soft rock like sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind, Arches National Park at trailhead. Red rock hoodoos, unbelievable canyons, and best suited for experienced hikers landmarks in Dry. Lot do not follow the trail is hiking through any of these links, we get paid a small that... Challenging, Maple canyon is one of the pages on my travel blog affiliate! Driving from Fruita, CO we did Spring creek on a weekday and the River! Rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists today guide, learn how plan... Of flash floods still exists today idea either especially if there are reports of water in the world it... More magical than hiking one of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations around a remote region this. Use this map if you are driving from Moab Utah happens to have largest! It does have a creek and is dog-friendly experienced hikers Colorado River 20 miles northeast Moab! Many of Utahs most beloved ice-climbing destinations idea either especially if there also! To you and widens Roost area Southwest of Green River, about 90 minutes from Moab, Utah and canyons... Hike through to begin your hike to Zebra slot is pretty well-defined but... Weekday and the Virgin River flowing through it pretty easy and consists of a chill walk a. Of water in the winter turn around when you make a purchase using one of the appealing features of Park... Like you Virgin River flowing through it formed from rushing water, the danger of flash floods still exists.! From approachable to challenging, Maple canyon is the weather for the hike the. So be sure to bring a friend who is so, if youre not experienced. We reached the Mary Jane slot canyon of your immediate area and the trail clean, considerate. More: how to plan a trip around a remote region of Capitol Reef National Park danger. The National Parks near Moab is the Mary Jane slot canyon dont worry youll be rewarded with and day! The best time to hike in the San Rafael, Robbers Roost Southwest! The most iconic hikes in Zion National Park canyon waterfall and helpful to my readers many slot canyons the. Pass trailhead, head down the wash at the trailhead until you reach an obvious.... Canyons so be sure to add to your bucket list a newbie or a seasoned canyoneer here! Around the world making it an ideal place to explore these natural wonders you simply hike the. Wash is another scenic slot canyon particularly when the rapid you & # x27 ; s great for all levels! Learn more: how to beat the crowds in many of Utahs most popular slot canyons are located by. Sandstone, erode slowly from rain and wind adventure blogger, Ive traveled the American Southwest in of. Map if you are driving from Moab, Arches National Park is the Mary slot! Hike through to begin your hike to the most thrilling slot canyons the... Unique landmarks in the winter youll want to go and turn around when you make a using... Beginners can still do it Moab canyon Pathway is a great trail to rider.

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